Foxborough, Mass. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The regular season has reached its end, and the Buffalo Bills officially finish the 2024 campaign with a 13-4 record.
In Sunday's regular season finale against the New England Patriots, the Bills come just short of setting a new franchise record for wins in a regular season, falling 23-16 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
After clinching the 2-seed in the AFC Playoffs last Sunday against the New York Jets, this week's game against the Patriots saw many backups take the field for Buffalo, as many starters were able to rest up in time for the playoffs starting next weekend.
It was a solid start from the Buffalo defense, as the unit shut the door on Drake Maye and the Patriots on their opening drive. Veteran pass rusher Von Miller capped the drive by hitting his sacks incentive, as he got to Maye on third down to force a punt.
Josh Allen took the opening snap on offense for the Bills in order to keep his consecutive starts streak alive at 115 games. After handing the ball off the running back James Cook, he headed back to the sidelines in favor of backup Mitch Trubisky.
The opening offensive drive for Buffalo eventually came down to a quarterback keeper on a fourth down, which Trubisky failed to convert, resulting in a turnover on downs.
After his opening series, Maye was pulled from action in favor of third-string quarterback Joe Milton, officially ending the rookie quarterback's season.
Milton ended up leading the Patriots down the field on a 13-play drive, resulting in the game's opening score with a one-yard touchdown run from the rookie quarterback.
The Bills answered back on the next drive, as Trubisky navigated into Patriots territory and deep into the red zone. Just as it looked like the drive might stall out, Trubisky was able to find rookie running back Ray Davis for a two-yard touchdown pass on fourth down.
Milton continued to show out for New England in their last game of the season. He found wide receiver Kayshon Boutte on a deep 48-yard touchdown pass to take the lead back for the Patriots.
Davis helped move the Bills offense right back down the field for a quick answer. Although the drive did not result in a touchdown, Tyler Bass lessened the deficit to 14-10 with a 49-yard field goal.
The clock ended up winding down with both the Bills and Patriots exchanging punts before the clock hit 0:00 for halftime.
Buffalo's offense moved the ball into New England territory on the opening drive of the second half, but elected to punt from the Patriots' 35-yard line after a third down pass from Trubisky intended for rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman fell incomplete.
New England's opening drive of the half only lasted two plays after Milton fumbled an exchange with running back Antonio Gibson, which was recovered by rookie pass rusher Javon Solomon.
This set Trubisky and the offense up in prime scoring position at the Patriots' 16-yard line.
Five plays later, the Bills found paydirt once again, this time from Cook, as he punched the ball from one yard out to tie a franchise record with his 16th rushing touchdown of the season. He matches a mark set by Hall-of-Famer O.J. Simpson back in 1975.
A missed extra point attempt from Bass gave the Bills a 16-14 lead with 7:56 to go in the third quarter.
The Patriots recaptured the lead nearly seven minutes later, 17-16, thanks to a 41-yard field goal kick from Joey Slye.
On the next Buffalo drive, Trubsky's afternoon was over in favor of third-string quarterback Mike White, making his debut with the Bills.
After a three-and-out and a Buffalo punt back, the Patriots extended their lead by three more with a 42-yard field goal from Slye with 8:53 to go in regulation.
The Bills failed to get much of anything going offensively with White under center, with drives to close the game ending in a turnover on downs, a punt, and another turnover on downs.
New England was able to tack on another field goal from Slye, this time from 50 yards out to give the Patriots a seven-point advantage that ended up holding as the final score.
With the win for New England, the Patriots improved their final record to 4-13, which ended up taking them out of the running for the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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SCORING RECAP
First Quarter:
- 7-0 NEW ENGLAND: Patriots touchdown (4:25) - Joe Milton takes off for a 1-yard touchdown run. (Joey Slye's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 13 plays, 55 yards, 7:18
Second Quarter:
- 7-7 TIE: Bills touchdown (12:09) - Mitch Trubisky lobs a 2-yard pass to Ray Davis for a touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 13 plays, 75 yards, 7:16
- 14-7 NEW ENGLAND: Patriots touchdown (9:10) - Joe Milton fires a deep strike to Kayshon Boutte for a 48-yard touchdown. (Joey Slye's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 5 plays, 70 yards, 2:59
- 14-10 NEW ENGLAND: Bills field goal (4:39) - Tyler Bass' 49-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 8 plays, 39 yards, 4:31
Third Quarter:
- 16-14 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (7:56) - James Cook rushes up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt misses wide-right)
Drive info: 5 plays, 16 yards, 2:21
- 17-16 NEW ENGLAND: Patriots field goal (1:00) - Joey Slye's 41-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 12 plays, 54 yards, 6:56
Fourth Quarter:
- 20-16 NEW ENGLAND: Patriots field goal (8:53) - Joey Slye's 42-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 11 plays, 55 yards, 5:09
- 23-16 NEW ENGLAND: Patriots field goal (1:55) - Joey Slye's 50-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 6 plays, 14 yards, 1:19
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills begin their playoff push next Sunday at Highmark Stadium with a matchup against the Denver Broncos. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. EST in Orchard Park, with all the game action available on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.
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