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12 takeaways from Patriots’ 23-20 upset win over Bills
The Patriots are over .500 (excluding 1-0 starts) for the first time since Dec. 12, 2022.
The Patriots finally have their signature win.
Entering Buffalo as major underdogs against the lone undefeated team left in the NFL, Drake Maye and the Patriots reeled off a 23-20 win against the Bills.
In a back-and-fourth matchup on primetime TV, Maye led the way for New England in crunch time — orchestrating a seven-play, 37-yard drive that ended with rookie kicker Andy Borregales booting a 52-yard field goal with 15 seconds left on the clock.
Here are 12 takeaways from Sunday’s victory.
A statement win
Entering Sunday, it seemed as though most Patriots fans would welcome a Sunday Night Football bout where a rebuilding Patriots team hung around against a 4-0 Bills team led by the reigning NFL MVP.
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Instead, the Patriots made a compelling case that a long rebuild is over — with Mike Vrabel’s club leaving Highmark Stadium with a gutsy 23-20 victory.
Be it Maye and Stefon Diggs delivering in the clutch, New England’s defense making critical plays to slow down Buffalo’s offense, or Borregales converting on a 52-yard kick in crunch time, there’s a lot to like about the progress that Vrabel’s team has showcased in just a few weeks.
We might just have a football season after all here in Foxborough.
Drake Maye outduels Josh Allen
It’s been a strong showing from Maye so far this season, with the second-year QB showcasing plenty of promise across what was a 2-2 start to the season.
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But a game like Sunday against arguably the best QB in the game in Allen stands as the most encouraging sign yet that Maye is on his way as one of the top young signal-callers in the game.
After a quiet first half where both Maye and New England’s offense appeared sped up and out of sync, the 23-year-old QB put his team in prime position to secure a massive upset on the road Sunday.
Maye finished the game completing 22-of-30 throws for 273 yards — with zero turnovers on the night. He averaged 9.1 yards per attempt, routinely carving up Buffalo’s defense in the second half.
Beyond the mistake-free football, Maye delivered in clutch moments — headlined by some major throws under pressure on the final drive of the game to put Borregales in a position to win it.
That second-year jump is well underway for New England’s franchise QB, who now has his first fourth-quarter comeback victory secured.
Diggs delivers as New England’s No. 1 wideout
After recording his first 100-yard receiving game since October 2023 last week, Stefon Diggs twisted the knife against his former team in Buffalo with a dominant showing.
The veteran wideout was Maye’s trusted target on both short-yardage pickups and explosive plays down the field — finishing the game with 10 catches for a whopping 146 yards.
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Be it his 32-yard pickup down the field in the third quarter that helped answer back following a Buffalo TD or his 12-yard snag just before the two-minute warning, Diggs was there to help out his QB in the most consequential game of his young career.
After going 22 games without a 100-yard performance before last week, Diggs has now surpassed triple-digits in back-to-back games.
Diggs is the first Patriots wideout since Julian Edelman in 2019 to have back to back 100-yard games.
New England’s defense stands tall against explosive Bills offense
One of the top question marks entering Sunday’s showdown was how New England’s ascending defense was going to handle Allen and a Bills offense that entered Week 5 averaging 33.0 points per game.
It wasn’t always pretty, especially when it came to some bone-headed penalties in the fourth quarter and a monster game from Dalton Kincaid (six catches, 108 yards).
But New England’s defense did its job in its most-dauting matchup of the season so far, limiting some of Buffalo’s top weapons in a gutsy performance on the road.
While Allen did manage to move the ball as the game progressed, New England did a good job of bottling up James Cook — as the Bills’ top rushing weapon averaged just 3.3 yards per carry in the game.
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Add in three total turnovers by Buffalo — including an interception by Marcus Jones — some clutch pass-breakups from Christian Gonzalez and more pressure up the middle by the likes of Milton Williams and Christian Barmore, and New England’s defense did its job in this one.
Stevenson’s roller-coaster game
The Bills haven’t lost the turnover battle in 26 games entering Sunday’s matchup.
But New England was seemingly ready to take advantage of a rare Buffalo miscue in the first quarter, with a botched handoff on the Bills’ first drive leading to a fumble. Rookie defensive tackle Joshua Farmer pounced on the loose ball to secure the turnover for the Patriots — giving the ball back to Maye and Co. on Buffalo’s 47-yard line.
