BenJarvus Green Ellis takes the ball into the end zone to cap the Patriots' franchise-record-tying 19-play drive.

Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach

FOXBORO - There have been several memorable, game-winning drives that the Patriots have engineered in their franchise history, including what was perhaps their most famous drive: the 53-yard march powered by Super Bowl XXXVI MVP Tom Brady that led to a 20-17 victory over St. Louis.

But only once had the Patriots put together a 19-play drive, until Sunday, in their 20-10 triumph over the Bills.

Leading 13-3 and with a chance to put the game away early in the fourth quarter, the Patriots embarked on a franchise-record-tying, 19-play, 92-yard drive that took nine minutes and eight seconds off the clock. Rookie running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (26 rushes, 105 yards, 1 TD) capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.

The other 19-play drive for the Patriots was achieved Sept. 15, 2002, against the New York Jets.

"That was a big drive for the team," offensive lineman Logan Mankins said. "We were out there for eight, nine minutes, and we controlled the ball, got down, ran a few plays, ran some more clock off and then punched it in. I came off the sideline and a couple guys were like, 'Awesome job, 19 plays,' and I was like 'Damn, I was wondering why I was so tired.' I didn't know it was that many plays; I just knew we were controlling it. That was a big drive."

"That last drive was awesome," New England coach Bill Belichick said. "It took a lot of time off the clock, and [we] ended up getting seven points. I thought it was real good time management and execution offensively when we needed it, especially in the second half, in the fourth quarter."

The Patriots were able to sustain their drive by executing their offense, quarterback Matt Cassel said.

"Everybody did a great job. The offensive line did a great job blocking, the running backs ran the ball well for positive yardage, and we were able to convert on some third downs -- some big third downs in the game. All those things combined together and you get a good outcome," Cassel said.

The Patriots converted on third down on five different occasions on the drive, which started with 11:05 remaining in the game.

"We had them in third and some good yardage that favored the defense in that drive," Buffalo coach Dick Jauron said. "But, they just converted on us. We just need to make more plays."

The Bills got the Patriots in a third-and-nine situation from their own 9-yard line, but Cassel completed a 19-yard pass to Sam Aiken for the first down.

Then, on third and one at the Buffalo 49, the Patriots gave the ball to their bruising fullback Heath Evans. It was his only carry of the game, but it was an important one. He moved the chains with a three-yard run.

"That was huge," Evans said. "I love seeing the offensive line get an opportunity to pound people. We constantly spread people out, because it's the best thing for us, but when we hunger down at the end of the game and put together 20-play drives, that doesn't happen too often in this league."

The Bills forced the Patriots into a third and nine situation at the Buffalo 19-yard line, but Cassel connected with Jabar Gaffney on a 10-yard pass.

The Bills stuffed Green-Ellis for a two-yard gain on third and goal from the 3-yard line, but a defensive holding penalty on tackle Marcus Stroud gave the Patriots a first down.

Buffalo held Cassel to zero yards on back-to-back quarterback sneaks, setting up a third and goal from the one, but the Bills couldn't stop Green-Ellis, who bowled his way into the end zone to seal the win.

"We knew even if we kicked the field goal, it was still a two-score game," Mankins said. "We were in the right position and on third down we punched it in, so we didn't have to worry about it."

"In that situation you're just out there trying to win the game, keep the clock running and make sure you get points at the end of it," Patriots tight end David Thomas said. "We were able to do that and it was a big drive for us."

"That was a really positive drive for us," Patriots running back Kevin Faulk said. "That's something that we thrive on. That's something that we want to do in that situation."

"If we can control the ball and keep their offense off the field, then they can't score points," receiver Wes Welker said. "As long as we can stay on the field and continue to put together long drives and take time off the clock, that's great for us. It keeps our defense fresh and keeps our offense moving down the field."

roblee@projo.com