FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Football games are often won in the trenches. Championships are won by teams who are able to impose their will and dictate the terms of play at the pivotal moments.

During their late-starting Super Bowl run last season, that was a fitting portrayal of the Patriots. They rode their physicality up front. The offensive line, in particular, was a force.

The Patriots figured they could beat teams by using the effectiveness of their running game to set up the passing attack. It worked to perfection, largely because the offensive line was dominant at the point of attack.

We haven’t seen anything close to that description for much of the season, but last Saturday against Buffalo, which has one of the toughest fronts in football, Dante Scarnecchia’s much-maligned unit once again turned into a bully.

The line pushed forward with authority, opening holes for Sony Michel, Rex Burkhead and James White. On sweeps and screen passes, the linemen constantly got out in front into the second level of defenders, blowing up anything in their path.

The increased usage of Elandon Roberts as a fullback, knocking aside would-be tacklers, also aided the cause and helped establish the same type of physicality that was present during last season’s championship run.

Is it possible that once again, the Patriots have discovered – or perhaps rediscovered – the offensive identity that will get them to the Super Bowl?

Let’s just say, if the offensive line is operating like it did against the Bills, which in effect allows Tom Brady to be more like Brady as opposed to a shell of himself, it’s not out of the realm. It’s certainly the ticket to giving the Patriots a chance.

ESPN analyst Damien Woody agreed. He’s not putting the Patriots in the Super Bowl, but if the offensive line continues to dictate as it did against the Bills, they’ll be a tough out going forward.

“Dante is a Hall of Famer to me. He delivered another masterpiece on Saturday,” Woody said of the Patriots offensive line coach. “They hadn’t been playing well, but they really imposed their will on Buffalo, a team with a good front. When you get the run game going, that’s when things start to take off for them.”

It took off to the tune of long, sustained drives that had been absent from the offense. Brady & Co. not only dominated time of possession, but were also much better on third down and in the red zone.

While the Patriots have relied on an outstanding defense and terrific special teams to win most games this season, they need the third phase to be a true Super Bowl contender. The offense needs to produce going forward.

Against Buffalo, with an offensive line that was taking no prisoners, especially when it came to run blocking, it was like an old friend had returned to the huddle.

“Think about it from the players’ perspective. All they’ve been hearing about is, ‘They can’t do this. They can’t do that. Tom Brady is washed up,’” said Woody. “What you’re basically doing, is challenging those guys’ manhood. Football is about imposing your will on the guy opposite of you, your opponent. I’m sure they were hearing that stuff multiple weeks, and it led to them having their best offensive performance of the season.”

Scarnecchia has had to make adjustments all year long because of injuries. He lost center Dave Andrews (clots in his lungs) before the season started. Left tackle Isaiah Wynn went down in Week 2 (turf toe) before returning for Week 12. Ted Karras, the backup for Andrews, missed time because of a knee injury. Right tackle Marcus Cannon and right guard Shaq Mason have both struggled at times, likely playing through injuries.

Both fullbacks, James Develin and Jakob Johnson, were lost for the season. And Rob Gronkowski, one of the best blocking tight ends in the game, retired.

Even with those issues, Scarnecchia and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels still needed to find a solution for the offense. It continues to make the most sense through the running game. The backs hadn’t changed from last year, so it had to start up front.

There was progress in the Cincinnati win (175 rushing yards), but running over the Bengals isn’t quite the same as doing it to the Bills.

“The one area you have to try to hang your hat on is the offensive line. It has to be the ticket (to their success),” Woody agreed. “Go with the line, Sony Michel, Rex Burkhead, James White … run the football, and play action off running the football. That was the formula last year toward the end, and that has to pretty much be it now.”

Impose your will. Dictate terms. That starts with the offensive line. The success of the running game depends on it, and riding their physicality.

“It’s that old football adage, the game within the game, winning your O-line matchups,” Karras said Tuesday. “It’s something that might not be popping on the screen on TV unless you’re losing them, but it’s one of those things that are really important to winning. We have such great guys and a great coach. We just have to keep it rolling.”