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9 takeaways from Patriots’ brutal loss to Bills
The Patriots held a 21-0 lead at one point, but couldn’t hold off Josh Allen and the Bills.
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots had a prime opportunity to stake their claim as AFC East champions on Sunday with a decisive win over the Bills.
Instead, New England let what was a 17-point halftime lead slip away in short order at Gillette Stadium — with the Bills coming into Foxborough and handing the Patriots a 35-31 loss.
Here are nine takeaways from New England’s first loss since Week 3 of the 2025 season:
Patriots collapse against Buffalo
The Patriots had a chance to remove all doubt about their standing as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
But after storming out to a 21-0 lead and holding a 17-point lead at the half, New England completely crumbled against Josh Allen and the Bills — leaving the field in Foxborough with a 35-31 loss.
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New England’s defense will decidedly get knocked after giving up five-straight TD drives to Allen and Co.
But New England’s offense also stalled at critical times, with Drake Maye completing just 14 of his 23 throws for 155 yards, zero passing TDs, and one interception in the loss.
As impressive as New England’s offense has been this season under Maye, the Patriots have scored just two fourth-quarter touchdowns since Week 5.
Entering Sunday, New England held a 120-game win streak when holding a lead of 17+ points at home.
Not anymore.
Defense lets go of the rope
The Patriots might have held a sizable lead going into halftime, but any sort of lead doesn’t hold much weight when matched up against a QB like Josh Allen.
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And be it Allen’s own playmaking capabilities, a relentless Buffalo run game, critical Patriots injuries on defense (namely Milton Williams), or just critical lapses in execution, New England picked a rough time to submit their worst defensive effort of the season.
After largely keeping Allen contained in the pocket (two sacks, three rushing yards over Buffalo’s first three drives), the Patriots’ defense let go of the rope for a majority of the game — with the Bills at one point reeling off five straight touchdown drives to erase New England’s multi-scoring lead in short order.
Allen threw for three touchdowns and 193 yards in Buffalo’s win, while James Cook (107 rushing yards, three total touchdowns) led the way on the ground.
Yes, the Patriots definitely missed Williams in the trenches as a run-stuffing force. And sure, New England was steamed up by a few late calls and critical flags that helped Buffalo sustain momentum.
But there were also far too many coverage breakdowns, poor tackling, and other miscues that a team like the Patriots can’t afford against a team like Buffalo.
Patriots run over Buffalo
As impressive as Buffalo has been at times this season, a porous run defense stood as a glaring Achilles heel entering Sunday. Before kickoff, the Bills ranked 28th in the NFL in rush yards allowed per game (135.2) and 29th in the league in yards allowed per carry (5.10).
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And sure enough, Josh McDaniels and the Patriots offense put an emphasis on exploiting that porous Buffalo run defense — tying their full-game season high for rushing yards in a game (177) in the first half alone and finishing with 246 rushing yards.
While Maye did plenty of damage in the red zone with a pair of rushing TDs, it was TreVeyon Henderson who was the star on the ground in Sunday’s game — finishing with 148 rushing yards off of 14 attempts with a pair of TDs.
New England averaged 9.8 yards per carry in the loss.
Setting the tone early
It didn’t take long for the Patriots to build themselves some early breathing room in Foxborough.
Entering Sunday with two rushing touchdowns on the season, Maye doubled that total in the first 15 minutes of Sunday’s matchup against Buffalo — with his two TDs on the ground giving the Patriots an early 14-0 lead.
New England’s first drive of the afternoon was clinical, with Josh McDaniels dialing up an eight-play, 73-yard scoring drive that took just 4:39 for Maye to scamper into the end zone.
While Maye capped off that drive with a read-option keeper, the top highlight from that opening sequence came via a contested, 30-yard catch from Kayshon Boutte that moved the chains on a 3rd-and-7 situation.
As New England gashed Buffalo’s defense both through the air and on the ground, Josh Allen and Co. couldn’t get much going against New England’s defense.
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After allowing points on nine of their opponent’s 12 opening drives this season, New England’s defense has now forced an opening punt in back-to-back games — with the Bills going three-and-out in their first look of the day.
Maye wasn’t done.
As New England’s defense continued to bring the pressure against Allen (two sacks in first three drives), Maye used his legs to once again move the ball with authority — somehow slipping away from a sack from Larry Ogunjobi and reeling off a 17-yard gain to cross midfield.
Back in the red zone, Maye and the Patriots once again made the Bills pay with a QB draw up the gut. As New England’s wideouts drew Buffalo’s linebackers and defensive backs away from Maye, he ran through the line of scrimmage and into the end zone to double New England’s lead.
In the blink of an eye, the Patriots had a cushion to work with — and a raucous crowd energized at Gillette Stadium.
Henderson takes off
New England’s potent run game was sparked with another 0-to-60 run by Henderson, who gave New England a 21-0 lead with 6:03 left in the first half.
A Patriots’ offensive line once again playing without Will Campbell made life easy on Henderson — opening up a running lane that give the rookie all the space he needed to take off.
Before the Bills could even react, Henderson was on his way to the end zone for his sixth rushing score of the season.
