NFL game summary for 11/20/1977:
Sam Cunningham scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to help the 6-4 Patriots keep their playoff hopes alive. After a defensive struggle in the first half, Steve Grogan began moving the Patriots and keyed two drives with his strong running. He rushed for 81 yards and Don Calhoun added 80.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 166.4 (5) | 153.4 (12) | 319.9 (7) | 24 |
| DEFENSE | 126.3 (10) | 135.6 (10) | 261.9 (10) | 18 | |
 | OFFENSE | 138.6 (14) | 164.6 (8) | 303.1 (11) | 30 |
| DEFENSE | 157.7 (22) | 147.0 (14) | 304.7 (22) | 21 |
Line: Patriots by 10
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots (6-4-0) | 3 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 20 |
| Buffalo Bills (2-8-0) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
( 3- 0) NE John Smith 33 yard field goal
( 6- 0) NE John Smith 25 yard field goal
( 6- 7) BUF Jim Braxton 24 yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Carson Long kick)
(13- 7) NE Sam Cunningham 31 yard rush (John Smith kick)
(20- 7) NE Sam Cunningham 1 yard rush (John Smith kick)
NE BUF
First Downs: 19 11
Rushes-yards: 54-256 26-126
Yards/rush: 4.7 4.8
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 8-17-73-1 10-22-115-1
Sacked-yards: 0-0 4-32
Net pass yards: 73 83
Net yards/pass: 4.3 3.2
Total net yards: 329 209
Total plays: 71 (76% run) 52 (50% run)
Yards/play: 4.6 4.0
Fumbles-lost: 0-0 1-1
Turnovers: 1 2
Penalties-yards: 7-75 7-63
Attendance: 27,598
Passing:
NE: Steve Grogan, 8 of 17 for 73 yards (1 int) BUF: Joe Ferguson, 10 of 22 for 115 yards and 1 TD (1 int)
Rushing:
NE: Don Calhoun, 20 for 80 yards; Sam Cunningham, 17 for 69 yards and 2 TDs; Steve Grogan, 12 for 81 yards; Jess Phillips, 2 for 14 yards; Stanley Morgan, 1 for 10 yards; Horace Ivory, 1 for 1 yard; Ike Forte, 1 for 1 yard BUF: Roland Hooks, 14 for 64 yards; Joe Ferguson, 5 for 47 yards; Jim Braxton, 5 for 12 yards; Mike Collier, 2 for 3 yards
Receiving:
NE: Don Calhoun, 3 for 21 yards; Darryl Stingley, 2 for 36 yards; Al Chandler, 2 for 14 yards; Sam Cunningham, 1 for 2 yards BUF: Jim Braxton, 3 for 40 yards and 1 TD; Reuben Gant, 2 for 24 yards; Bob Chandler, 2 for 22 yards; Lou Piccone, 2 for 22 yards; Mike Collier, 1 for 7 yards
Kick returns:
NE: Raymond Clayborn, 1 for 26 yards; Doug Beaudoin, 1 for 15 yards BUF: John Kimbrough, 2 for 43 yards; Keith Moody, 2 for 25 yards
Punt returns:
NE: Stanley Morgan, 4 for 133 yards; Ike Forte, 1 for 6 yards; Doug Beaudoin, 1 for 0 yards BUF: Keith Moody, 2 for 14 yards
Interceptions:
NE: Bob Howard, 1 for 3 yards BUF: Mario Clark, 1 for 3 yards
Punting:
NE: Mike Patrick, 3 for 100 yards BUF: Marv Bateman, 6 for 275 yards
Field Goals:
NE: John Smith, 2/3
NE: Steve Grogan, 8 of 17 for 73 yards (1 int) BUF: Joe Ferguson, 10 of 22 for 115 yards and 1 TD (1 int)
Rushing:
NE: Don Calhoun, 20 for 80 yards; Sam Cunningham, 17 for 69 yards and 2 TDs; Steve Grogan, 12 for 81 yards; Jess Phillips, 2 for 14 yards; Stanley Morgan, 1 for 10 yards; Horace Ivory, 1 for 1 yard; Ike Forte, 1 for 1 yard BUF: Roland Hooks, 14 for 64 yards; Joe Ferguson, 5 for 47 yards; Jim Braxton, 5 for 12 yards; Mike Collier, 2 for 3 yards
Receiving:
NE: Don Calhoun, 3 for 21 yards; Darryl Stingley, 2 for 36 yards; Al Chandler, 2 for 14 yards; Sam Cunningham, 1 for 2 yards BUF: Jim Braxton, 3 for 40 yards and 1 TD; Reuben Gant, 2 for 24 yards; Bob Chandler, 2 for 22 yards; Lou Piccone, 2 for 22 yards; Mike Collier, 1 for 7 yards
Kick returns:
NE: Raymond Clayborn, 1 for 26 yards; Doug Beaudoin, 1 for 15 yards BUF: John Kimbrough, 2 for 43 yards; Keith Moody, 2 for 25 yards
Punt returns:
NE: Stanley Morgan, 4 for 133 yards; Ike Forte, 1 for 6 yards; Doug Beaudoin, 1 for 0 yards BUF: Keith Moody, 2 for 14 yards
Interceptions:
NE: Bob Howard, 1 for 3 yards BUF: Mario Clark, 1 for 3 yards
Punting:
NE: Mike Patrick, 3 for 100 yards BUF: Marv Bateman, 6 for 275 yards
Field Goals:
NE: John Smith, 2/3