Patriots Defeat Bills, Ending NFL’s Unbeaten Streaks Early
The New England Patriots triumphed over the Buffalo Bills with a decisive 23-20 victory, eliminating any chances of an unbeaten team remaining in the NFL just five weeks into the season. The game concluded dramatically with rookie kicker Andy Borregales nailing a 52-yard field goal with only 15 seconds left, capitalizing on a critical 37-yard drive led by quarterback Drake Maye.
In his first game back in Buffalo since being traded to the Houston Texans in April 2024, wide receiver Stefon Diggs made a significant impact, recording 10 receptions for 146 yards. Meanwhile, running back Rhamondre Stevenson excelled with two touchdowns, one of which was set up by a crucial 32-yard catch from Diggs. Maye completed 22 of 30 passes for 273 yards, showcasing his poise under pressure, notably evading defensive tackle DaQuan Jones to deliver a 12-yard completion to Diggs on the pivotal final drive.
Patriots’ Momentum Builds Under New Leadership
This victory marks the first time the Patriots have won back-to-back games since a three-game winning streak during the 2022 season. Under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, the team holds a winning record through five games for the first time since starting the 2019 season with an impressive 8-0 record. The win significantly tightens the race in the AFC East, bringing the Patriots within one game of the defending division champions, the Bills, who now stand at 4-1.
Vrabel praised Maye’s performance, stating, “Just a really gutty performance by Drake. Being able to come back and execute in a critical situation, and take the clock down and win it on our terms – that’s how we practice.”
Before Borregales’ kick, the Bills had an opportunity to take control of the game. However, their drive stalled at the Patriots’ 28-yard line, leading to a field goal from Matt Prater that tied the game at 20 with 2:17 remaining.
Turnovers and Defensive Stands Mark the Game
The Bills entered the match hoping to maintain their unbeaten status, alongside the Philadelphia Eagles, who lost to Denver on the same day. This outcome marks the first time since 2014 and only the seventh instance since the 1970 merger that no team has started the season 5-0.
Buffalo struggled with turnovers, committing three during the game, two of which were attributed to quarterback Josh Allen. Receiver Keon Coleman also contributed to the turnover woes, losing a fumble deep in his territory. Despite his previous MVP status, Allen finished the game with 22 completions on 31 attempts, totaling 253 yards and throwing touchdown passes to both Coleman and Curtis Samuel.
Defensive standout Marcus Jones intercepted Allen in the third quarter as the Bills trailed 13-10, which led to Stevenson’s subsequent touchdown run, extending the Patriots’ lead to 20-10.
Allen acknowledged his team’s mistakes, saying, “We just played sloppy. Not going to win a football game turning the ball over three times. That’s just bad football. We just did not play good tonight.” This loss also snapped the Bills’ regular-season home winning streak at 14 games, just shy of tying a franchise record.
Maye’s performance was particularly noteworthy, especially in the second half, where he completed 13 of 14 passes for 184 yards. Diggs, recovering from a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2024 season, demonstrated his continued progress with consecutive 100-yard games, despite not yet finding the end zone.
As the Patriots celebrate this pivotal win, the landscape of the AFC East continues to shift, promising an exciting season ahead.
