Orchard Park, NY (WBEN) The Buffalo Bills entered Sunday's game with the lead in the AFC East and a three game lead over the New England Patriots, but have dropped every game between the two in Orchard Park for the past nine years.
On a windy and rainy afternoon, the Bills were the first team put points on the scoreboard thanks to a 10 yard run by rookie, running back, Zack Moss.
New England was only able to muster a pair of field goals by Nick Folk, the second one late in the first half following a Josh Allen interception. Buffalo also losing staring center, Mitch Morse to a concussion in the first half.
Despite losing Morse for the remainder of the game, Buffalo opened the second half with a 5 play drive capped by Moss' second rushing touchdown on the day.
New England was able to answer with a 22 yard scoring run by Damien Harris followed by a two-point conversion, tying the game at 14. On the next drive, following an on-side kick attempt by New England, the Bills got their third rushing score of the day, this time it was Allen calling a quarterback draw from two yards out.
Not to be outdone by Allen, Patriots' quarterback, Cam Newton answered with his own two yard score which capped a seven play drive. The Bills responded with a 10 play drive which culminated with a 28 yard field goal by Tyler Bass, giving Buffalo the 24-21 lead late in the game.
But when it comes to playing the Patriots nothing is ever locked down until the end as Newton led the team on another drive, moving New England into field goal range, not to mention a potential game winning touchdown. With 37 seconds remaining Newton rushed for 5 yards to the Buffalo 14 and lost the football, the Bills' Justin Zimmer recovered to secure the win.
"Honestly, I don't know what to feel right now," Zimmer said. "I'm still just like breathing heavy from the game, just excited. It'll probably take me a good 24 hours to realize kind of everything that happened."
Buffalo improved to 6-2 on season and will host the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday in Orchard Park.
Jerry Hughes has too often watched the Patriots snatch victory away from the Buffalo Bills in what has been an AFC East rivalry that for too long tilted in New England's favor.
"Man, that was fun," said Hughes, who was 2-12 during his first seven seasons against New England. "It feels good, to be honest with you, to be on the other side of the spectrum, to be watching our offense hit that victory formation. It felt amazing."
TAKE THE POINTS
Belichick elected to take the points and not risk a sack in the final seconds of the first half. With no timeouts remaining and facing third-and-1 at the Buffalo 16, the Patriots elected to have Folk hit a 33-yard field goal to cut the Bills' lead to 7-6.
INJURIES
Patriots: Defensive lineman Lawrence Guy did not return after hurting his shoulder in the second half. Linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley hurt his groin in the fourth quarter.
Bills: Center Mitch Morse did not return after sustaining a head injury on Buffalo's opening drive. RB/special teamer Taiwan Jones was ruled out after hurting his hamstring in the third quarter.
ANTHEM
The Bills continued their season-long decision to stay inside their locker room for the performance of the national anthem.
UP NEXT
Bills: Host Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in stretch of facing three NFC West opponents in five weeks.
