Bills rally from 14 down to stymie Patriots

Field Level Media|published: Sun 22nd December, 20:02 2024

Dec 22, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Alex Erickson (14) is tackled by Buffalo Bills wide receiver Jalen Virgil (89) on a kickoff return in the first quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

James Cook finished with 126 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, and the Buffalo Bills escaped with a 24-21 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday evening in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Josh Allen completed 16 of 29 passes for 154 yards, one touchdown and one interception for Buffalo (12-3). Allen also carried the ball six times for 30 yards as the Bills won for the ninth time in their past 10 games.

Drake Maye completed 22 of 36 passes for 261 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for New England (3-12). Rhamondre Stevenson had 12 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown, and Kayshon Boutte and Hunter Henry each caught a touchdown pass.

New England cut the deficit to three points with 1:13 remaining in the fourth quarter when Henry caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Maye.

Buffalo recovered an onside kick moments later, and the Patriots never got the ball back as Allen secured the victory with a quarterback keeper for a first down in the final seconds.

The Patriots opened the scoring on their first drive of the game. Maye lobbed a pass down the right sideline for Boutte, who made the catch for a 28-yard touchdown.

Stevenson scored on a 14-yard run to increase New England's lead to 14-0 with 14:16 remaining in the second quarter. The touchdown capped a 16-play, 91-yard drive.

Buffalo responded with a touchdown on the next possession to cut its deficit to 14-7. Cook carried the ball up the middle, dodged a defender and broke free for a 46-yard score.

The Bills evened the score at 14 thanks to Cook's second score, this time through the air. He caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Allen as he sprinted from right to left.

Buffalo grabbed its first lead on a 50-yard field goal by Tyler Bass that made it 17-14 midway through the third quarter. The Bills' defense set up the score as Dorian Williams recovered a fumble by the Patriots' Stevenson at the New England 42-yard line.

Another Patriots turnover allowed the Bills to increase their lead to 24-14 with 10:10 to go. Maye threw a backward pass that bounced off Stevenson's hands, and Bills cornerback Taron Johnson pounced on the live ball in the end zone for a touchdown.

--Field Level Media

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