Orchard Park, New York - The New England Patriots marched into a controlling lead in the AFC East after rushing their way to a big road win over their division rivals, the Buffalo Bills.

The Patriots beat the Bills 14-10 in a low-scoring but physically punishing game that had New England winning their seventh-straight game this season.

Rushing the ball was the name of the game Monday night for the Patriots as the windy weather forced both teams to tweak their offensive game plans.

New England relied very heavily on their running game as their rookie quarterback Mac Jones (23) threw just three – yes, three – passes for two completions.

After a few three-and-outs between both teams, the Patriots scored first to go up 8-0. That was followed right back with a touchdown by the Bills to pull within one, late in the first quarter.

The Patriots kicked a field goal in the second quarter to extend their lead, but then the Bills cut the deficit back to one again with three points of their own in the third.

Opening the fourth quarter, all New England needed was one more field goal, as their defense completely shut down every shot the Bills took to score more points before running out of time in the end.

The Patriots used a strong ground game to manhandle the Bills, led by third-year running back Damien Harris, who had his best game yet of the season.

He ran for a 64-yard touchdown, untouched, to give his team the lead in the first quarter, a lead that New England would never give up.

The 24-year-old Harris finished the game with only 10 carries, but more than made up for it by totaling 111 rushing yards and scored his team’s all-important lone touchdown.

In a game where passing wasn’t the best method for success, the Patriots simply had the stronger rushing attack.

They ran right through Buffalo’s defense, a defense that came into Monday night averaging less than 100 rushing yards per game.

New England piled up over twice as many yards on the ground on their way to a gritty win.

These two teams play again in three weeks, but it’s certainly safe to say that regardless of the weather conditions, the Patriots have Buffalo’s number going forward.

Next Saturday, the Patriots (9-4) will be on the road to take on the Colts (7-6) while this Sunday, the Bills (7-5) head down to Tampa to play against the Buccaneers (9-3).