{"numbering":"asc","slides":[{"index":1,"title":"","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/24/spark_patriots_report_card_122419.jpg","caption":"

Tom Brady went into Saturday's matchup with the Bills having been consistently frustrated by Sean McDermott's defense. He averaged just 216 yards passing and racked up three touchdowns against five interceptions in five games with McDermott running the show in Buffalo.

Brady drove a stake through that trend with authority over the weekend, working his way through perhaps his best and most efficient game of the season — particularly considering the competition. He went 26-for-33 for 217 yards and a touchdown, helping the Patriots through drives of 11 plays (twice) and 17 plays. Brady and his teammates controlled the clock for nearly 39 minutes.

No surprise then that the 42-year-old quarterback — and the rest of the offense — finished with high marks. Let's get to 'em . . .

"},{"index":3,"title":"QUARTERBACK: A-","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/24/tom_brady_122119.jpg","caption":"

Brady completed his first nine passes and did so with what was, at times, remarkable accuracy. Those first nine completions included a tight-window throw to Julian Edelman to convert a third-down, a well-placed jump-ball to Matt LaCosse, and a scramble-drill throw when he bought himself time to find Mohamed Sanu over the middle.

He also threw a block, which you might've seen, and snuck in for a first down. He deserved to be in the A-range for that performance against that defense.

"},{"index":5,"title":"RUNNING BACK: A-","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/24/rex_burkhead_122119.jpg","caption":"

If not for Rex Burkhead's fumble on the game's opening drive, this mark would've been even higher. Burkhead ended up redeeming himself and then some with his work in the screen game — and a wheel route that took advantage of the Bills looking for a screen — later in the game.

His ability to run through Lorenzo Alexander's tackle at the goal line was a next-level type of effort, as was the moment when he fought through contact on third down to pick up a first deep in Bills territory early in the game.

James White caught all four of his targets and Sony Michel ran for 96 yards on 21 carries, a whopping 81 of which came after contact.

"},{"index":7,"title":"RECEIVER: B","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/24/julian_edelman_vs_bills_122119.jpg","caption":"

Bit of a mixed bag from this group, though their high-end play was truly high-end. Julian Edelman showed what he was capable of in single-coverage — the Bills must've assumed his injuries meant he wasn't worthy of a double — by reeling in five of six targets for 72 yards. (His 30-yard catch-and-run was this week's Turning Point.)

When Edelman was out, Jakobi Meyers filled in ably with three catches on three targets, including one of the contested variety. Fellow rookie N'Keal Harry — solidly the No. 3 receiver for the team at this point — broke a tackle and had one nice catch and run for 12 yards. He also took a reverse for chunk gain.

Mohamed Sanu, meanwhile, had a forgettable day. He didn't block anyone on a failed fourth-and-one end-around to Harry. He and Tom Brady appeared to be on different pages at points, as well. They could use more from him moving forward.

"},{"index":9,"title":"TIGHT END: B","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/24/matt_lacosse_122119.jpg","caption":"

We'll include Elandon Roberts in this group since the fullbacks traditionally meet with tight ends on a daily basis. Roberts doesn't want to be considered a fullback, but he made an impact with this one. His attitude alone was lauded by teammates and seemed to have a trickle-down effect attitude-wise for the entire offense.

Offensive linemen even admitted after that Roberts — who only just started to play the fullback position after injuries to James Develin and Jakob Johnson — was key in getting their running game going. Matching up one-on-one with Tremaine Edmunds for big collision after big collision Saturday, that led to some key gains by Michel and Burkhead, and it opened up the play-action passing game.

Factor in Matt LaCosse's touchdown grab and Ben Watson's concentration catch on third down — both in the red zone — and you have a solid day from this group.

"},{"index":11,"title":"OFFENSIVE LINE: B+","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/24/webp.net-resizeimage.jpg","caption":"

On several of those chunk gains on the ground when Roberts was involved, there was a large hole and a well-defined block to be made for the novice fullback thanks to the offensive line in front of him.

The interior of Ted Karras, Joe Thuney and Shaq Mason all carved out serious space against a talented Bills front, and then in the passing game they were the ones to typically get out in front for successful screens. Isaiah Wynn and Marshall Newhouse (in for an injured Marcus Cannon) both had occasional issues in pass-protection — Patriots backs did their part to help by often chipping the ends — but otherwise this unit had a rock solid day.

"},{"index":13,"title":"SPECIAL TEAMS: B","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/24/webp.net-resizeimage_1.jpg","caption":"

Mohamed Sanu very nearly turned over possession by fielding a dangerous bouncing punt at one point. No harm, no foul . . . but that didn't seem like the right call at the time. Jake Bailey was primarily booming his kicks into the end zone for touchbacks, and he only punted twice on the day.

Yet another step in the right direction for Nick Folk on Saturday after he made all three of his kicks — including a 51-yarder — and an extra point.

"},{"index":15,"title":"DEFENSIVE LINE: B+","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/24/webp.net-resizeimage_2.jpg","caption":"

Lawrence Guy doesn't get much in the way of praise due to the nature of his job.

He's a dirty-work guy. But he is — as Bill Belichick described him this week — in the conversation as among the most consistent players the Patriots have. He was in on multiple run-stuffs. He was in on two sacks. And he just missed a third sack when Josh Allen launched deep for a 53-yard touchdown to John Brown.

Adam Butler got into the backfield to notch a sack with Dont'a Hightower, while Deatrich Wise and Danny Shelton each had quarterback pressures of their own. Working together with the linebackers, this group helped hold rookie dynamo Devin Singletary to just 3.1 yards per carry.

"},{"index":17,"title":"LINEBACKER: A-","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/24/jamie_collins_122119.jpg","caption":"

Jamie Collins, Kyle Van Noy and Dont'a Hightower were all in on three run stuffs in this one, helping to contribute to Singletary's meager output. All three also had multiple pressures.

Hightower worked his way into the backfield on sacks — both coming off of games at the line of scrimmage that baffled Buffalo's protection. Jamie Collins had a hit and a hurry on the final snap for the Bills. Van Noy had a trio of pressures of his own. And John Simon got in for a sack as well.

"},{"index":19,"title":"SECONDARY: B","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/24/dawson_knox_catch_vs_patriots_122119.jpg","caption":"

John Brown has rare speed, but the Patriots have been one of the best teams in football at limiting explosive gains this season. They should've been able to keep him under wraps with safety help. But his route — where he looked to be running a corner that became a post — got Stephon Gilmore turned around and then exposed Devin McCourty to get beat in the open field.

The Patriots also allowed a long gain late in the first half with Dawson Knox got a step on Patrick Chung. That set up a walk-off field goal. This group got a little help from Josh Allen's general inaccuracy. Unfortunately for them, Jason McCourty had to leave with a groin injury, but that meant 29 snaps for rookie second-rounder Joejuan Williams.

J.C. Jackson spent a lot of time in the slot on Cole Beasley. Looks like that could be his role moving forward if Jonathan Jones continues to miss time.

"}]}

Patriots Report Card: Tom Brady solves Bills defense in crucial victory