New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills match player stats tell the story of the most electric rivalry in the AFC East, and in 2026 the numbers are more compelling than ever.
Two franchises, two superstar quarterbacks, and a division title always on the line. Drake Maye and Josh Allen defined the 2025 season series with individual brilliance, clutch moments, and jaw-dropping statistics.
2025 Season Series Overview
The 2025 season delivered two unforgettable chapters in this rivalry. The Patriots won Game 1 on Sunday Night Football in Buffalo, and the Bills fought back to take Game 2 in a dramatic December comeback at Gillette Stadium.
The season series ended split 1-1, with each team winning on the road. That rare split kept the AFC East race tight deep into December and set up a thrilling playoff picture.
Game 1 Box Score: Patriots 23 – Bills 20 (Week 5, October 5, 2025)
The Week 5 Sunday Night Football matchup was Drake Maye’s primetime coming-out party. He led a game-winning drive in the final two minutes, setting up a 52-yard field goal by Andrés Borregales as time expired.
The Patriots went into Highmark Stadium as underdogs and left with one of the most significant early-season wins in the AFC. New England improved to 3-2 and sent a clear message to the rest of the conference.
Team Stats — Game 1
| Category | New England Patriots | Buffalo Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 23 | 20 |
| Total Yards | 318 | 342 |
| Passing Yards | 273 | 204 |
| Rushing Yards | 45 | 138 |
| First Downs | 19 | 22 |
| Time of Possession | 28:14 | 31:46 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Sacks | 2 | 3 |
| Third Down Conversions | 7/14 | 6/13 |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 2/3 | 1/3 |
| Penalties | 5-45 | 7-58 |
Josh Allen threw three turnovers in that game, and the Patriots cashed in on every one. Turnovers were the difference-maker, with New England converting Buffalo’s mistakes into 10 points.
Drake Maye — Game 1 Passing Stats
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 22/30 |
| Passing Yards | 273 |
| Touchdowns | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer Rating | 116.4 |
| Completion % | 73.3% |
| Longest Pass | 38 yards |
| Sacks Taken | 3 |
| 4th Quarter Completion % | 100% |
Maye’s fourth quarter was flawless. He completed all six of his attempts in the final period, including a precise 19-yard sideline throw to Kayshon Boutte that moved the Patriots into field goal range on the game-winning drive.
His stat line was clean, efficient, and historic for a second-year quarterback on the road in primetime. The 100% completion rate in the fourth quarter was the standout number of the evening.
Josh Allen — Game 1 Stats
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 18/29 |
| Passing Yards | 204 |
| Touchdowns | 2 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Fumbles Lost | 1 |
| Passer Rating | 72.8 |
| Rushing Attempts | 9 |
| Rushing Yards | 62 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 0 |
Allen’s three turnovers buried the Bills despite his strong rushing numbers. He scored both of Buffalo’s touchdowns through the air but could not protect the football when it mattered most.
His 62 rushing yards showed his dual-threat capability, but the turnover differential told the full story of why Buffalo lost a game they dominated in time of possession.
Stefon Diggs — Game 1 Receiving Stats
One of the most emotionally charged performances of the entire 2025 AFC East season came from Stefon Diggs in his return to Buffalo. Playing against his former team for the first time, Diggs delivered one of the year’s most memorable individual lines.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 7 |
| Targets | 9 |
| Receiving Yards | 94 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Yards After Catch | 31 |
| Longest Reception | 38 yards |
Diggs made three contested catches and converted two third-down plays that kept New England drives alive. His touchdown reception in the third quarter gave the Patriots a lead they never surrendered until Allen temporarily tied it in the fourth.
Key Skill Players — Game 1 Stats
| Player | Team | Position | Stat Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhamondre Stevenson | NE | RB | 14 carries, 38 yards, 1 TD |
| Kayshon Boutte | NE | WR | 5 rec, 71 yards |
| DeMario Douglas | NE | WR | 4 rec, 48 yards |
| Khalil Shakir | BUF | WR | 6 rec, 78 yards |
| James Cook | BUF | RB | 18 carries, 101 yards |
| Dawson Knox | BUF | TE | 3 rec, 29 yards, 1 TD |
| Andrés Borregales | NE | K | 2/2 FG, 52-yard game-winner |
James Cook’s 101 rushing yards kept Buffalo competitive, but Borregales’ 52-yard game-winner as time expired was the stat everyone remembered from Game 1.
Game 2 Box Score: Bills 35 – Patriots 31 (Week 15, December 14, 2025)
The second meeting produced one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent rivalry history. The Patriots led 21-0 and appeared to be cruising, but the Bills staged a stunning second-half rally to win 35-31.
