Updates, analysis from Gillette Stadium
Bills score again to cut the deficit to 3 points — 3:00 p.m.
The Bills offense is humming now, as James Cook finds the end zone for Buffalo’s third touchdown in as many possessions to cut the deficit to 24-21.
The Patriots looked to have made a stop on third down that could force the Bills to settle for a field goal, but officials hit safety Craig Woodson with a holding call that gave Buffalo a fresh set of downs. New England’s 17-point halftime lead has been whittled down to just 3 with 3:28 to go in the third quarter. — Amin Touri
Patriots offense stalls out — 2:45 p.m.
A little momentum is building for the Bills, who finally get to Drake Maye for a third-down sack that forces New England into its second punt of the day. New England’s first three and out of the afternoon is followed by a booming 60-yard punt from Bryce Baringer that puts Buffalo on its own 30. The Patriots still lead, 24-14, with 9:18 to go in the third quarter. — Amin Touri
Bills find the end zone — 2:40 p.m.
The Bills strike quickly coming out of halftime, needing just six plays to find the end zone on a 4-yard throw from Josh Allen to Dawson Knox to cut New England’s lead to 24-14.
The Patriots have struggled with kickoff coverage today; a 58-yard return from Ray Davis set Buffalo up at the New England 44-yard line and brought the visitors to 164 yards gained on kickoffs this afternoon. — Amin Touri
Christopher Price’s halftime observations — 2:25 p.m.
By Christopher Price
Two quarters are in the books here at Gillette Stadium, and the Patriots are in charge, 24-7. A few quick notes:
Drake Maye: 9-11, 108 yards; 4 carries, 43 yards, 2 rushing touchdowns
TreVeyon Henderson: 11 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD
Rhamondre Stevenson: 6 carries, 50 yards
Mack Hollins: 3 catches, 5 targets, 36 yards
Josh Allen: 6-8, 35 passing yards; 3 carries, 12 yards
James Cook: 7 carries, 32 yards, 2 catches, 4 yards, 1 TD
• Where to start? The Bills didn’t get a first down until their first play from scrimmage in the second quarter and struggled to gain offensive traction. The Patriots committed just one penalty, didn’t turn the ball over, and were 4-for-5 on third down. Other than a missed opportunity on third-and-short on their second offensive possession, there really wasn’t much to complain about if you were a Patriots’ fan. They looked awfully good in two areas where they struggled for much of the season; they made a stop on their opponents’ first offensive possession for the second consecutive game and added two red-zone touchdowns on the afternoon. Bottom line? New England is 30 minutes away from hats and T-shirts.
• Buffalo’s big advantage coming into the afternoon figured to be the ground game, especially with New England’s Milton Williams still on the shelf. But the Bills were held to seven rushing yards on their first two possessions, and 53 rushing yards for the half. Part of it is situationally related, but if Buffalo continues to slide, the Bills might have to go away from the strength of their offense — the ground game — if they want to keep pace with the Patriots.
• A 30-yard completion on the first drive from Maye to Boutte is the latest entry into Maye’s “Holy Cow, what a throw and catch” pantheon for 2025. Great job on tracking the ball by Boutte. The Patriots also got runs of eight yards and 15 yards from Stevenson, and put the capper on the drive with an eight-yard run from Maye. (A red-zone touchdown for New England is an excellent sign for the state of the Patriots’ offense, which has struggled in that area over the last month-plus.)
• On their third offensive series, the Patriots really turned it on. A 17-yard dash from Maye that was straight out of the Josh Allen playbook led directly into a 14-yard pass play, a sequence that started with a backward pass to Rhamondre Stevenson (then back to Maye) and ended with Maye finding Mack Hollins for a first down. They capped it with another red-zone touchdown, this one on another Maye scamper that made it 14-0. It’s going to be interesting to see how New England approaches the red-zone moving forward; spreading out opponents seems like a smart play, especially on early downs. If they do that, it could theoretically open things up for runs from Maye, as long as he stays cognizant about what the defense is offering.
• It was more of the same on their fourth drive of the afternoon, one that was finished off with an astonishing 52-yard run from Henderson where he broke through the first level and ran away from the field like Secretariat at the Belmont. The 94-yard drive was the longest of the season — in terms of yardage — for the Patriots. After the touchdown, which made it 21-0, the New England receiving corps was in full throat on the sideline. Mack Hollins was barking at his old team, while Diggs was walking the sideline, waving his arms and exhorting the crowd while the crowd went bananas. It certainly felt a lot like the old days.
• Buffalo got on the board with less than two minutes left on a tidy drive that went seven plays and covered 42 yards and was capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass to Cook. It made it 21-7, and gave the Bills a little life. But New England snatched back some of that momentum with a late drive that ended with a 36-yard field goal from Andy Borregales as time expired.
• Buffalo will get the ball to start the second half.
Patriots close the half with a field goal — 2:20 p.m.
The Patriots tack on a few more points before the half, with Andy Borregales hitting from 36 yards to give New England a 24-7 lead heading into the locker room. The Patriots outgained the Bills, 285-76, in one of New England’s most dominant halves of the season. — Amin Touri
Bills get one back — 2:10 p.m.
