WATCH: Patriots Stay Alive at Bills with Zeke TD

The New England Patriots are taking things to the wire in their Week 17 matchup with the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.

The New England Patriots refuse to go quietly into the Western New York evening on New Year’s Eve. 

Facing a 27-14 deficit early in the fourth quarter of their Week 17 matchup with the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, Pats quarterback Bailey Zappe led his team on a seven-play, 84-yard drive to pull the team within a single-score of tying the game against their division rivals. 

New England’s scoring drive was highlighted by Zappe’s pass to the deep left, which found receiver Jalen Reagor to the Buffalo 30-yard-line for a 39 yard-gain. The Patriots second-year quarterback then connected on a short-left strike rookie receiver DeMario Douglas who ran out of bounds for 17 yards. An unnecessary roughness penalty advanced the ball an additional seven yards setting up a six-yard touchdown run from Ezekiel Elliott. 

Dive on in, Zeke!@EzekielElliott | #NEvsBUF

📺: #NEvsBUF on CBS pic.twitter.com/ii9KOqtoSH

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 31, 2023

Sunday’s game marks the second and final meeting of the season between the two division rivals. The Patriots beat Buffalo, 29-25, at Gillette Stadium in Week 7 and will be looking for a series sweep of the Bills for the first time since 2019.

New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Tight end Hunter Henry is missing his second straight game due to a lingering knee injury. 

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In addition to saftey Jabrill Peppers and receiver Kayshon Boutte — who were previously ruled out due to injury and illness respectively — the Pats are also without the services of defensive end Sam Roberts (healthy inactive) and Trent Brown — who was removed from the injury report earlier this week.