A win is a win. That aphorism has been thrown around a lot, but for the New England Patriots, the phrase felt really true on Monday night.

The Patriots maintained their top spot in the AFC East with a 9-4 slate, although it took an ugly victory to do so after escaping the Buffalo Bills on the road, 14-10. It didn't feel like a win win, the Patriots were just a tad better.

Quite uncharacteristically, rookie sensation Mac Jones only attempted a mind-numbing three passes all game for a whopping 19 yards. Luckily, they still got the job done. After the game, even Jones himself couldn't fully explain what happened (via Patriots reporter Zack Cox).

“(The win is) something that we'll never forget for many years to come. I don't think there will be a game like that for a long time.”

Maybe the cold bothered him anyway.

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With Jones as aggressive as a wet tissue, the Patriots had to rely on their ground game, finishing with 229 yards rushing, compared to the 99 total of the Bills.

The Patriots, who have now won seven straight games, also needed the late-game heroics of defensive back Miles Bryant, who stopped Josh Allen's pass at the goal line in the final two minutes.

Despite his poor showing, Jones, the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year, became only the third quarterback in NFL history to win nine games in his rookie season, joining Ben Roethlisberger and Dak Prescott.

Jones will look to pass for more than three times on December 18 against the Indianapolis Colts.