It marked the first time that the Bills haven’t scored a touchdown on their opening drive this season.
But any momentum seized by New England was short-lived, as Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled the ball on the Patriots’ first play of the drive. Stevenson, who lost the ball after simple check-down play from Maye, has now fumbled 10 times over his last 20 games.
Despite that squandered opportunity by Stevenson, Allen and the Bills weren’t able to capitalize — as Marcus Jones broke up a deep throw to Keon Coleman off a slot fade that prompted another punt for the home team.
Despite Stevenson getting knocked for a third fumble already this season, Vrabel and his staff went right back to the veteran back on Sunday — as Stevenson returned to the field after four snaps on offense.
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That trust ultimately paid off, as Stevenson closed out the game with a pair of rushing touchdowns in the second half to help New England close out the win.
Robert Spillane helps New England open the scoring
The Bills’ uncharacteristic ball-security woes continued in the first quarter, with Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane giving the ball back to New England’s offense with a heads-up play in Buffalo territory.
After Keon Coleman reeled in a catch from Allen, Spillane knocked the ball loose from the wideout as he tackled him — with Jaylinn Hawkins recovering the fumble to give New England possession on Buffalo’s 11-yard line.
Spillane is the first Patriots player since Jamie Collins in 2019 to have at least one interception, one sack, and one forced fumble through five games.
Despite being gifted that prime opportunity to find the end zone, New England couldn’t convert in the red zone — with Borregales opening the scoring with a 30-yard field goal.
It was a sequence headlined by some strong play from New England’s defense — only to have it be undercut with a lack of execution on the offensive side of the ball.
Patriots lose Gibson due to injury
Further complicating New England’s running back situation was the loss of Antonio Gibson, who was ruled out in the second quarter due to a knee injury.
The veteran back was utilized heavily— especially after Stevenson’s fumble — with a catch and six rushing attempts for 26 yards. But on a kick return in the second quarter, Gibson took a shot to his knee while attempting to scramble up the field, fumbling the ball.
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Even though TreVeyon Henderson recovered the fumble, Gibson needed help getting off the field — and was ruled out just minutes later with his knee injury.
If Gibson has to miss significant time, the Patriots have to move forward with a running back with ball-security issues in Stevenson and an unproven rookie in Henderson.
Patriots leave more points on the board in first half
A national audience wasn’t treated to some clean football throughout the first two quarters of play, with both teams combining for three turnovers, 10 penalties, and just nine total points out of the gate.
Even though New England entered halftime with a lead, the Patriots left plenty of points on the board against a sloppy Bills team — headlined by a frustrating final drive that ultimately stalled out on the 1-yard line.
After New England forced another Bills punt, Maye and Co. had the ball with a little over two minutes to go in the first half.
New England then reeled off an 11-play, 63-yard drive that brought the ball right into the doorstep of Buffalo’s end zone — with some of that forward progress marred by a pair of critical penalties against Kayshon Boutte (including a 15-yard facemask infraction).
A defensive pass interference call against Tre’Davious White as he blanketed Diggs in the end zone gave New England the ball on Buffalo’s 1-yard line with just four seconds left.
Vrabel and his staff opted to run a play instead of just settling for a field goal, but Hunter Henry couldn’t reel in a quick throw from Maye after taking some contact from Matt Milano. New England still had one second on the clock, which led to a 19-yard field goal from Borregales.
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For the first time since 2015, the Bills were knocked for eight penalties and two turnovers in a half of football. But New England only had a 6-3 lead to show for it going into the half — far from a comfortable lead against Allen and the Bills.
Maye, Diggs answer in second half
It was looking like New England was going to pay for letting Buffalo off the hook in the first half early in the third quarter — as the Bills opened the second half with a 10-play, 66-yard drive that ended with a six-yard touchdown snag from Curtis Samuel.
But after struggling to find cohesion for most of the first half, Maye and New England’s offense answered right away after Buffalo found the end zone.
Headlined by a 32-yard snag by Diggs on a third-down play, the Patriots retook their lead off of a five-play drive that accumulated 74 yards — with Stevenson giving New England a 14-10 lead after charging into the end zone.
Maye’s throw to Diggs might be his best throw of the season so far, with Mike Vrabel’s club showing plenty of mettle and striking right back after Buffalo’s offense started to click.
