FOXBORO – For Danny Shelton, the wait was worth it.

The past three weeks haven't been easy for the Patriots defensive tackle. A healthy scratch in three-straight games, Shelton was finally back in the lineup on Sunday against Buffalo. Not only did the Patriots win, but the team locked up a spot in the playoffs, which will be a first for Shelton.

"It's exciting," Shelton said. "It's definitely a great feeling just to be able to win in December. I'm just glad I was able to be a part of it."

Shelton was a healthy scratch for three games in a row, which was a first in his career. In those games, the Patriots were horrid against the run allowing 6.3 yards per carry against Pittsburgh, 9.0 against Miami and 7.3 against Minnesota.

Shelton didn't start, but was on the field for the Patriots second defensive series. He finished with two tackles as the Patriots held the Bills to 72 rushing yards and 4.0 yards per carry.

Winning in general is new for Shelton. A 2015 first-round pick by Cleveland, Shelton and the Browns went 0-16 last season. In his three previous seasons, the defensive tackle has won just two games in the month of December. Now, he'll be playing in January.

"It meant a lot because I've been out for a couple weeks," Shelton said. "I was just excited to be out there with the guys."