Buffalo trailed by 21 at one point and still won. It was the kind of resilience that reminded everyone why Josh Allen remains one of football’s most dangerous players when his back is against the wall.
Team Stats — Game 2
| Category | New England Patriots | Buffalo Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 31 | 35 |
| Total Yards | 386 | 368 |
| Passing Yards | 155 | 193 |
| Rushing Yards | 231 | 175 |
| First Downs | 21 | 24 |
| Time of Possession | 24:39 | 35:21 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Third Down Conversions | 5/12 | 7/11 |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 3/6 | 5/6 |
| Sacks | 2 | 1 |
| Penalties | 6-52 | 4-30 |
Buffalo’s red zone efficiency told the whole story. The Bills converted 5 of 6 red zone opportunities into touchdowns while New England made only 3 of 6. That 2-touchdown gap in the red zone swung the game entirely.
Time of possession was equally decisive. Buffalo held the ball for 35:21 compared to New England’s 24:39, controlling the clock in the second half when the outcome was decided.
Drake Maye — Game 2 Stats
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 14/22 |
| Passing Yards | 155 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Rushing Attempts | 4 |
| Rushing Yards | 43 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 2 |
| Total Points Responsible For | 21 (first half) |
Maye’s first-half dual-threat performance was extraordinary. He scrambled for touchdowns of 8 and 7 yards in the opening quarter, building a 14-0 lead entirely on his legs.
His 43 rushing yards on 4 carries showed the dimension that makes him so dangerous in short-yardage situations. However, a Tre’Davious White interception in the third quarter halted a drive that could have stretched the lead to 31-14.
Josh Allen — Game 2 Stats
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 20/29 |
| Passing Yards | 193 |
| Touchdowns | 3 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer Rating | 109.2 |
| Rushing Attempts | 10 |
| Rushing Yards | 51 |
| 4th Quarter Points Led | 14 unanswered |
Allen’s numbers don’t explode off the page, but his execution under pressure was elite. Down 21-0 in the second quarter, he connected with Dawson Knox twice for touchdowns in a 7:45 span that completely shifted momentum.
His 51 rushing yards added a critical dimension. Buffalo converted 7 of 11 third downs behind Allen’s improvisation and extended drives when the Patriots’ defense appeared ready to make stops.
TreVeyon Henderson — Game 2 Rushing Stats
TreVeyon Henderson rewrote the Patriots’ record book with a historic performance in the December matchup.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Rushing Attempts | 18 |
| Rushing Yards | 167 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Yards Per Carry | 9.3 |
| Longest Run | 65 yards |
Henderson’s 65-yard burst in the fourth quarter answered Dawson Knox’s go-ahead touchdown with stunning explosiveness, putting the Patriots back ahead 31-28. His 167 rushing yards was a franchise record for the Patriots in a single game in this rivalry.
The performance made the game’s final result all the more agonizing for New England fans. Henderson made history but still ended up on the losing side.
James Cook — Game 2 Rushing Stats
James Cook’s grinding second-half performance was the foundation of Buffalo’s comeback.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Rushing Attempts | 22 |
| Rushing Yards | 99 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Yards Per Carry | 4.5 |
| Career Rushing Yards (Milestone) | 4,000+ |
Cook’s 11-yard scoring run with 6:48 remaining restored Buffalo’s lead at 35-31 after Henderson’s record burst had threatened to take the game away. His 99 rushing yards pushed him past 4,000 career rushing yards, making him the sixth Bills running back to reach that milestone.
Dawson Knox — Game 2 Receiving Stats
Dawson Knox was the red zone weapon that broke the Patriots’ back in Game 2.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 5 |
| Targets | 6 |
| Receiving Yards | 54 |
| Touchdowns | 2 |
| Red Zone Targets | 4 |
| Red Zone TDs | 2 |
Knox’s two touchdown receptions in a span of 7:45 were the turning point of the entire game. The tight end found the seam in New England’s defense twice when the Bills needed big plays most desperately.
Key Skill Players — Game 2 Stats
| Player | Team | Position | Stat Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| TreVeyon Henderson | NE | RB | 18 car, 167 yards, 1 TD |
| Drake Maye | NE | QB | 2 rush TD, 43 rush yards |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | NE | RB | 8 car, 41 yards |
| James Cook | BUF | RB | 22 car, 99 yards, 1 TD |
| Dawson Knox | BUF | TE | 5 rec, 54 yards, 2 TD |
| Khalil Shakir | BUF | WR | 5 rec, 65 yards |
| Ray Davis | BUF | KR | 4 returns, 164 yards |
| Matt Milano | BUF | LB | 10 tackles, 2 sacks |
Ray Davis’ 58-yard kickoff return sparked Buffalo’s second-half comeback. Special teams momentum shifted the entire complexion of the game from that moment onward.
