Drake Maye led the New England Patriots to a surprising 23-20 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football, marking Buffalo’s first loss of the season.
Maye’s Impressive Performance
Although Josh Allen is among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks, Maye’s performance hinted at a budding rivalry in the AFC East. Maye orchestrated a crucial drive in the final minutes, setting up a game-winning field goal with just 15 seconds left.
Diggs contributed significantly, catching 10 passes for 146 yards, including a key 12-yard catch during the final drive. He acknowledged the emotional weight of playing against his former teammates, stating, “One-hundred percent” when asked if the game felt personal.
First Half Struggles
The game started poorly for both teams, resembling a Thursday night contest plagued by errors. Neither team capitalized on turnovers, with both settling for field goals after strong defensive plays. Despite an unproductive first half, the Patriots led 6-3 at the break.
In the closing moments of the first half, the Patriots reached the 1-yard line but could not score a touchdown, forcing a field goal instead.
Patriots Gain Momentum
In the third quarter, the Bills scored first with a touchdown pass from Allen to Curtis Samuel. However, the Patriots quickly retaliated, as Maye connected on key passes and Stevenson scored to regain the lead.
The Bills faced challenges, including an interception by Allen that led to another Patriots touchdown. Despite trailing 20-10, Allen threw a touchdown pass late in the game, but a strong defensive stand from New England limited the Bills to a tie-securing field goal.
