Telegraph photo by TOM KING Patriots linebacker/fullback Elandon Roberts wore a determined look even after the Patriots clinched the AFC East with a win Saturday over the Buffalo Bills.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Elandon Roberts stood at his Gillette Stadium locker Saturday evening, thoroughly enjoying a post game chat with reporters as the New England Patriots dressing room had just about emptied out.

One of the reasons he was so thrilled? On a chair in front of him was an AFC East Champions hat placed on top of a celebratory T-shirt, neatly folded. They were courtesy of the team’s 24-17 comeback win over the Buffalo Bills.

His lasting memory from the night?

“Seeing my hat right here,” Roberts said. “It’s cool.”

The shirt, he said, may not be his size, but who cares? The atmosphere in the locker room after the win was “ecstatic, because that’s what you play for, the season, the steps. This division, you’re familiar with each other. …

Roberts has already made a name for himself as a Patriots linebacker, but with fullback James Develin out for the season and the Patriots shorthanded at the position, he has been utilized in that role as a blocker.He did play running back in high school, he said.

“I played a little,” he said. “But I got the ball then. I trust whatever Josh calls. Whatever Josh Calls, I just go out there and do my job.”

He did his job on Saturday as the Patriots rushed for 143 yards, led by Sony Michel’s 96 yards.

“It’s a mentality, period,” Roberts said. “You play teams week-in, week out. Teams know who you are. When we study teams, we know who they are, who they’re about. Late in the seson, it turns into a mentality, period.”

Does Roberts think, when teams see him as a blocking back, they know what he’s about?

“I think they knew what I was about when I was a rookie (in 2016),” he said. “I wanted to get in their (expletive) face. Offense, defense, special teams, whatever you want. I think that’s why Bill (Belichick) likes me.”

Roberts says he still likes hitting the opposition as a linebacker rather than a block. But he has enjoyed helping to open up the holes for the Patriot running backs.

“I’m just trying to help those guys, and the offensive line,” he said. “I’m just happy for everybody.”

And if teams aren’t ready for Roberts, “then that’s their fault.”

The Bills didn’t seem to be ready on Saturday.

“We ran the ball good and effectively against a real good defense,” Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said. “I think (the offense) was more balanced than it had been.”

“Our offensive line did a tremendous job all night,” Patriots back Rex Burkhead, who had four catches for 77 yards as well as a 1-yard TD run. “Just really playing physical from the get-go, opening up lanes for myself, Sony, and James (White). Of course, the tight ends and E-Rob (Roberts) doing their part as well. So all the credit goes to those guys.”

XXXXXXX

The Bills took Saturday’s loss in stride, knowing they’ve already clinched a playoff spot.

“We’ve played four quality opponents, the last four weeks, in big games,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “And our players have put it on the line and that’s all I can ask. And we have got to continue to learn from these experiences, as a young football team and contintue to grow, so we get stronger and stronger. You know, in games like this in particular, as we move into the playoffs.”

Bills QB Josh Allen was disappointed the Bills were stopped short of getting the ball in the end zone with just over a minute to go for a potential tying score.

“When we get it down there, we’ve got to get it in the end zone, there’s no doubt about that,” he said. “That’s on my shoulders…

“We’ve got to find a way to get over that hump, we were playing to put ourselves in a position where we could potentiall win (the AFC East). But (the Patriots) played well today and hats off to them.”

XXXXXXXX

Patriot inactives were headed by injured defensive back Jonathan Jones . Others included third QB Cody Kessler, offensive linemen Jermaine Eluemunor and Korey Cunningham, tight end Ryan Izzo, defensive lineman Byron Cowart and rookie back Damien Harris.

Out for the Bills were running back T.J. Yeldon, safety Dean Marlow, guard Ike Boettger, OL Ty Nsekhe, wideout Duke Williams, tight end Tommy Sweeney and defensive atackle Vincent Taylor.

XXXXXXX

Patriots starting corner Jason McCourty started the game, but in the second quarter re-aggravated a groin injury and wasn’t seen thereafter… Same with offensive line,an Marcus Cannon, who left in the second half with an ankle injury and was replaced by Marshall Newhouse…

The Patriots close out their regular season next Sunday at 1 p.m. at Gillette Stadium vs. Miami, hoping to clinch a bye in the first round of the AFC playoffs.