The Bills finally show a little life, capitalizing on strong field position (courtesy of a Brenden Schooler facemask penalty on the kickoff) to find their first points of the day on a 5-yard pitch and catch from Josh Allen to James Cook. New England still leads, 21-7, with just under two minutes to play in the first half. — Amin Touri
Travis Scott is here — 2:00 p.m.
Gillette Stadium showed rapper Travis Scott, seated with Patriots owner Robert Kraft, on the JumboTron, and the crowd went wild.
TreVeyon Henderson takes it 52 yards to the house — 1:56 p.m.
The Patriots are turning this divisional showdown into a rout, as TreVeyon Henderson breaks away and shows off his home-run speed with a 52-yard romp to the end zone to make it 21-0 in favor of New England.
The Patriots’ offensive line has been opening up huge holes all afternoon and the ball-carriers are finding them, with New England racking up 154 yards with 5:53 to play in the half. — Amin Touri
That 94-yard drive was the longest of the season for the Patriots by yardage. — Christopher Price
New England leads at the break — 1:38 p.m.
The first quarter is in the books at Gillette Stadium, and the Patriots lead, 14-0, after 15 dominant minutes from the hosts. New England leads Buffalo comfortably in first downs (9-0) and total yards (144-14) after forcing the Bills into back-to-back three and outs. Drake Maye has both Patriots touchdowns as he continues to build his MVP case. — Amin Touri
The Bills’ first-quarter stats:
• Zero first downs.
• -2 passing yards.
• 14 total net yards.
• Zero points.
— Christopher Price
Make it two for Maye — 1:35 p.m.
The “MVP” chants aren’t stopping any time soon — Drake Maye takes it himself again and finds the end zone from 7 yards out for his second touchdown of the day.
Maye made some magic on the first play of the drive, escaping what seemed like a sure sack before scrambling for 17 yards, then Josh McDaniels dialed up some trickery with a double pass to Mack Hollins to pick up 14 more.
Maye is up to 32 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground as New England leads, 14-0, in the final minute of the opening quarter. — Amin Touri
Patriots punt it away — 1:23 p.m.
The Patriots’ second drive of the day fizzles after just one first down, with New England failing to convert on third and 1 from its own 33-yard line. No early aggressiveness from Mike Vrabel, who sends out Bryce Baringer for his first punt of the day. The Patriots lead, 7-0, midway through the first quarter. — Amin Touri
Drake Maye does it all for the score — 1:10 p.m.
The Patriots strike first, as an 8-yard touchdown run from Drake Maye caps off an eight-play, 73-yard drive to give New England an early lead. That drive started with a 15-yard run from Rhamondre Stevenson and a flashy diving catch from Kayshon Boutte for 30 more, but it’s Maye who the crowd serenades with familiar “MVP” chants as the Patriots take a 7-0 lead. — Amin Touri
According to SumerSports, that touchdown was just the second designed quarterback run for Drake Maye this season. — Nicole Yang
Bills win the toss — 1:00 p.m.
Buffalo wins the toss and defers, New England will receive the ball to start the game.
Patriots hold a pregame moment of silence — 12:55 p.m.
The Patriots held a pregame moment of silence at Gillette Stadium to honor the victims of the shootings this weekend at Brown University and in Sydney, Australia.
A person of interest is in custody in connection with the Saturday shooting at Brown in which two people were killed and nine people were injured.
Two gunmen attacked a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, killing at least 11 people in what Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called an act of antisemitic terrorism.
Here’s how the Globe’s writers think this will go — 12:30 p.m.
Christopher Price: Patriots 38, Bills 35. A classic shootout. Buffalo will be able to move the ball against the Patriots — particularly on the ground with Josh Allen and James Cook — but the Bills’ defense has struggled in recent weeks. Look for Drake Maye to put up his first career 300-plus yard passing game as New England celebrates a division title.
Dan Shaughnessy: Bills 27, Patriots 17. Remember when we thought a well-timed loss might be the best thing for the 2007 Patriots? Well, it never happened. They got to 18-0, then were stunned in the Super Bowl by the Giants. So let’s call this New England’s well-timed loss in their march to another Lombardi trophy.
Nicole Yang: Patriots 35, Bills 27. The Patriots keep it rolling and get their hats and t-shirts.
A look at Sunday’s officiating crew — 12:20 p.m.
John Hussey will work as the lead official today. According to NFLPenalties.com, Hussey and his crew are less inclined than most officiating crews when it comes to throwing flags; their 12.92 per game average is eighth-lowest in the league. His most frequently called penalty is false starts (37). Only four other crews have called more false start penalties this season than Hussey’s team. — Christopher Price
The Globe staff’s players to watch — 12:00 p.m.
Here’s who the Globe reporters and columnists are keeping an eye on.
