Brady leads Pats to top seed, beats Bills 49-21

"It slowed us down," Fitzpatrick said.

Coach Chan Gailey didn't use Johnson after he was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct when he scored and raised his jersey to reveal an undershirt with the message "Happy New Year!" on it.

"I can't complain about it or whine and pout. He made his decision and I am going with it," Johnson said. "What I did hurt my teammates."

The Patriots defense also stepped up with four interceptions, all in the second half. Fitzpatrick completed 29 of 46 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns. Brady was 23 for 35 for 338 with three touchdown passes and one interception.

New England set the NFL record for most yards passing allowed, 4,727. The previous mark of 4,541 was set by the Atlanta Falcons in 1995.

The competition should be tougher in their next game, so that defense will have to be stingier. Especially early in the game.

"Every team in the playoffs is good," Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo said. "To be honest, it would be tough to come back against them if we're behind 21-0."

Notes: Belichick became the only coach in NFL history with at least 13 regular-season wins in five different seasons. ... The Patriots outgained the Bills 296 yards to 107 in the second half. ... Rookie Stevan Ridley led the Patriots with a career-high 81 yards rushing. ... Wes Welker had six catches for 51 yards and led the NFL with 122 receptions and 1,569 yards receiving.