The Buffalo Bills’ offense looked horrific for much of the first half of Sunday’s pivotal AFC East showdown against the New England Patriots, amassing zero total yards in the first quarter and punting on its first three possessions.
The Bills’ defense didn’t fare much better, allowing quarterback Drake Maye and New England to break off several big plays, perhaps none more demoralizing than TreVeyon Henderson’s 52-yard touchdown run that put the Patriots up 21-0 with 5:53 remaining in the opening half.
But like they did during last week’s rally from a double-digit deficit, quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills displayed their resiliency, stringing together five consecutive touchdowns to spark a furious come-from-behind win, 35-31, the the largest deficit overcome by a visiting team to win at Gillette Stadium.
Before we turn our attention to Buffalo’s Week 16 game at the Cleveland Browns, today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks offers up final observations and lessons learned from the Bills’ comeback win over New England.
Final observations on Bills win over Patriots
The Bills knew Sunday’s clash in Foxborough, MA was a “hat and t-shirt” game for the Patriots, meaning a win for New England would clinch the AFC East and halt Buffalo’s five-year reign over the division. With their backs against the wall down 21-0, the Bills mounted an improbable comeback.
Josh Allen out-dueled MVP candidate Drake Maye, running back James Cook III dashed through the snow for another 100-yard game, returner Ray Davis consistently set the team up for great position with his kickoff returns, linebacker Matt Milano turned in a vintage performance, and the defense, which allowed 285 yards in the first half, clamped down and surrendered only 100 yards of offense in the second half.
Linked below: Following another game where Josh Allen helped orchestrate a comeback win where the Bills trailed by double digits, it’s fair to ponder how sustainable this style of play is for Buffalo. Plus, how the Bills deployed Ty Johnson to help milk the clock and seal the win; how Buffalo’s run defense rebounded with a solid second-half performance; and more!
- Upon Further Review: A by-the-numbers look at the Bills’ remarkable second-half point differential – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- OPINION: Comeback Bills do it again – WGR 550
- Carucci Take 2: Like it or not, following dramatic script is what these Bills do – WGRZ
- 4 things that stood out in Bills’ resurgent Week 15 win against Patriots – Democrat & Chronicle
- Josh Allen earns high grade for ‘ferocious comeback’ win over Patriots – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Further Review podcast: Josh Allen can’t always be Superman – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Bills used backup Ty Johnson to run out clock vs. Patriots – and he delivered – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Big questions from Week 15 games: Can the Rams take the 1-seed? What now for the Chiefs? – ESPN.com
- What They’re Saying | NFL analysts react to Buffalo’s comeback win in AFC East battle against New England – BuffaloBills.com
- NFL Insider Says Bills Can ‘Beat Anyone, Anywhere’ Following Win Vs. Patriots – NESN.com
- Three questions following the Buffalo Bills’ stunning comeback win vs. Patriots – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Patriots coach Mike Vrabel criticizes officiating following loss to Bills – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Patriots coach can’t accept defeat gracefully, blames refs after blowing massive lead to Bills – newyorkupstate.com
- Mike Vrabel blames refs after Buffalo Bills’ Week 15 win over New England Patriots – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
Even more Bills news
The Bills will not have the services of reliable veteran kicker Matt Prater when the team takes on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Plus, Josh Allen has inserted himself back into the MVP race; celebrating the fact that the Kansas City Chiefs will not match Buffalo’s record of four consecutive Super Bowl appearances; and checking in to see where Buffalo finds itself in the AFC playoff picture.
- Matt Prater’s quad injury will force Bills to sign a kicker for Browns game – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Bills kicker Matt Prater ruled out for matchup at Browns, more team injury updates going into Week 16 – BuffaloBills.com
- Kicker injury places Buffalo Bills in tough spot for Week 16 vs. Cleveland Browns – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Scoop City: Josh Allen makes MVP a three-horse race – The Athletic (subscription required)
- Bills fans rejoice: Chiefs eliminated from playoffs & cannot tie Buffalo’s consecutive Super Bowl streak – newyorkupstate.com
- Where do the Bills stand in the AFC playoff picture with 3 games left? – WGRZ
- Bills playoff picture: How Buffalo can make playoffs, overtake Patriots for AFC East – Democrat & Chronicle
- NFL playoff picture, standings, scores, updates: Bills get huge win, Chiefs eliminated – Democrat & Chronicle
Buffalo Bills articles recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings
- Ray Davis has found his lane on special teams in 2025 – Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills at Patriots Week 15 snap counts – Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills open as big road favorites over Browns in Week 16 – Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills doomsday scenario: The unlikely path to Buffalo missing the playoffs – Buffalo Rumblings
