Bills vs. Patriots on Sunday Night Football: Drake Maye, New England hand Buffalo its first loss of season, 2320 Frank Schwab October 6, 2025 at 11:29 AM 4 Josh Allen is one of the NFL's best quarterbacks. He has an MVP to prove it. Drake Maye isn't on his level yet.
- - Bills vs. Patriots on Sunday Night Football: Drake Maye, New England hand Buffalo its first loss of season, 23-20
Frank Schwab October 6, 2025 at 11:29 AM
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Josh Allen is one of the NFL's best quarterbacks. He has an MVP to prove it.
Drake Maye isn't on his level yet. But he had a performance on Sunday night that we could look back on as the start of a fun AFC East quarterback rivalry. Especially if Stefon Diggs, a former Bill, contributes like he did on Sunday night.
The Bills were the NFL's lone undefeated team for about seven hours. The Eagles, who along with Buffalo were 4-0 coming into Week 5, lost to the Broncos early on Sunday. Then the Bills got upset Sunday night when Maye put together a huge drive in the final minutes to get a field goal with 15 seconds left and the 23-20 win. The Patriots are just a game behind the Bills in the AFC East with a valuable head-to-head road win over Buffalo in hand.
Stefon Diggs had 10 catches for 146 receiving yards against Buffalo. (Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images) (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / Reuters)
One of the big catches of that game-winning drive was from Diggs, who gained 12 yards after grabbing a pass from Maye that the QB somehow delivered as he was being dragged to the ground. Diggs had 10 catches for 146 yards and got some revenge on the Bills, who traded him after the 2023 season.
NBC's Melissa Stark asked Diggs if the game was personal.
"One-hundred percent," Diggs said. "Obviously I love those guys, still got a good relationship with those guys, got a lot of respect for them, but I love the game of football more."
[Get more Patriots news: New England team feed]
Maye has shown flashes of talent since he was the third pick of last year's NFL Draft, and also some inconsistency. What will matter most is if he can lead wins against elite teams, specifically the division rival Bills and their elite quarterback. On Sunday night, Maye played well and hit a few huge passes to get the Patriots into field-goal range in the final minute. It was the biggest moment of Maye's pro career. He had 273 yards, including two huge completions to get the Patriots in position to win in the final seconds.
Maye and the Patriots put the Bills on notice. Buffalo might have a competitor in the AFC East after all.
A sloppy first half
Sunday night's game looked like a Thursday night game in which both teams were plagued by sloppy mistakes on short rest. It was a bad first half for both teams. There were multiple fumbles, and yet neither offense took advantage when presented with good field position off those turnovers. Each team settled for field goals after failing to punch it in the end zone. There were penalties, sacks and a general lack of sharpness. It was odd to see the Bills play to that level.
Late in the first half, the Patriots got to the 1-yard line on a Bills penalty, but Hunter Henry couldn't react to Drake Maye's quick pass in time to make a catch, and with one second left in the half the Patriots settled for another field goal.
There were no touchdowns in the first half, but the Patriots had a 6-3 lead. Neither team could have been happy with how it played, but at least New England could be content to lead the NFL's last unbeaten team on the road.
Patriots take a big lead
Finally there was a touchdown to start the second half. The Bills went 66 yards on 10 plays and Curtis Samuel caught a 6-yard pass from Allen for a touchdown, the first of the game.
The Patriots then put together their best drive of the game. Drake Maye hit a couple of nice passes and Rhamondre Stevenson had a 4-yard touchdown run to get the lead back for New England.
The Patriots kept the momentum going, and the Bills didn't. Allen threw an interception that has been rare for him in recent seasons, allowing Marcus Jones to undercut a route in the red zone for the pick. The Patriots had a 90-yard drive after that interception and Stevenson scored his second touchdown. Suddenly the Patriots led 20-10 and the Bills were seemingly in trouble. But they're never truly out of a game with Allen at quarterback.
Allen is one of the NFL's best comeback quarterbacks, and he threw a touchdown pass to Keon Coleman with 7:37 left. The Bills had another drive into Patriots territory, but New England cornerback Christian Gonzalez had a huge pass breakup on third down and the Bills settled for the field goal and the tie.
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER37 updates -
Mon, October 6, 2025 at 2:30 PM GMT+11Jason OwensDrake Maye delivers to end Bills' undefeated season
Buffalo's undefeated season is no more.
Drake Maye delivered when it mattered to lead the Patriots to a 23-20 win in his first prime-time game as a pro. He led the Patriots to a game-winning field goal with 15 seconds remaining to beat Josh Allen and the Bills in their home stadium.
What a night for the second-year pro. And there are no more undefeated NFL teams five weeks into the season.
