Bills Central

FINAL: Bills Avoid Slip-Up in 27-21 Win vs. Patriots

The Buffalo Bills will look to avoid another upsetting defeat to their AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots.

Harrison Reno

In this story:

It is gameday in Buffalo as the Bills get set to host their AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots, at Highmark Stadium. 

While on paper it seems like a game that the Bills should dominate, as the 4-11 Patriots essentially have nothing to play for at this point in the season, Buffalo isn't likely to take this matchup any less seriously after what transpired in the first meeting this season. 

Back in Week 7, it was the Patriots who emerged as victors despite having just one win prior to pulling the 29-25 upset over the Bills at Gillette Stadium. However, a lot has changed for both sides since then. 

Dec 28, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs the ball against New England Patriots defensive back Kyle Dugger (35) in the second half at Gillette Stadium / David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

For starters, the Patriot's former first-round quarterback, Mac Jones, who led the game-winning drive against the Bills in Week 7, is no longer their starting signal-caller. Instead, second-year Western Kentucky product, Bailey Zappe, will be under center for a Patriots offense that has looked improved in recent weeks. 

The Bills have seemingly been able to right the ship after they won just one of their next three games following the Patriot's loss. That four-game stretch included a two-game losing skid that saw then-offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey fired following a 24-22 loss to the Denver Broncos.

Bills vs. Patriots Preview: Buffalo Seeks Revenge with Playoffs on Line

Since then, with quarterbacks coach Joe Brady as the play-caller, the Bills have managed to win four of their last five games, with the only loss coming to the Philadelphia Eagles in overtime. 

Yet, even with the midseason shift in results, the Bills' spot in the postseason is not secured, which makes Sunday's afternoon clash with the Patriots all the more important.

WHAT: New England Patriots (4-11, 3-4 Road) at Buffalo Bills (9-6, 6-2 Home)

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, 1 p.m. ET

WHERE: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY (71,621)

TELEVISION: CBS | FuboTV (Free trial here)

RADIO: WGR550-AM

TICKETS via SI TICKETS

Betting via SI SportsBook

SPREAD: Bills -14.5

TOTAL: 39.5

MONEYLINE: Patriots +580, Bills -901

First Quarter 

The Patriots' offense didn't even take the field, as the opening kickoff was returned 98 yards for a touchdown by Jalen Reagor. 

TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS

Patriots 7, Bills 0

Change of Possession

The Bills' first possession ended in a three-and-out as a first-down sack backed them up early. 

Change of Possession

The Patriots first drive lasted just one play as Bailey Zappe's pass was intercepted by Ed Oliver. 

Change of Possession

Despite the interception, the Bills couldn't move the ball for a new set of downs as Allen fired two incompletions following a four-yard run from James Cook. The Bills were forced to settle for a 35-yard field goal from Tyler Bass. 

FIELD GOAL BILLS 

Patriots 7, Bills 3

Change of Possession

The Bills defense was able to force a three-and-out as the Patriots ran it twice for just five yards before an incomplete pass by Zappe on third-down forced a punt.

Change of Possession

The Bills were able to pick up a first down after two runs for Cook, who picked up 11 yards, but they weren't able to pick up much else before another punt. 

Change of Possession

The ensuing Patriots drive lasted just one play as Rasul Douglas intercepted Zappe's pass. 

Change of Possession

The Bills capitalize off of it quickly, finding the endzone in just three plays as Josh Allen scored from one-yard out utilizing the tush push. 

TOUCHDOWN BILLS 

Bills 10, Patriots 7

Change of Possession

The Patriots' drive lasted just two plays after Zappe completed his pass to Pharaoh Brown, who, after gaining five yards, lost the football, which the Bills recovered. 

Change of Possession

The Bills couldn't turn the turnover into six points as they were forced to settle for another field goal.

FIELD GOAL BILLS 

Bills 13, Patriots 7

Change of Possession

The Patriots suffered another three-and-out as Ed Oliver sacked Zappe on third-down.

Change of Possession

The Bills picked one first down on an unnecessary roughness penalty on Jalen Mills. But afterward, the Bills were forced to punt again.

Change of Possession

Second Quarter

The Bills defense finds another takeaway; this time, they don't give their offense a chance to see the field as Rusul Douglas took Zappe's intercepted pass 40 yards for a touchdown.

TOUCHDOWN BILLS 

Bills 20, Patriots 7

Change of Possession

The Patriots responded with a touchdown of their own as Zappe found the endzone with a 17-yard touchdown run that capped off a quick six-play drive. 

TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS 

Bills 20, Patriots 14

Change of Possession

A promising nine-play drive for the Bills ends in disaster as Josh Allen's pass intended for Dalton Kincaid was intercepted by his former teammate Alex Austin. The Bills had reached midfield and were looking to gain more before Allen's interception.

Change of Possession

The Patriots' offense walked off the field empty-handed as the Bills defense forced them into a 47-yard field goal attempt by Chad Ryland, which was pushed wide right. 

Change of Possession

The Bills suffered another three-and-out as an eight-yard completion to Diggs is all Buffalo managed before a punt. 

Change of Possession

The Patriots decided to kneel the first-half out as they sent the game to halftime.

Third Quarter

The Bills opened the half with a touchdown drive thanks to another tush push score for Josh Allen. Allen was perfect on the drive, completing all ___ of his passes, which included a big 51-yard bomb to Dalton Kincaid. 

TOUCHDOWN BILLS

Bills 27, Patriots 14

Change of Possession

Another promising prize for the Patriots ends without any points going on the board as they were forced to punt after a delay of game penalty negated a missed field goal attempt from Chad Ryland. 

Change of Possession

The Bills were forced to punt after just six plays as Buffalo couldn't convert a third-and-one. 

Change of Possession

Fourth Quarter 

The Patriots cut the deficit to just one score as they drove 84 yards in seven plays before Ezekiel Elliott found the endzone with a six-yard touchdown run. 

TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS 

Bills 27, Patriots 21

Change of Possession

The Bills were forced to punt again, this time after seven plays as a Josh Allen scramble for four yards almost ended in disaster as he fumbled but Buffalo recovered it.

Change of Possession

After being backed up inside their own five-yard line, the Patriots went three-and-out before another punt.

Change of Possession

FINAL: Buffalo Bills 27, New England Patriots 21

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Harrison Reno
HARRISON RENO

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