Drake Maye vs Josh Allen: Full 2025 Head-to-Head Comparison
The most compelling statistical comparison of the 2025 season series is the direct quarterback matchup. Maye and Allen each had moments of brilliance and moments of vulnerability over the two meetings.
| Stat Category | Drake Maye | Josh Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Record vs Opponent | 1-1 | 1-1 |
| Combined Passing Yards | 428 | 397 |
| Combined Touchdowns (Pass) | 3 | 5 |
| Combined Interceptions | 1 | 2 |
| Combined Rushing Yards | 86 | 113 |
| Combined Rushing TDs | 2 | 0 |
| Combined Passer Rating | 95.2 avg | 90.1 avg |
| Turnover-Worthy Plays | 1 | 4 |
| 4th Quarter Efficiency | 100% (G1) | Elite comebacks |
| Points Scored in Series | 54 | 55 |
Maye’s cleaner turnover record gives him the statistical edge in pure efficiency. Allen’s superior comeback ability and dual-threat rushing made him equally dangerous, but his four turnover-worthy plays across the two games were costly.
Both quarterbacks showed they are legitimate elite-tier starters. The rivalry between Maye and Allen could define the AFC East for the next decade.
Drake Maye: Full 2025 Regular Season Stats
Drake Maye completed his second NFL season as one of the most efficient quarterbacks in league history.
| Stat | 2025 Total | NFL Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | 4,394 | 4th |
| Touchdowns | 31 | 3rd |
| Interceptions | 8 | T-17th |
| Completion % | 72% | 1st |
| QBR | 77.1 | 1st |
| Games with 100+ Passer Rating | 13 | T-1st |
| Yards Per Attempt | 8.93 | 4th |
Maye finished with a 72% completion percentage, the highest in team history and the sixth-highest single-season mark in NFL history. He surpassed Tom Brady’s franchise record of 68.9%, set in 2007.
He became only the eighth quarterback ever to throw for 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns on 70% completion percentage or better. He and Jared Goff are the only two players ever to accomplish it on a 72% completion rate.
Josh Allen: Full 2025 Regular Season Stats
Josh Allen’s 2025 season saw his numbers dip from his historic 2024 MVP campaign, but he remained one of football’s most impactful dual-threat quarterbacks.
| Stat | 2025 Total | NFL Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | 3,668 | 11th |
| Touchdowns | 25 | T-9th |
| Interceptions | 10 | T-23rd |
| Completion % | 63.5% | Avg |
| QBR | 65.4 | 7th |
| Rushing Attempts | 112 | 1st among QBs |
| Passer Rating | 94.1 | — |
Allen signed a six-year, $330 million contract extension in March 2025, the largest guaranteed money ever given to an NFL player at the time of signing. That investment was validated by another 25-touchdown season and elite rushing production.
His 112 designed rushing attempts led all NFL quarterbacks, maintaining his status as the most dangerous running quarterback in football.
Defensive Standouts: Patriots vs Bills 2025
The defensive performances across both games were as impactful as anything the offenses produced.
Patriots Defense — 2025 Series Highlights
| Player | Position | Series Stat Line |
|---|---|---|
| Marcus Jones | CB/S | 10 tackles (G2) |
| Jack Gibbens | LB | 8 tackles, 1 sack (G2) |
| Harold Landry | EDGE | 1 sack (G2) |
| Tre’Davious White | CB | 1 interception (G2) |
| Jaylinn Hawkins | S | 10 tackles (G2) |
Tre’Davious White’s third-quarter interception was arguably the most pivotal single play in Game 2. New England led 24-14 and Maye was driving when White picked him off at Buffalo’s 9-yard line, halting the drive and swinging momentum.
The Patriots’ defense held Buffalo to 20 first-half points but could not replicate that performance in the second half when Allen found his rhythm.
Bills Defense — 2025 Series Highlights
| Player | Position | Series Stat Line |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Milano | LB | 10 tackles, 2 sacks (G2) |
| Nick Bosa | EDGE | 1 sack, 1 pass deflection (G2, game-sealing) |
| Tre’Davious White | CB | INT (later moved to NE) |
| Bills Secondary | CB/S | 3 Allen turnovers forced (G1) |
Matt Milano’s game-sealing pass deflection by Nick Bosa on fourth-and-five from the Patriots’ 22-yard line secured the Bills’ 35-31 win in Game 2. That one play prevented New England from reclaiming the lead with under two minutes to play.
