Patriots beat Bills, 34-20
The Patriots hosted the Bills in the finale of the regular season.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff
| December 29, 2013
Julian Edelman recovered a first-quarter fumble by teammate Shane Vereen for a first down.
Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| December 29, 2013
Stevan Ridley was upended by Jairus Byrd after picking up 29 yards and a first down.
Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| December 29, 2013
Sealver Siliga forced Bills quarterback Thad Lewis to fumble.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff
| December 29, 2013
Edelman gained some yards after a catch.
Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| December 29, 2013
Chandler Jones celebrated after the Patriots' defense stopped the Bills on a fourth-and-one in the second quarter.
Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| December 29, 2013
LeGarrette Blount looked back at Jim Leonhard after a 36-yard touchdown run to add to the Patriots' lead.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff
| December 29, 2013
Danny Amendola celebrated with Blount after the second-quarter touchdown.
Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| December 29, 2013
Patriots fans sang along to Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Who'll Stop the Rain" as it was played over the loudspeakers.
Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| December 29, 2013
Edelman went airborne as he was sandwiched by Leodis McKelvin (left) and Leonhard after a 7-yard reception in the third quarter.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff
| December 29, 2013
Blount eluded the defenders on his 83-yard return.
Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| December 29, 2013
The Patriots celebrated Blount's return.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff
| December 29, 2013
Blount would finish the game with 24 carries for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| December 29, 2013
The Bills began to threaten the Patriots' lead in the second half.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff
| December 29, 2013
Tom Brady tried his foot at punting, getting off a 32-yarder against the Bills during third-quarter action.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff
| December 29, 2013
Blount was brought down by Nigel Bradham, creating a big splash.
Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| December 29, 2013
Combined with his 145 kick return yards, Blount set a franchise record with 334 all-purpose yards.
Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| December 29, 2013
The running back straight-armed Chris Hogan in a 62-yard return in the fourth quarter.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff
| December 29, 2013
Stephen Gostkowski watched the flight of his 35-yard field goal.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff
| December 29, 2013
Blount's dive to the end zone capped off a 35-yard touchdown run.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff
| December 29, 2013
The celebrations continued for Blount.
Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| December 29, 2013
Amendola jumped on Edelman after Edelman caught a pass for a 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter.
Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| December 29, 2013
Coach Bill Belichick had a smile and a hug for Blount after the running back was removed from the game late in the fourth quarter.
Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| December 29, 2013
Blount and the Patriots beat the Bills 34-20 and secured a first-round bye in the postseason.
Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| December 29, 2013
The Patriots also sewed up the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| December 29, 2013