Photos: Bills beat Patriots
The Buffalo Bills hang on to defeat the New England Patriots 24-21 at Highmark Stadium in a frigid faceoff during Week 16 of NFL action. Here are photos from the game.
Cook explodes
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Patriots strike first
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) catches a touchdown pass against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Passing game
Bills quarterback Josh Allen fires a pass downfield against the Patriots during the first quarter Sunday at Highmark Stadium.
No return
Buffalo Bills cornerback Ja'Marcus Ingram (46) and wide receiver Jalen Virgil (89) tackle New England Patriots wide receiver Alex Erickson (14) on punt return during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Out of bounds
Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) knocks New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas (3) out of bounds during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Under pressure
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) lobs a pass over the head of New England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai (48) during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Mayday Maye
Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) pressures New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Over easy
Buffalo Bills cornerback Cam Lewis (39) upends New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Closing in
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) rushes the ball during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Boutte hangs on
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) catches a touchdown pass against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Aftermath
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) and Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam (5) hit the ground after Boutte's touchdown catch during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Signs of the times
Buffalo Bills fans during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Rousseau pressures
Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) pressures New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Hanging on
Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard (43) and cornerback Taron Johnson (7) stop New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) on a keeper during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Breakout play
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Momentum returns
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Dropping back
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks downfield as he runs out of the pocket during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Sidearm
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws a pass under the arm of a charging Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Incredulous
Buffalo Bills cornerback Cam Lewis (39) reacts to a pass interference call during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Ty turns
Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (26) rushes the ball against New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Long ball
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) launches a pass during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Allen intercepted
New England Patriots safety Marte Mapu (15) intercepts a pass intended for Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (26) during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Gibson
New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (4) rushes the ball against Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Austin Johnson (98) during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Missed opportunity
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10) drops a pass as he has a step on New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
MVP
A Buffalo Bills fan holds up a Josh Allen for MVP sign during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Fake punt
The New England Patriots convert a first down against the Buffalo Bills on a fake punt during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Open man
New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper (81) catches a pass against Buffalo Bills linebacker Dorian Williams (42) during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Target downfield
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks downfield during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Cooper
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (18) during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Kincaid
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) makes a catch against New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Game changer
Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (7) recovers a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Defensive TD
Bills cornerback Taron Johnson celebrates with fans after his fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Touchdown!
Buffalo Bills safety Cole Bishop (24) signals to line judge Jeff Bergman (32) as cornerback Taron Johnson recovers a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Wide open
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) makes a catch for a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Allen tripped up
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is tripped up by New England Patriots defensive end Keion White (99) during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Recovered
Bills linebacker Dorian Williams recovers a fumble by Patriots running back Antonio Gibson in the third quarter Sunday.
Boutte catch
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) makes a catch against Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam (5) during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Down the sideline
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis (22) runs up the sideline against New England Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss (53) during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Fan-tastic
Buffalo Bills fan Shane Murray catches a ball that Josh Allen threw out of bounds during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Cook is cooking
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) rushes the ball during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Coleman catch
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) makes a catch against New England Patriots cornerback Alex Austin (28) during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Sore wrist
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) clutches his throwing hand after a hard hit during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Coach
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Davis v. Austin
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis (22) has a step on a diving New England Patriots cornerback Alex Austin (28) during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Allen stopped
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) rushes the ball against New England Patriots linebacker Yannick Ngakoue (55) during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Shakir shakes Jones
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10) puts a move on New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Turnover
Buffalo Bills cornerback Cam Lewis (39) celebrates his interception during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Jolly fan
A Buffalo Bills fan in a Santa beard cheers during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Cook breaks loose
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) tries to break loose from New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Running away
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10) turns away from New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Allen rushes
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) turns downfield against New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Momentum shift
Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (7) celebrates his fumble recovery for a touchdown with safety Cole Bishop (24) during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Maye on the run
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws the ball away as he is chased by Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
Good game
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) shake hands after the game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
It’s hard to imagine a worse start to a game than what the Buffalo Bills’ defense had Sunday. At the end of the first quarter, it would have been lunacy to think the defense would be the unit that spearheaded Buffalo’s comeback victory, but that’s exactly how it played out in the second half of a 24-21 win over the Patriots.
Bills running back James Cook increased his rushing total to 14, tied for most in the league. He's ready for the playoffs, Ryan O'Halloran writes.
It’s hard to quantify all the ways in which Greg Rousseau’s 6-foot-7 height and 83¼-inch wingspan impact plays on the football field. Rousseau didn’t get an official statistic for the pivotal play in Sunday’s game, but his massive frame helped create a touchdown in the Bills' victory. Here’s a review of key plays.