All-Time Head-to-Head Record: Patriots vs Bills
The historical context of this rivalry gives the 2025 matchups deeper meaning.
| Stat | New England Patriots | Buffalo Bills |
|---|---|---|
| All-Time Wins | 80 | 52 |
| Ties | 1 | 1 |
| Regular Season Wins | 79 | 51 |
| Playoff Meetings | 2 | 2 |
| Playoff Record | 1-1 | 1-1 |
| All-Time Avg Points For | 21.5 | 18.08 |
| Longest Win Streak | 36 games | 34 games |
| Tom Brady Era Record | 32-3 | 3-32 |
| Josh Allen 2020s Record | 9-4 | 4-9 |
The Patriots lead the overall series 80-52-1, making it one of the most lopsided long-running rivalries in the AFC. However, the current era tells a very different story.
The Tom Brady era (2001-2019) saw New England win 32 of 35 meetings. The Josh Allen era (2020s) has flipped the balance, with Buffalo going 9-4 against New England through 2025.
Recent Results: Last 5 Meetings
| Date | Winner | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 14, 2025 | Bills | 35-31 | Gillette Stadium |
| Oct 5, 2025 | Patriots | 23-20 | Highmark Stadium |
| Dec 22, 2024 | Bills | 24-21 | Highmark Stadium |
| Jan 5, 2025 | Patriots | 23-16 | Gillette Stadium |
| 2023 (G1) | Bills | W | Buffalo |
In the last 5 games, Buffalo holds a 3-2 edge. The Bills have won on the road in both of their most recent visits to Gillette Stadium, a remarkable trend given New England’s historical home advantage.
Key Milestone Moments from the 2025 Series
Several individual records were broken or approached across the two 2025 regular season meetings.
TreVeyon Henderson’s 167 rushing yards in Game 2 set a Patriots record in this specific rivalry matchup. His 65-yard burst was the longest individual run in the rivalry since the early 2000s.
James Cook crossed 4,000 career rushing yards in Game 2, becoming only the sixth Bills running back in franchise history to reach that milestone. His 11-yard go-ahead touchdown with under seven minutes remaining proved to be the game-winner.
Drake Maye finished the 2025 season with 31 touchdowns and 4,394 passing yards, leading the Patriots to their first Super Bowl appearance since 2019. His two-game performance against Buffalo (428 yards combined, 3 TDs, 1 INT) contributed directly to New England’s AFC East championship.
The Brady Era vs The Allen-Maye Era: A Statistical Comparison
The transformation of this rivalry across two eras is one of football’s great statistical stories.
| Era | Patriots Record | Bills Record | Avg Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Brady Era (2001–2019) | 32-3 | 3-32 | NE +14.2 |
| Josh Allen Era (2020–2025) | 4-9 | 9-4 | BUF +4.1 |
| Post-Allen Draft (2022–2025) | 4-6 | 6-4 | BUF +3.2 |
| Drake Maye Era (2024–2025) | 3-2 | 2-3 | Split |
The shift is dramatic. New England won 91% of games in the Brady era. Buffalo now wins 69% of games in the Allen era. The arrival of Drake Maye has started to narrow that gap once again.
If Maye continues his 2025 trajectory, a third era of Patriots dominance may be emerging. The 2025 series split was the first time either team split two meetings in back-to-back seasons since 2020.
2026 Preview: What the Stats Tell Us
Looking at the numbers from 2025, both franchises enter 2026 with clear strengths and question marks.
The Patriots go in with the most efficient quarterback in the NFL by completion percentage, a top-five defense, and a deep skill position group. New England’s 2025 Super Bowl run, while ending in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks, proved the team is built to compete consistently.
The Bills enter 2026 with Josh Allen under a fresh $330 million contract, James Cook as a proven workhorse back, and a pass rush that produces sacks in bunches. Buffalo’s 12-5 record in 2025 confirmed the Bills are still AFC title contenders.
The AFC East division race in 2026 will likely be decided by these two teams again. Both coaches understand that the head-to-head matchups carry outsized importance in division standings.
