FINAL
The Buffalo Bills survived defensive injuries, a pesky New England Patriots team, an off night from Josh Allen the frigid 5-degree weather to hold off New England 24-21 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
The Bills improved to 12-3 but made up no ground on Kansas City in the race for home-field advantage in the AFC. The Chiefs (14-1) defeated the Houston Texans on Saturday.
The Bills played without starting cornerback Rasul Douglas and safeties Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin. Also, linebacker Baylon Spector left the game, and nickel cornerback Taron Johnson missed part of the second half.
Allen appeared to have hurt his right elbow on a running play in the fourth quarter, as well, though he did not miss any playing time. He ran out the clock with a quarterback sneak on the final play of the game.Â
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The Bills host the New York Jets (4-11) at 1 p.m. Sunday, then visit New England on the final week of the regular season.
Fourth quarter, 1:13 remaining
The New England Patriots aren't dead yet.
Benefiting from nine plays inside the 10-yard line (as well as four Buffalo penalties on the drive), the Patriots finally punched in a touchdown on a 9-yard throw from Drake Maye to Hunter Henry, cutting the Bills' lead to three points, 24-21.
The Bills will try an onside kick. They have all three timeouts remaining.
Fourth quarter, 10:10 remaining
The Buffalo Bills' defense has given them a 10-point lead.
Nickel cornerback Taron Johnson fell on a live ball in the New England end zone after quarterback Drake Maye threw backward to running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who couldn't get a handle on the ball.
Defensive end Greg Rousseau knocked down Stevenson, enabling Johnson to snare the loose ball on the goal line, giving the Bills a touchdown and a 24-14 lead.
It was a timely play for the Bills, who have been inconsistent on offense as Josh Allen deals with what could be an injury to his right (throwing) hand. Allen has continued to shake the hand after he seemingly lost his grip on a deep pass attempt during the Bills' previous drive.
Stay tuned.
Third quarter, 6:02 remaining
The Buffalo Bills have their first lead against the New England Patriots today. Tyler Bass connected on a 50-yard field goal after the Bills cashed in on a Patriots turnover.
Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled on the Patriots' first drive of the second half, and linebacker Dorian Williams fell on the ball at the New England 42-yard line. The Bills managed just 10 yards in six plays, and Josh Allen missed an open receiver across the middle when he elected to throw deep (and incomplete) to Khalil Shakir.
Nonetheless, the Bills have their first lead, 17-14.
Third quarter, 9:41 remaining
The Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots are tied at 14.
Opening the second half, the Bills went 68 yards in 5 minutes, 19 seconds, and converted a pair of third downs — including Josh Allen's short 4-yard pass in the flat to James Cook, who trotted into the end zone after a bit of misdirection in the backfield caused the Patriots defense to pause.
It was a badly needed scoring drive for the Bills and for Allen, who was just 9 of 17 passing in the first half.
Allen was 3 of 4 passing on the scoring drive.Â
HALFTIME
The Buffalo Bills trail the New England Patriots 14-7 after a disjointed first half on a bone-chilling night in Orchard Park.
The Patriots scored on their first drives and controlled the clock throughout the first two quarters. Buffalo's only scoring drive lasted four plays and ended with a 46-yard TD run by James Cook.
Josh Allen is just 9 of 17 passing for 78 yards, with an ill-advised deep interception on a desperate heave to the end zone during the second quarter.
New England has an overwhelming edge in time of possession (20:18 to 9:40) and in yards from scrimmage (238-139). The Patriots converted on their first four third-down attempts and later moved the chains on a fourth-and-2 fake punt.
The Bills will get the ball to open the third quarter.
Second quarter, 11:56 remaining
The Buffalo Bills are awake now. So, too, are the frigid fans in Orchard Park.
After the New England Patriots scored to take a 14-pont lead, the Bills answered quickly, as James Cook broke loose for a 46-yard touchdown run on the fourth play of their ensuing series, cutting the Patriots' lead to 14-7.
It is the 14th rushing touchdown this season for Cook, who'd managed just two TDs last year despite having gained 1,122 yards.
Cook broke free through the left side of a six-man offensive line, with reserve Alec Anderson on the field for extra muscle. The Bills have used the six-man line more frequently this season.
Patriots 14, Bills 7.Â
Second quarter, 14:16 remaining
Someone forgot to tell the New England Patriots they were 14-point underdogs.
Rhamondre Stevenson's bruising, tackle-breaking 14-yard touchdown run capped a 16-play, 91-yard drive that has given the Bills a 14-0 lead over the Buffalo Bills in Highmark Stadium.
The Patriots are 4 of 4 on third downs, and they have run 22 offensive plays to the Bills' six.
Josh Allen and the Buffalo offense will get the ball for just the second time today. New England holds a big edge in possession time, 12:56 to 2:48.
First quarter, 12:01 remaining
The New England Patriots have an early lead on the Buffalo Bills at on a bitterly cold later afternoon at Highmark Stadium.
Drake Maye threw a nearly perfect 28-yard touchdown pass to Kayshon Boutte on a fade route in the end zone, giving the Patriots a 7-0 lead before fans could even finish their first hot chocolate.
New England needed just 2 minutes, 59 seconds to move 58 yards. They converted a third-and-9 on a Maye pass to tight end Hunter Henry, then got a 14-yard pass interference penalty against Bills linebacker Baylon Spector.
Patriots 7, Bills 0.
PREGAME
The Buffalo Bills (11-3) are home at Highmark Stadium to take on division rival New England Patriots (3-11) at 4:25 p.m. Follow here for live updates throughout the game.
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