Patriots
Stefon Diggs. The last time these two teams played, Diggs erupted for his best game of the season — 10 receptions for 146 yards. The Patriots like to spread the ball around on offense, so Diggs has been quiet the past two games with just five catches for 46 yards. Diggs has said all the right things about his target share, but he’s also said that all receivers admittedly want the ball. Today, against his former team, seems like a good time to feature him again, especially since Buffalo’s top cornerback, Christian Benford, is sidelined (toe). — Nicole Yang
Marcus Jones. Interception or whopper punt return. It’s just about always one or the other with this guy. — Dan Shaughnessy
Hunter Henry. The remarkably consistent tight end has been a steadying presence for Drake Maye over the last year-plus, rising to the challenge time and again to make plays for the quarterback. In the biggest game of the season, expect the veteran to come through again this afternoon. He may not have the overwhelming offensive numbers of some of his teammates in the passing game, but he’s a safe bet to make an important play with the game on the line. — Christopher Price
Bills
James Cook. Cook has been an incredibly productive back this season, leading the league in carries and ranking second in rushing yards (behind only Jonathan Taylor). But he also leads the league in fumbles. With today’s weather conditions, the Patriots should be aggressive in punching the ball out. In the Bills’ four losses this season, they’ve lost the turnover battle by a combined 11-3. — Nicole Yang
Josh Allen. Here’s his chance to say he’s The Man in the AFC East. If not, he cedes his crown to Drake Maye. — Dan Shaughnessy
James Cook. The Bills have a solid and steady ground attack, and with the New England run defense struggling in recent weeks (in large part because of the absence of Milton Williams), Cook and Josh Allen have the capability to gash the Patriots throughout the afternoon. If Buffalo wins, it’ll be because of Cook and its ground game. — Christopher Price
Who’s inactive for the Bills? — 11:45 a.m.
By Christopher Price
Inactive for the Bills: WR Gabe Davis, OT Tylan Grable, OT Chase Lundt, DT Phidarian Mathis, LB Terrel Bernard, CB Christian Benford, S Darnell Savage.
Christian Benford’s absence for the Bills is very big. The young corner, who has emerged as one of the best young defensive backs in the league over the last month, won’t be able to go today because of a toe issue.
Who’s inactive for the Patriots? — 11:30 a.m.
The Patriots will be without Bradyn Swinson, Marcus Bryant, Eric Gregory, C.J. Dippre, and Efton Chism on Sunday. Tommy DeVito will be the emergency third quarterback.
Left guard Jared Wilson and special teams ace Brenden Schooler, who both missed the Patriots’ Week 13 win over the Giants, will return to the lineup Sunday.
Four things to watch in Patriots-Bills Sunday — 11:15 a.m.
By Nicole Yang
In Week 5, the Patriots put themselves on the map with a 23-20 upset of the Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y.
In Week 15, they have a chance to officially assert themselves as serious contenders.
Here are four things to watch for Sunday at Gillette Stadium …
1. How will the left side of the offensive line hold up?
After missing one game with a high ankle sprain, starting left guard Jared Wilson is set to make his return. Wilson was a full participant in practice this week and does not have a designation for this game, meaning he should be ready to go.
Starting left tackle Will Campbell remains on injured reserve, so Vederian Lowe will once again step in. Lowe, who had a disappointing 2024 season, fared well in Week 13.
It’s a snowy one in Foxborough — 11:00 a.m.
By Ken Mahan
Patriots fans are in for some wintry weather at Gillette Stadium, with subfreezing temperatures and scattered to steady snow showers expected to linger in the Foxborough area early Sunday afternoon amid mostly cloudy to overcast skies. A bit of a slight breeze will drop wind chills closer to 20 degrees during game time as a storm system nears the region.
Shaughnessy: Patriots can reclaim AFC East against ‘filling in’ Bills — 10:45 a.m.
By Dan Shaughnessy
They are the Mike Vrabel-Drake Maye Patriots now, and Sunday at Gillette Stadium they have a chance to clinch their first AFC East championship.
Not so long ago — when we watched the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady Patriots, winning the division was something that happened here annually — like February Fenway Truck Day, the Pops on the Fourth, and Allston Christmas on Labor Day Weekend. From 2001-19, the Patriots won the AFC East 17 times in 19 seasons.
That all ended when Brady left. Belichick lost his way, and the Patriots wandered aimlessly across the NFL landscape. Five long years came and went with no division titles and no playoff victories.
Now it is the holiday season and we have this unexpected gift of the 2025 Patriots. A franchise that won four games in each of the last two seasons comes into this weekend with the best record in the NFL (tied with the Broncos), 10 straight victories, and a chance to win the AFC East Sunday.
There is great symbolism and symmetry in the presence of Josh Allen and the Bills at Gillette. Buffalo replaced New England atop the AFC East in 2020 and has finished first every year since. With a win, the Patriots have a chance to say, “Thanks for filling in, guys. We’ve got it from here.”
Amin Touri can be reached at [email protected]. Emma Healy can be reached at [email protected] or on X @ByEmmaHealy. Ben Volin can be reached at [email protected]. Christopher Price can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social. Nicole Yang can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X @nicolecyang. Dan Shaughnessy is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @dan_shaughnessy.
First Appeared on
Source link
