The Buffalo Bills delivered one of the most dramatic wins of their season on Sunday morning, erasing a 21-point deficit to defeat the New England Patriots 35-31 in a gripping AFC East showdown at Foxborough.
Quarterback Josh Allen led the comeback as Buffalo improved to 10-4, snapping New England’s 10-game winning streak and tightening the division race. The Patriots fell to 11-3 but still hold a one-game lead atop the AFC East.
The game began in dominant fashion for New England. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye, playing with confidence early, powered the Patriots to a 14-0 first-quarter lead with two rushing touchdowns. New England’s defense complemented the fast start by forcing three straight Buffalo punts, giving the offense short fields and momentum.
Early in the second quarter, the Patriots extended the gap even further with a statement drive. A 94-yard march ended with rookie TreVeyon Henderson bursting through the line and sprinting 52 yards for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 21-0. Buffalo finally answered on the following possession, with Allen connecting with James Cook on a five-yard touchdown pass to make it 21-7. New England added a field goal before halftime to head into the locker room firmly in control.
Everything changed after the break.
Buffalo opened the second half with urgency, needing just six plays to score as Allen hit Dawson Knox on a four-yard touchdown pass. The Bills’ defense followed with a crucial three-and-out, and Allen took advantage. A 70-yard drive ended with Cook stretching across the goal line for his second score, cutting the deficit to 24-21.
The game’s turning point came shortly after when Maye attempted a deep throw downfield that turned into an arm punt. Tre’Davious White intercepted the pass at Buffalo’s own nine-yard line, flipping the momentum entirely.
The Bills capitalized with a long, grinding drive, going 91 yards in 13 plays. Allen found Knox again, this time for a 14-yard touchdown, giving Buffalo its first lead of the game at 28-24.
The Patriots were not done. On the very next drive, Henderson electrified the crowd at Gillette Stadium by breaking free for a 65-yard touchdown run, showcasing elite speed and restoring New England’s lead at 31-28.
But Buffalo had one final answer.
Allen orchestrated another composed drive, highlighted by smart play-calling and strong execution. Cook finished it off with his third touchdown of the game, an 11-yard run that gave the Bills a 35-31 lead — a crucial margin with no chance of a tying field goal.
The Bills’ defense sealed the comeback with two consecutive stops, the final one coming on a fourth-and-five incompletion from the New England 22-yard line.
Allen finished the day 19-of-28 for 193 yards and three touchdowns, adding 48 rushing yards on 11 carries. Cook was the engine of the offense, rushing 22 times for 107 yards and two scores while adding a receiving touchdown. Eight different Buffalo players caught passes, with Khalil Shakir leading the way at five receptions for 65 yards.
For New England, Maye went 14-of-23 for 155 passing yards and added 43 yards on the ground. Henderson was explosive despite limited touches, piling up 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 14 carries.
In a game that swung wildly from start to finish, Buffalo’s resilience reshaped the AFC East picture and sent a clear message: the division race is far from over.