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Patriots win with only three pass attempts in game vs. Bills
Mac Jones throws only three passes in the Patriots' victory over the Bills Monday night. Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots win with only three pass attempts in windy, snowy game vs. Bills

The New England Patriots put together an unorthodox game plan to deal with a windy, snowy night in Upstate New York and beat the Buffalo Bills, 14-10, despite attempting just three passes all game.

According to ESPN Stats and Info, the three pass attempts were the fewest for an NFL team since the Buffalo Bills threw just twice during a 1974 game against the New York Jets.

The wind was a factor right away Monday night with the opening kickoff from the Bills going through the end zone and landing several rows up into the stands. Later in the first quarter, the Patriots' Jake Bailey managed only a 15-yard punt with the wind in his face.

To combat the weather, the Patriots ran the ball 46 times, while quarterback Mac Jones completed two of his three attempts for 19 yards. Jones threw a 12-yard pass to tight end Jonnu Smith in the first quarter and didn't throw again until the fourth quarter when he attempted passes on back-to-back plays, completing one for seven yards.

Still, New England managed 241 yards of total offense, despite the one-dimensional game plan. Running back Damien Harris broke loose for a 64-yard touchdown, and Patriots kicker Nick Folk made 41- and 34-yard field goals.

Buffalo's offense was much more balanced with Josh Allen completing 15 of his 30 attempts for 145 yards and one touchdown. Kicker Tyler Bass missed a 33-yard field goal with fewer than eight minutes remaining, and the Bills turned the ball over on downs in the red zone on their last offensive possession of the game.

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