Maye completed 22 of 30 passes for 273 yards in the win. Former Bill Stefon Diggs caught 10 of those passes for 146 yards, including two big gains that set up touchdown runs in his first game back in Buffalo.
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 2:27 PM GMT+11Jason OwensAndres Borregales puts Patriots ahead late
The Patriots offense set Andres Borregales up, and the rookie kicker delivered.
Borregales nailed a 52-yard field goal with 15 seconds remaining to give New England a 23-20 lead. The Bills get the ball back and need a miracle.
ANDY FOR THE WIN. pic.twitter.com/GpVvN6t75H
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 6, 2025
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 2:23 PM GMT+11Jason OwensDrake Maye, worth another look
Check out the Drake Maye stiff-arm on 320-pound Daquan Jones:
Drake Maye is something special.NEvsBUF on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/uC1xeac3wl
— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2025
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 2:20 PM GMT+11Jason OwensDrake Maye, what?!
This should've been a sack.
DaQuan Jones had Drake Maye dead to rights with a nice jump off the snap. But Maye escaped his grasp and a barreling Joey Bosa to get rid of the ball.
And it wasn't just a throwaway. He found Stefon Diggs for a completion. Instead of a sack, it was a 12-yard New England gain on first down, and the Patriots are in business with a chance to win the game.
Stefon Diggs' 10th catch of the night gives the Patriots a crucial first down at the end of the 4th! pic.twitter.com/3kPFus0Q0F
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 6, 2025
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 2:14 PM GMT+11Jason OwensBills settle for a FG
New England's defense came up when it mattered most.
The Bills drove to the edge of the red zone but settled for a game-tying field goal after failing to convert on third-and-10. Josh Allen bought time with a scramble and delivered a pass over the middle to Khalil Shakir.
But cornerback Christian Gonzalez came from behind to break up the pass and force the field goal. The game's tied at 20-20 with 2:17 remaining. It's now Drake Maye's turn with a chance to lead New England on a game-winning drive.
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 2:04 PM GMT+11Jason OwensBills force a punt
The Bills got exactly what they wanted out of their defense. Buffalo forced a Patriots punt and allowed just 1:45 to run off the clock.
The Bills have the ball back with 5:52 remaining and a 20-17 deficit at home. This is where Josh Allen thrives. Will the Bills pull off another fourth-quarter rally from a double-digit deficit?
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 1:56 PM GMT+11Jason OwensBills score TD, put pressure back on Patriots
There was no Bills turnover this time. Buffalo drove 74 yards on eight plays and capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen to Keon Coleman.
The score cuts New England's lead to 20-17 and puts the pressure back on the Patriots with 7:37 remaining. Roughing the passer and unnecessary roughness penalties by the Patriots on consecutive plays gave the Bills 30 yards on the drive.
It's now on Drake Maye and the Patriots offense to keep the ball out of Allen's hands.
Keon Coleman hauls in the TD to close the gap! pic.twitter.com/GMoIyh2MoX
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 6, 2025
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 1:43 PM GMT+11Jason OwensDrake Maye to Stefon Diggs is electric
Drake Maye is dealing, and Stefon Diggs is delivering with the ball. The pair connected on another big play to put the Patriots in the red zone. Rhamondre Stevenson capitalized with his second touchdown of the night.
The Patriots have a stunning 20-10 fourth-quarter lead, and the Bills need another big rally at home to remain undefeated. Diggs is up to nine catches for 134 yards.
Stefon Diggs brings the Patriots closer to another score! pic.twitter.com/r34uYgR6hu
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 6, 2025
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 1:38 PM GMT+11Jason OwensPatriots lead after 3
Improbably, the Patriots hold a 13-10 lead after three quarters. They'll start the fourth with the ball and a first down.
Can the Patriots pull off the Sunday night stunner to hand the Bills their first loss of the season? Or will the Bills mount another fourth-quarter comeback?
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 1:34 PM GMT+11Jason OwensJosh Allen commits 3rd Bills turnover of the night with red-zone INT
The Bills looked primed for their second touchdown in two possessions, but another turnover stunted the drive.
This time it was a Josh Allen interception in the red zone. Allen looked downfield on second-and-13 from the New England 19 and threw into double coverage. Cornerback Marcus Jones jumped the route and came down with the interception, Allen's second turnover of the game.
.@MarcusJonesocho jumping the route 👊📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/tuFlGu4PGd
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 6, 2025
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 1:22 PM GMT+11Jason OwensDeep sideline pass from Drake Maye to Stefon Diggs sets up go-ahead Patriots TD
It's a touchdown bonanza.
After zero touchdowns in the first half, we're now up to two in two drives in the second. New England posted a quick-strike touchdown drive capped by a Rhamondre Stevenson run to retake the lead at 13-10 with 6:34 left in the third quarter.