Team Season Stats Comparison: 2025 Regular Season
| Category | New England Patriots | Buffalo Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 14-3 | 12-5 |
| Points Per Game | 28.4 | 25.1 |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 20.2 | 22.7 |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 132.8 | 118.5 |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 268.4 | 235.6 |
| Total Yards Per Game | 401.2 | 354.1 |
| Turnovers Lost | 14 | 18 |
| Sacks | 46 | 38 |
| Third Down % | 44.2% | 40.6% |
| Red Zone TD % | 64.7% | 58.3% |
The Patriots finished with the better record and the superior point differential, but Buffalo’s performance when the teams met directly told a different story. The Bills outplayed New England in one of the two regular season meetings and proved they belong in the same tier.
Memorable Moments in the Bills-Patriots All-Time Rivalry
The 36-Game Streak: Under Tom Brady, the Patriots won 36 straight against the Bills between 2003 and 2019, the longest single-rival winning streak in modern NFL history.
The Super Wild Card Domination (January 2022): Buffalo beat New England 47-17 in the wildcard round, scoring touchdowns on all seven non-kneel possessions. It was the first “perfect offensive game” in NFL playoff history.
O.J. Simpson’s Record-Setting Day (1973): Simpson ran for 250 yards against New England in this rivalry, breaking the all-time single-game professional football rushing record in a 31-13 Bills win.
Borregales’ Walk-Off (2025 Game 1): Andrés Borregales hit a 52-yard field goal as time expired to give the Patriots a 23-20 win on Sunday Night Football at Highmark Stadium. It was one of the iconic field goal kicks of the 2025 season.
Henderson’s 65-Yard Burst (2025 Game 2): TreVeyon Henderson’s explosive fourth-quarter run appeared to secure a Patriots win before James Cook’s go-ahead score 14 seconds later broke New England hearts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What were the New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills match player stats in 2025?
The 2025 series split 1-1, with Drake Maye (428 combined passing yards, 3 TDs) and Josh Allen (397 combined passing yards, 5 TDs) both delivering standout individual performances across the two meetings.
Who won the Patriots vs Bills Game 1 in 2025?
The Patriots won 23-20 on October 5 at Highmark Stadium on a walk-off 52-yard field goal by Andrés Borregales with 15 seconds left after Josh Allen threw three turnovers.
Who won the Bills vs Patriots Game 2 in 2025?
Buffalo won 35-31 on December 14 at Gillette Stadium, erasing a 21-0 deficit in one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent rivalry history behind Josh Allen and James Cook.
What were Drake Maye’s stats vs the Bills in 2025?
Maye completed 36 of 52 passes for 428 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception across the two games, while adding 86 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns combined.
What were Josh Allen’s stats vs the Patriots in 2025?
Allen completed 38 of 58 passes for 397 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions over both games, also rushing 19 times for 113 yards combined in the 2025 series.
What is the all-time head-to-head record between the Patriots and Bills?
The Patriots lead the all-time series 80-52-1, including a 1-1 tie in two playoff meetings, with New England averaging 21.5 points per game versus Buffalo’s 18.08 historically.
Who is the all-time leading rusher in Patriots vs Bills history?
O.J. Simpson holds the single-game rushing record in this rivalry with 250 yards on September 16, 1973, which at the time was the all-time professional football single-game record.
What was TreVeyon Henderson’s stat line against the Bills in December 2025?
Henderson carried 18 times for 167 rushing yards and a touchdown, including a record-breaking 65-yard burst in the fourth quarter, setting a Patriots single-game record in the rivalry.
How did James Cook perform for Buffalo against the Patriots in 2025?
Cook rushed 22 times for 99 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown with 6:48 remaining in Game 2, also crossing 4,000 career rushing yards in the same performance.
What is Drake Maye’s record as a starter against the Buffalo Bills?
Drake Maye is 1-1 as a starter against the Bills through the 2025 season, with the Patriots winning in Buffalo on Sunday Night Football and losing the December rematch at home.
Conclusion
New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills match player stats in 2025 captured the very essence of what makes this AFC East rivalry worth watching every single week.
Drake Maye proved he belongs among the NFL’s elite with a Sunday Night Football masterpiece in Buffalo, while Josh Allen reminded everyone why he’s the league’s most dangerous comeback artist in the December reversal at Gillette Stadium.
The numbers across both games, from Henderson’s franchise-record 167 rushing yards to Cook’s milestone-crossing 99-yard game to Allen’s clutch 3-touchdown performance under a 21-point deficit, paint the picture of a rivalry that produces historic individual moments every time these teams meet.
With both quarterbacks locked in long-term, with the AFC East title riding on their head-to-head results, and with the 2026 schedule set to bring them together twice again, the Patriots vs Bills rivalry enters its most compelling chapter since the Tom Brady era ended. The stats say it all.
