Maye returns to form, Patriots silence Bills Mafia

Drake Maye had a stellar performance to help New England over the line in Buffalo.

Leroy Hinds October 4, 2026·3 min read

The New England Patriots travelled to Buffalo looking to respond after a dismal 35-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars the previous week. At 1-2, Mike Vrabel’s side had struggled to generate consistent offense, with Drake Maye entering the matchup under enormous pressure after a difficult opening three games.

The Bills, meanwhile, had opened the season 3-0 and looked every bit a Super Bowl contender. Josh Allen had led Buffalo to three straight victories, while the offense had averaged 33.7 points per game. With the Patriots facing a daunting trip to Highmark Stadium, Buffalo entered as heavy favourites in the newest edition of the AFC East encounter.

Maye and the Patriots got off to a much-needed dream start, making all the right plays offensively en route to the opening touchdown, which saw him find Romeo Doubs for a 14-yard catch in the end zone.

But the Bills’ offense responded in the only way they have known how thus far this season, romping down the field again before James Cook III made his way in for the game-tying touchdown. Fans of the 2 sides already looked to be in for a treat with a potential shootout looming.

Buffalo then appeared to have seized control as Allen rushed for yet another short-yardage touchdown in the second quarter. Although New England continued to respond, with Rhamondre Stevenson finding the end zone from 1-yard out.

With the game tied at 14-14, Buffalo added a field goal just before halftime to take a 17-14 lead into the break.

The Patriots refused to let the deficit grow after halftime, and Maye found Doubs for his second touchdown of the afternoon early in the third quarter. New England’s defence also began to frustrate Allen, who struggled to find the same rhythm that had helped Buffalo remain unbeaten through the opening three weeks.

The game remained finely poised heading into the final quarter, with Tyler Bass eventually giving Buffalo a 20-21 lead with a 38-yard field goal.

Allen connected with Keon Coleman for a 34-yard touchdown inside 5 minutes remaining, putting Buffalo ahead 26-21 and seemingly placing the Bills in control. With the home crowd expecting the unbeaten Bills to close out another victory, Maye had other ideas.

The second-year quarterback calmly led New England down the field, finding Efton Chism III in the end zone for a spectacular 23-yard touchdown with just 2 minutes remaining.

The Patriots went for 2. Maye found Stevenson in the end zone, giving New England a 29-26 advantage with just 110 seconds left on the clock.

Buffalo had plenty of time for one final opportunity, as Allen moved the Bills into Patriots territory, but Craig Woodson produced the defining play of the afternoon, intercepting the Buffalo quarterback at the New England 19-yard line with just over a minute remaining.

The Patriots were then able to run out the clock, completing a remarkable comeback as heavy underdogs coming into the afternoon, handing Buffalo its first defeat of the season.

Maye finished with 269 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, while Doubs produced six catches for 58 yards and a pair of scores. On the other side, Allen threw for 253 yards and a touchdown, while Coleman led Buffalo’s receiving room with 115 yards and a touchdown.

For the Patriots, the victory could prove to be a major turning point. After a disappointing Week 3 performance, New England showed composure on the road against one of the AFC’s strongest teams. The Bills appeared to have done enough after taking a five-point lead inside the final five minutes, but their inability to stop Maye’s final drive ultimately cost them.

The Patriots leave Orchard Park at 2-2 with renewed confidence, while the Bills fall to 3-1. More importantly, New England has shown that it may be capable of competing with the AFC’s best after all.