Despite a slow start to the year, Henderson’s explosive playmaking has made him a dangerous weapon for Maye and Co. down the stretch. According to the Patriots’ Communications account, Henderson is the first Patriots player with three or more 50-yard runs in a single season since 2000.
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Henderson is also the first Patriots running back to post seven straight games with 50+ rushing yards since Corey Dillon in 2004-05.
Bills claw back
The Patriots might have outgained Buffalo, 285-76, in the first half and held a seemingly comfortably 24-7 lead, but any team led by Josh Allen at QB is never truly out of a contest.
While New England countered Allen’s first TD of the day (a 5-yard pass to James Cook) by closing out the half with a 36-yard field goal from Andy Borregales, Buffalo stormed back to open the third quarter.
It didn’t take long for Buffalo to turn Sunday’s comfortable lead into a 10-point game — putting together a six-play, 44-yard scoring drive that ended with Allen hitting Dawson Knox in the end zone less than four minutes into the half.
Further compounding New England’s woes was a three-and-out drive by Maye and the offense — with the Patriots QB sacked on third down before punting the ball away.
After New England wasn’t able to counter, Allen and the Bills continued to seize momentum with their third TD drive in as many opportunities.
After matching down into the end red zone, the Bills took advantage on a brutal holding call on Patriots rookie Craig Woodson — negating a throw away from Allen on third down and giving Buffalo a new set of downs.
Just three players later, Cook crossed the goal line to turn what was once a 21-0 Patriots lead into a slim 24-21 Patriots lead.
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With Allen as advertised on the offensive side of the ball, New England desperately needed a retort from its own franchise QB.
The response? New England getting whistled for a pair of holding calls via Vederian Lowe and Mike Onwenu — and Maye getting knocked for an interception off a deep ball down the field that was snagged by Tre’Davious White.
It was about as ugly of a quarter as we’ve seen from New England this season — especially against a legitimate foe like Buffalo.
A fourth-quarter collapse …
It didn’t get much better for New England at the start of the fourth quarter, with Buffalo scoring its fourth straight TD to give itself the lead for the first time all afternoon.
New England’s red-zone defense has been an issue all season long, and it was put on display once again Sunday — with Allen hitting Knox in the end zone on a 3rd-and-14 to make it a 28-24 Bills lead.
Fair to say, things were looking dour for New England after an inspired start.
… but Henderson responds
With New England in desperate need of a lifeline, Henderson delivered with a highlight-reel run.
On what was once looking like a tackle for loss after Henderson ran into a mass of bodies, the rookie instead reversed course and ran to his left — with Maye serving as the lead blocker ahead of an open field.
Henderson ultimately reeled off a 65-yard touchdown run — his second of the game — to give New England a 31-28 lead.
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According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, New England as a team only had two rushing TDs of 50+ yards over the previous 15 seasons before Henderson’s quartet of explosive runs in 2025.
Unfortunately, that lead for New England didn’t last for long.
A costly flag helps Buffalo take the lead for good
Beyond letting a commanding lead slip through their team’s grasp, Patriots fans were plenty steamed throughout Sunday’s game due to the parade of flags tossed across the gridiron by John Hussey and his crew at Gillette Stadium.
The costliest one came shortly after Henderson’s second TD run. Despite New England’s sustained struggles on defense, they seemingly had Allen and the Bills finally cornered on a 3rd-and-4 play from the Patriots’ 47-yard line.
Keon Coleman couldn’t reel in the throw from Allen to move the chains, but a late flag against Carlton Davis for defensive pass interference led to a new set of downs.
Just a few plays later, James Cook ran up the middle for his second rushing score of the day — giving Buffalo a 35-31 lead.
New England did finally force a stop after giving up five-straight touchdowns with 2:43 left in regulation — giving Maye and the Patriots a chance to take the lead for good.
———
LIVE UPDATES
4:06: Final: Bills beat the Patriots, 35-31. A brutal result for New England.
3:59: Patriots turn the ball on downs. Buffalo seemingly has this one secured.
3:54: After five straight TD drives by Buffalo, New England finally gets a stop.
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Maye and the Patriots have 2:43 to try and get a touchdown.
3:48: Maye and the Patriots punt this one away. Josh Allen and the Bills have a chance to ice this game with 5:19 left.
3:40: On a flag-heavy day, that’s a rough one on Carlton Davis — very late DPI call while matched up against Keon Coleman.
3:38: Carlton Davis is back in this game.
3:34: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. Henderson seemingly shakes off a tackle for loss, turns the other way, and reels off a 65-yard touchdown — and New England has the lead once again.
Drake Maye with the lead block as well.
What a swing.
3:27: Touchdown Bills. Buffalo comes back from a 21-0 deficit and now have a 28-24 lead with 10:03 to go.
What a swing here in Foxborough.
3:23: Bills go for it on 4th and 3 — and Shakir reels one in for 37 yards with Marcus Jones in coverage.
3:14: Oof. Allen and the Bills are backed up on third down — and Kincaid reels in a 21-yard catch off busted coverage.
End Third: Patriots are up, 24-21, but momentum is on Buffalo’s size.
