Top News

Drake Maye Leads Patriots Past Bills, 23-20 Victory

Sandy Verma | October 7, 2025 4:24 AM CST

Drake Maye Leads Patriots Past Bills, 23-20 Victory/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Drake Maye led the New England Patriots to a 23-20 upset over the previously undefeated Buffalo Bills, leaving the NFL without a perfect team through Week 5. Stefon Diggs, facing his former team, delivered a standout performance with 146 receiving yards. The win marked back-to-back victories for the Patriots and tightened the AFC East race.

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, left, and New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry, right, celebrate a play against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) celebrates his touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Patriots Upset Bills Quick Looks

Rookie QB Drake Maye threw for 273 yards and led the game-winning drive.
Stefon Diggs caught 10 passes for 146 yards in a dominant return to Buffalo.
Rhamondre Stevenson scored two rushing touchdowns, including a go-ahead score.
Andy Borregales nailed a 52-yard field goal with 15 seconds left to seal the win.
The Patriots improved to 3-2, their first winning record through five games since 2019.
Josh Allen threw two TDs but had two costly turnovers as Buffalo’s 14-game home win streak ended.
The NFL now has no unbeaten teams for the first time since Week 5 of 2014.
The Bills dropped to 4-1 after an error-filled night that included three turnovers and 11 penalties.
Buffalo’s defense gave up 184 second-half passing yards to Maye.
Injuries hit both teams, with Antonio Gibson and Matt Milano leaving the game early.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (1) scores a touchdown on a catch and run against the New England Patriots during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (1) celebrates his touchdown catch with teammates Khalil Shakir (10) during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Deep Look

Drake Maye Outduels Josh Allen as Patriots Hand Bills First Loss of the Season, 23-20

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Rookie quarterback Drake Maye passed another major test Sunday night, guiding the New England Patriots to a stunning 23-20 road victory over the previously undefeated Buffalo Billsleaving the NFL without a single unbeaten team just five weeks into the 2025 season.

Maye, the second-year signal caller out of North Carolina, led the Patriots on a clutch final drive capped by a 52-yard field goal from Andy Borregales with just 15 seconds remaining, silencing a stunned Buffalo crowd and ending the Bills’ 14-game home winning streak.

The performance marked a statement game for the Patriots, who are showing signs of revival under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel and a maturing Maye.

Diggs Delivers a Statement in Buffalo Return

Much of the drama centered around Stefon Diggswho returned to Orchard Park for the first time since being traded from the Bills in April 2024. Now a Patriot, Diggs torched his former team for 10 catches and 146 yardsincluding several crucial grabs on third down and the final drive.

Diggs’ chemistry with Maye is proving potent. After recording six receptions for 101 yards last week, his connection with the rookie quarterback continues to fuel the Patriots’ offensive resurgence.

Patriots Rising, Bills Sloppy

With the win, the Patriots improved to 3-2, marking their first winning record through five games since 2019. It’s also their first time winning consecutive games since 2022.

Running back Rhamondre Stevenson added two touchdownsscoring on 4- and 7-yard runs. Meanwhile, Maye went 22-of-30 for 273 yardsincluding an astonishing 13-of-14 passing for 184 yards in the second half alone.

Buffalo, now 4-1was plagued by costly turnovers and penalties. Quarterback Josh Allen, last year’s MVP, finished 22-of-31 for 253 yards and two touchdowns — but also had a muffed handoff and a critical interception deep in New England territory.

Wide receiver Keon Coleman also lost a fumble, and Buffalo committed 11 penalties for 90 yardsdisrupting offensive rhythm and stalling key drives.

NFL’s Unbeaten Teams Gone in Week 5

With the Eagles also losing earlier on Sunday to Denver, the Patriots’ win officially eliminated the league’s last two unbeaten teams. It marks the first time since 2014 — and just the seventh since the 1970 merger — that no team reached 5-0.

Buffalo’s usually potent offense was limited to just 20 points — only the fourth time since 2024 they’ve failed to eclipse that mark. The Patriots defense also held star running back James Cook to just 49 yards on 15 carriesending his streak of eight games with a rushing touchdown.

Game-Changing Moments

The defining play came on the Patriots’ final drive. Facing immediate pressure, Maye dodged a near sack from DaQuan Jones and found Diggs for a 12-yard gainigniting the game-winning march.

Buffalo responded by driving into Patriots territory, but their final effort stalled at the New England 28. Matt Prater’s 45-yard field goal tied the game with 2:17 left — only for Maye and Diggs to steal the show once again.

Injury Report

Patriots: RB Antonio Gibson exited in the second quarter with a knee injury on a kickoff return and did not return.
Bills: LB Matt Milan re-injured his pectoral and missed the second half. C Connor McGovern returned after undergoing hand X-rays. DT Ed Oliver missed his fourth consecutive game with a sprained ankle.