Foxborough, Mass. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - While it certainly wasn't the start they wanted, the Buffalo Bills found a way to come from behind for a second-straight week, downing their AFC East rival New England Patriots, 35-31, on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
After receiving the opening kickoff, the Patriots offense drove down the field 73 yards and capped off their first chance to score with a Drake Maye eight-yard touchdown run on an run/pass option.
Despite a big kickoff return from Ray Davis, the Bills offense sputtered on its opening drive, going three-and-out and punting the ball inside New England territory.
After an exchange of punts from both teams, the Patriots found the end zone once again, and it was the Patriots' second-year quarterback doing it again with his feet. This time, Maye escaped up the middle and found the end zone from seven yards out just before the end of the first quarterback.
The Patriots offense continued to be all over the Buffalo defense in the first half, as New England made it a 21-0 game with 5:53 to go in the second quarter thanks to an explosive 52-yard touchdown run from rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson.
Needing some sort of spark, the Bills offense finally got into scoring position and capitalized.
Just after the two-minute warning, it was quarterback Josh Allen tossing a short five-yard touchdown pass to running back James Cook to cut into the Patriots' lead, 21-7.
New England was given just enough time on the clock to get back into scoring position just before halftime, tacking on a 36-yard field goal from kicker Andy Borregales to take a 24-7 lead heading into the locker room.
Following another big kickoff return from Davis to begin the second half, the Bills found pay dirt again, as Allen connected with tight end Dawson Knox from four yards out to close the gap to 10 just 3:31 into the third quarter.
After forcing a three-and-out of the Patriots to open the second half, Allen and the Buffalo offense went right back to work, perfectly executing an 11-play drive spanning 70 yards and finishing it with a three-yard touchdown run from Cook to make it a one possession contest.
Buffalo came up with the first turnover of the game on New England's next drive, as Maye lobbed a deep pass down the field intended for Mack Hollins that was intercepted by Bills veteran cornerback Tre'Davious White.
The Bills then went on a methodical 13-play drive covering 91 yards in 6:27 of game clock to take the lead for the first time on the afternoon. It was Allen connecting with Knox once again, this time from 14 yards out to give Buffalo a 28-24 lead with 10:03 remaining.
For Knox, his two-touchdown day was a significant one, as he established a new franchise record for the most touchdowns caught by a tight end with 26, surpassing Pete Metzelaars' 25 touchdown receptions.
The Patriots were not down-and-out just yet, though, as Henderson broke free once again, spinning off a group of bodies on the first play from scrimmage and scampering 65 yards for a touchdown to give New England its lead back, 31-28.
Despite falling behind again, the Bills did not quit.
On the very next offensive drive, Buffalo drove back down the field 65 yards on seven plays, and it was Cook giving the Bills the lead again with an 11-yard touchdown run. It was the Bills' fifth touchdown in as many drives, and it gave Buffalo a 35-31 lead with 6:48 to go.
After an exchange of punts from the Patriots and Bills, New England was presented an opportunity to go re-take the lead with a touchdown with just under three minutes remaining on the clock. However, the Buffalo defense never let the Patriots get a first down, as pass rusher Joey Bosa came up with a huge fourth-down stop to force a turnover on downs.
With the clock under two minutes remaining and New England having all three timeouts, the Bills did their job by forcing the Patriots to burn all three timeouts, while securing a first down and another dramatic come-from-behind victory in Foxborough.
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SCORING RECAP
First Quarter:
- 7-0 NEW ENGLAND: Patriots Touchdown (10:21) - Drake Maye takes off for an 8-yard touchdown run. (Andy Borregales' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 8 plays, 73 yards, 4:39
- 14-0 NEW ENGLAND: Patriots Touchdown (0:25) - Drake Maye keeps it and runs in a 7-yard touchdown. (Andy Borregales' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 6 plays, 50 yards, 3:18
Second Quarter:
- 21-0 NEW ENGLAND: Patriots Touchdown (5:53) - TreVeyon Henderson takes off for a 52-yard rushing touchdown. (Andy Borregales' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 8 plays, 94 yards, 4:37
- 21-7 NEW ENGLAND: Bills Touchdown (1:56) - Josh Allen lobs a 5-yard touchdown pass to James Cook. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 7 plays, 42 yards, 3:57
- 24-7 NEW ENGLAND: Patriots Field Goal (0:00) - Andy Borregales' 36-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 7 plays, 47 yards, 1:56
Third Quarter:
- 24-14 NEW ENGLAND: Bills Touchdown (11:29) - Josh Allen fires a 4-yard touchdown pass to Dawson Knox. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 6 plays, 44 yards, 3:31
- 24-21 NEW ENGLAND: Bills Touchdown (3:49) - James Cook finds a hole and punches in a 3-yard touchdown run. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 11 plays, 70 yards, 5:29
Fourth Quarter:
- 28-24 BUFFALO: Bills Touchdown (10:03) - Josh Allen connects with Dawson Knox for a 14-yard touchdown pass. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 13 plays, 91 yards, 6:27
- 31-28 NEW ENGLAND: Patriots Touchdown (9:49) - TreVeyon Henderson breaks free for a 65-yard rushing touchdown. (Andy Borregales' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 1 play, 65 yards, 0:14
- 35-31 BUFFALO: Bills Touchdown (6:48) - James Cook finds some space and finds the end zone with an 11-yard touchdown run. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:01
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills are back on the road next week in Cleveland to take on the Browns at Huntington Bank Field at Huntington Bank Field. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.