3:12: New England’s drive ends with White picking off a deep throw from Maye. A disastrous third quarter all around for New England.
Allen and Co. now have the ball starting at the nine-yard line, trailing 24-21.
3:09: Now a hold on Onwenu negates a catch from Henry.
3:07: Poyer came thiiiiis close to coming away with a pick on Maye. And now Vederian Lowe is whistled for a false start.
3:06: With New England in need of a third-down conversion, Diggs comes through with a 16-yard catch.
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3:04: A brief scuffle after Stevenson goes out of bounds. Both he and Milano are whistled on offsetting penalties.
3:01: Let’s see if Maye and the Patriots can respond here. New England needs some breathing room.
2:57: Touchdown Bills. James Cook crosses the goal line and we’ve got a football game.
It’s a 24-21 Patriots lead with 3:49 left in the third.
2:53: A brutal holding call on Craig Woodson negates a throw away from Allen on a 3rd and 5.
2:54: Carlton Davis now in the locker room with a groin injury. He’s questionable to return.
2:45: Not the best start to the third quarter for New England. After Buffalo scores, New England goes 3-and-out — with Maye sacked on third down.
New England’s defense needs a stop to settle things down.
2:38: Patriots have some breathing room, but that can change in a hurry agianst Josh Allen.
He gains 20 off a 3rd and 3 QB Draw — and now Allen hits Knox for a TD to open the third quarter.
It’s a 24-14 Patriots lead with 11:29 left in the third.
Let’s see how New England responds.
2:34: More favorable starting position for Ray Davis as he reels off a 58-yard kickoff return.
Allen and Co. starting at the 44.
2:20: Borregales hits a 36-yard field goal as time expires.
New England has a 24-7 lead going into the half.
New England will need to be dialed in on defense to open the second half, but
2:18: Maye takes a huge hit from Rousseau on that heave down the field. He shakes it off.
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2:09: Bills Touchdown.
Buffalo has some life after Josh Allen hits James Cook in the red zone with a 5-yard TD pass. A brutal facemask penalty on Schooler in the kickoff looms large on that play.
Maye and Co. have 1:56 and two timeouts to answer before the half.
Allen and Co. have the ball to start the third.
2:07: Travis Scott is here and Gillette Stadium is losing it.
1:56: There goes TreVeyon Henderson. He reels off a 52-yard touchdown in a flash.
It’s 21-0 Patriots. This has been a beatdown.
1:55: Great throw from Drake Maye to Mack Hollins goes for 18 yards over the middle.
1:50: Fullback Khyiris Tonga is back.
1:44: Harold Landry joins in on the fun and takes down Allen. New England’s defense is dialed in.
Bills punting once again.
1:42: Carlton Davis needs to make that tackle on Allen. He shakes it off and gains 3 yards on the ground.
1:39: End First: Patriots lead the Bills, 14-0.
An MVP-level performance from Maye has the Patriots up early.
New England’s defense is also doing its part to slow down Allen and the Bills.
1:35: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS.
Drake Maye uses his legs again to score his second rushing TD of the first quarter.
It’s 14-0 Patriots in the first quarter.
Patriots in complete control here.
1:32: Don’t know how Drake Maye wasn’t sacked there. Instead, he scrambles for 17 yards.
1:28: Patriots dial up the blitz and Jack Gibbens takes down Allen on third down.
Bills punt again.
New England’s offense starting on the 50-yard line.
1:23: Maye can’t hit Hollins on a 3rd and 1, and New England punts it away.
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1:16: A strong start for the Patriots defense, as Allen overshoots a throw to Kincaid with Gonzalez in coverage. Bills are punting.
1:15: Robert Spillane is active, but he’s not starting this defensive series.
1:14: Brandin Cooks appears to reel in a 30-yard catch from Allen, but it’s ruled incomplete after video review.
1:13: Nice return for Davis has Allen and the Bills starting at the 49-yard line.
1:08: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. Maye takes it himself and runs it in from 8 yards out and the Patriots have the early lead. Borregales hits the XP.
It’s 7-0 Patriots just 4:39 into the game.
1:07: What a catch from Boutte. He reels in a catch in for 30 yards off a 3rd and 7.
1:04: Stvenson opens the game with a 15-yard gain. Nearly broke away for a larger gain.
1:02: Bills win the coin toss and defer. Maye and the Patriots are up first.
12:52: Lawyer Milloy is today’s “Keeper of the Light” at Gillette Stadium.
12:40: Stef Diggs fires his teammates up:
12:24: Jared Wilson back at left guard today. Vederian Lowe slotted in at left tackle once again.
12:20: Warmups are underway:
11:33: No Christian Benford today for Buffalo. That’s a major loss for the Bills, as Benford has been arguably their best defensive player in recent weeks.
11:30: No major surprises for the Patriots’ inactives.
Robert Spillane was questionable with a foot injury, but is good to go. Jared Wilson is also cleared from his ankle injury.
11:15: Will Campbell is all of New England these days:
11:10: Mack Hollins arrives at Gillette on brand:
11:00: Greetings from Gillette Stadium! Big one here today:
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