Marcus Jones’ pick swings momentum
A potential shootout was brewing in the second half after Buffalo once again marched down the field after Stevenson’s touchdown.
But after Allen got the ball all the way down to New England’s 19-yard line, Jones snatched momentum by undercutting a route from Khalil Shakir and picking off the Bills QB in the red zone.
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It was another standout play by Jones, who torched Carolina’s special teams unit with a punt return TD in Week 4 against Carolina.
Jones’ interception opened the door for Maye to once again air things out downfield, as New England put together an 11-play, 90-yard drive that ended in a seven-yard touchdown run from Stevenson — giving New England a 20-10 lead in the fourth quarter.
New England generated some chunk yardage through the air, headlined by a 24-yard snag across the middle from Henry and a 30-yard gain from Diggs where he weaved his way through several Bills players before getting brought down at the four-yard line.
Penalties loom large as Gonzalez steps up
Despite taking a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, New England turned this one into a nail-biter due to multiple penalties and other lapses that made life easier for a skilled Bills squad.
Look no further than Buffalo’s TD drive in the fourth quarter when Buffalo gained 30 yards on back-to-back infractions from Cory Durden (roughing the passer) and Farmer (unnecessary roughness).
Those miscues were further exacerbated on New England’s next offensive drive, where a critical 3rd-and-1 play was stretched into a 3rd-and-6 after Vederian Lowe was whistled for a false start.
As poor as Buffalo was for a majority of Sunday’s game, it’s also a club that will make you pay time and time again if you give them an opportunity.
New England’s defense ultimately stood tall on their next drive and held Buffalo to a game-tying field goal — with cornerback Christian Gonzalez breaking up two throws from Allen to negate a chance for a go-ahead touchdown.
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After Prater’s kick sailed through the uprights, Maye and the Patriots had the ball in a 20-20 game with 2:17 left in regulation.
Maye, Borregales seal the deal
Getting the ball back was all that Maye and the Patriots needed to close out this one, as the Patriots young QB put together a seven-play, 37-yard drive in crunch time to put Borregales in a position to win.
Maye’s first throw of the drive was impressive, as he shook off as pass-rusher before hitting Diggs for a 12-yard pickup. He also put the ball into Buffalo territory after connecting with Boutte on a 19-yard pickup.
Maye’s efforts were ultimately enough to put Borregales in a spot to deliver a win — with the rookie shaking off some early-season jitters and converting on that 52-yard kick.
A statement performance all around for New England.
———
LIVE UPDATES
Final: Patriots beat the Bills, 23-20. What a game from New England, who upset the lone undefeated team in the NFL in the Bills.
Forget a rebuild. New England seems pretty legit.
We’ll have more to come on Boston.com.
11:24: Andy Borregales’ kick from 52 yards is GOOD.
Patriots up, 23-20 with 15 seconds to go.
11:17: Maye hits Diggs for a 12-yard pickup. Two-minute warning with New England on its own 41.
11:11: A pair of breakups from Christian Gonzalez force a field goal for Buffalo. A huge play
11:02: A 73-yard punt from Baringer has Buffalo starting at their own 20 yard line. A huge boot.
11:00: Brutal Vederian Lowe is whistled for a false start. A 3rd and 1 becomes a 3rd and 6.
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Now New England has to punt.
10:54: Keon Coleman with the 2-yard touchdown. It’s a 20-17 game. Those penalties will loom large if the Bills come back to win this one.
10:50: Patriots with some brutal penalties here.
Cory Durden and Joshua Farmer can’t be making plays like that. Back-to-back 15 yard penalties.
10:42: Patriots TOUCHDOWN: Stevenson runs it in from 7 yards out.
It’s a 20-10 Patriots lead.
10:41: Maye is feeling it now. Over 50 yards gained off of two catches from Henry and Diggs.
10:37: Diggs now up to 8 catches for 104 yards entering the fourth quarter.
10:35: A great sideline snag from Diggs on a 3rd down play. He’s been money over the last few weeks.
10:30: What a play by Marcus Jones. He undercut a route by Shakir and picks off Allen.
3 Buffalo turnovers so far in this one.
10:25: Can’t have that for Brenden Schooler — who hits Shakir as he was out of bounds. An 18-yard pickup has an additional 15 yards tacked on.