A deep sideline pass from a scrambling Drake Maye on a nice sideline route by Stefon Diggs set up the score.
Stefon Diggs makes an INCREDIBLE catch to put the Patriots within striking distance! pic.twitter.com/O98BuyOkPm
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 6, 2025
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 1:13 PM GMT+11Jason OwensBills find the end zone
That's the offense Bills fans showed up to watch.
Buffalo marched 71 yards on 10 plays to open the second half and finished with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen to Curtis Samuel. The first touchdown for either team gives the Bills a 10-6 lead.
JOSH ALLEN ↗️ CURTIS SAMUEL FOR THE FIRST TD OF THE GAME! BILLS TAKE THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/DEmdREZpa8
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 6, 2025
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 1:04 PM GMT+11Jason OwensBills have the ball first in 2nd half: Can they find the end zone
The Bills have the ball first to start the second half still in search of their first touchdown. Will Buffalo's high-powered offense find its footing tonight?
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 12:58 PM GMT+11Jason OwensPatriots 6, Bills 3: Key halftime stats
That was not a half of football fit for primetime.
The Bills and Patriots combined for five punts, four fumbles (3 lost) and just 9 points between them. It's added up to a surprising 6-3 Patriots lead against a Bills team that was heavily favored coming into the game. Can the Bills find their offense at home after halftime?
BillsJosh Allen: 9 of 11, 100 yards, 4 carries, 32 yards; 0 touchdowns, 1 lost fumbleJames Cook: 9 carries 32 yardsDalton Kincaid: 3 catches, 48 yardsKeon Coleman: 1 catch, 2 yards, 1 lost fumble
PatriotsDrake Maye: 9 of 16, 89 yards, no touchdowns or turnoversRhamondre Stevenson: 1 carry, -2 yards, 1 catch, 7 yards, 1 lost fumbleAntonio Gibson: 6 carries, 21 yardsTreVeyon Henderson: 3 carries, 19 yardsStefon Diggs: 3 catches, 33 yardsHunter Henry: 1 catch, 22 yards
Bills total yards: 159 on 6.1 yards per playPatriots total yards: 135 on 4.4 yards per playBills turnovers: 2Patriots turnovers: 1
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 12:50 PM GMT+11Jason OwensPatriots drive, settle for FG, 6-3 halftime lead
Drake Maye made a pair of nice plays with a 22-yard pass to Hunter Henry and a 9-yard scramble to get inside the 10-yard line. But Henry couldn't hang on to a pass at the goal line on first-and-goal from the 1 as the clock ticked down to the final second of the half.
With time running out, the Patriots settled for a field goal and head into halftime with a surprising 6-3 lead.
Drake Maye took a couple hits getting the Patriots to first and goal. pic.twitter.com/4kYYAYKuSp
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 6, 2025
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 12:39 PM GMT+11Jason OwensAntonio Gibson out with a knee injury
Tough news for Patriots running back Antonio Gibson.
He's been ruled out with a knee injury before halftime after limping off the field following a big hit on a kickoff return. He had tears in his eyes as he left the field. The nature of the injury isn't clear, but it doesn't sound good.
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 12:36 PM GMT+11Jason OwensTreVeyon Henderson sighting
It took a fumble from Rhamondre Stevenson and a fumble and apparent injury from Antonio Gibson. But much-lauded rookie Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson has touched the ball.
The second-round rookie just took his first carry of the game 13 yards for a New England first down at the 2-minute warning.
Rookie TreVeyon Henderson gets a carry for 13 yards NEvsBUF on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/BzPRW9YMEI
— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2025
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 12:34 PM GMT+11Jason OwensPatriots sack Josh Allen, and there's another punt
The punt total is now up to five. The Patriots sacked Josh Allen on third-and-7, and the Bills have punted back to the Patriots with 2:22 remaining before halftime.
Buffalo's now punted twice, fumbled twice and kicked a field goal in five possessions. The game remains tied at 3-3.
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 12:27 PM GMT+11Jason OwensPatriots punt again
New England has punted back to the Bills with 6:24 remaining in the half.
If you're counting, that's now a grand total of four punts, four fumbles and six points in 23:36 of football.
- Mon, October 6, 2025 at 12:19 PM GMT+11Jason OwensPatriots RB Antonio Gibson limps off after hit, fumble on kick return
Patriots running back Antonio Gibson limped off the field after a big hit that resulted in a fumble on a kick return. The nature of his injury is unclear.
The Patriots recovered the fumble and maintain possession. That's the fourth fumble of the game, which is early in the second quarter.
ANOTHER LOOSE BALL! The Patriots were able to recover it 👀 pic.twitter.com/5aUSRO6fEu
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 6, 2025
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Source: "AOL Sports"
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