10:21: Patriots TOUCHDOWN. Rhamondre Stevenson runs it in from 4 yards out and New England has a 14-10 lead.
Quite the response after Buffalo’s TD — with New England going down the field on 5 plays and 69 yards for the score, and the lead.
10:19: Stefon Diggs came to play tonight. His 32-yard catch has New England on Buffalo’s 5-yard line.
10:16: Patriots now moving the ball here — back-to-back catches from Diggs and Boutte to open this drive.
10:11: Bills touchdown: Curtis Samuel reels in a 6-yard touchdown from Allen.
It’s 10-6 Buffalo.
Let’s see how New England responds.
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10:04: Bills have the ball to start the third quarter.
9:50: HALFTIME: Patriots lead the Bills, 6-3.
9:49: Patriots go for it with 4 seconds to go, and Henry can’t reel in a touchdown. Patriots settle for a field goal from Borregales.
9:48: Stefon Diggs draws DPI on White with 4 seconds left in the half and the Patriots are going for it from the 1. 4 seconds left.
9:42: A great throw from Maye to Hunter Henry. 22-yard pickup.
9:39: Bills’ lack of discipline has been wild so far in this one. An unnecessary roughness call on a hit against a sliding Maye leads to a 15-yard pickup.
9:33: Milton Williams with a huge third-down sack. Buffalo’s been sloppy in this one with turnovers and penalties, but New England’s defense has stood tall.
Maye and the Patriots have the ball with 2:23 left in the first half.
9:27: Antonio Gibson has been ruled out for this game with that knee injury.
9:25: Patriots didn’t run the ball at all on that drive. New England’s offense stalls out once again, with Baringer pinning Buffalo at the 10-yard line with a strong punt.
9:21: TreVeyon Henderson now in at RB for New England with Gibson limping off the field.
9:18: Antonio Gibson is injured after getting rocked with a big hit on a kick-off return. He fumbles, but Henderson recovered. Gibson is grabbing his right knee.
9:13: A nice stand by the Patriots defense, which forces a 31-yard field goal for Prater. New England bend, but doesn’t break in what is now a 3-3 game.
9:08: Buffalo’s offense is moving now. Christian Gonzalez is beat by Palmer on a 23-yard pickup. Now on New England’s 29-yard line.
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9:04: END FIRST: Patriots up, 3-0. Bills have been sloppy, but New England’s offense has been very poor as far as their execution.
9:00: The Bills’ defense stands tall — and New England has to attempt a field goal.
Borregales’ 30-yard field goal is good.
Patriots lead, 3-0.
8:57: Another Bills fumble. Looked like Spillane punched it out and Jaylinn Hawkins recovered it.
Patriots have the ball at Buffalo’s 12.
8:55: Carlton Davis is down after he drew a hold on a jet sweep.
8:52: Patriots punting again. Diggs can’t reel in a catch on 3rd-and-3.
8:50: Rhamondre Stevenson is back on the field just four snaps after his fumble.
8:49: Kayshon Boutte reels in a catch on a 3rd and 8 to convert for the first down.
8:44: Antonio Gibson now getting reps at running back.
8:42: Stevenson’s turnover doesn’t burn the Patriots. Great pass breakup by Marcus Jones on the slot fade to Keon Coleman and the Bills are punting.
8:37: Brutal. Rhamondre Stevenson and immediately gives the ball back to Buffalo. So much for that momentum swing.
8:35: Josh Allen fumbles and the Patriots recover. Rookie Joshua Farmer pounces on the loose ball and New England takes over at Buffalo’s 47.
8:33: Josh Allen has been slippery in the early going while picking up some third downs in man coverage.
8:26: Diggs picks up that first down, but Maye is then sacked on a 3rd and 7. Patriots are punting.
8:24: Stefon Diggs with the first down. 15-yard gain.
8:20: Patriots lose the coin toss. Bills defer. Maye and the Patriots offense is up first.
8:01: Stef Diggs will look to deliver a statement game against his former team in Buffalo:
7:55: A look at the inactives for New England and Buffalo:
Ed Oliver is a major loss for the Bills, especially when it comes to Buffalo’s run defense.
7:52: Jared Wilson is back in at left guard for New England during warmups:
7:51: Christian Gonzalez repping Bill Russell ahead of the game.
7:45: Greetings ahead of a primetime game! Warmups are underway:
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