The rivalry between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills remains one of the most significant divisional matchups in the NFL. Recent meetings have featured elite quarterback play, explosive rushing performances, and major AFC East implications.
This analysis focuses on verified statistics from the most recent Patriots-Bills matchup and the broader historical and statistical context surrounding the rivalry. All statistics cited below come from official game books, NFL statistical records, and recognized football databases.
Key Statistics
Buffalo Bills 35, New England Patriots 31 (Week 15, 2025)
| Team Statistic | Buffalo Bills | New England Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 35 | 31 |
| Total Yards | 349 | 385 |
| Passing Yards | 181 | 139 |
| Rushing Yards | 168 | 246 |
| Yards Per Play | 5.2 | 7.5 |
| Total Plays | 67 | 51 |
| Time of Possession | 35:21 | 24:39 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| First-Half Points | 7 | 24 |
| Second-Half Points | 28 | 7 |
The Bills erased a 24-7 halftime deficit and outscored New England 28-7 in the second half to secure the victory.
Top Individual Performers
| Player | Team | Stat Line |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Allen | Bills | 19/28, 193 pass yards, 3 TD, 0 INT, 48 rush yards |
| James Cook | Bills | 22 carries, 107 yards, 2 rush TD; 1 receiving TD |
| Dawson Knox | Bills | 2 receiving TD |
| Drake Maye | Patriots | 14/23, 155 pass yards, 1 INT, 2 rushing TD |
| TreVeyon Henderson | Patriots | 14 carries, 148 rushing yards, 2 TD |
Career Overview
The Patriots-Bills rivalry dates back to the AFL era and has become one of the NFL’s longest-running divisional rivalries.
For two decades, New England largely controlled the AFC East during the eras of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Since 2020, Buffalo has emerged as the dominant franchise behind quarterback Josh Allen and head coach Sean McDermott.
Key characteristics of the rivalry include:
- Frequent AFC East title implications
- Multiple playoff races affected by head-to-head outcomes
- Elite quarterback performances
- Physical rushing attacks
- Strong defensive traditions
The rivalry has entered a new phase with quarterback Drake Maye leading New England and Allen continuing to lead Buffalo.
Career Statistics
Josh Allen vs New England Patriots
Verified all-time record with Buffalo against New England:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Record vs Patriots | 8-7 |
| Seasons Active vs Patriots | 2018-Present |
| Division Matchups | AFC East |
| Winning Percentage | .533 |
Josh Allen Career NFL Statistics
| Category | Career Total* |
|---|---|
| Passing Yards | 25,000+ |
| Passing TD | 200+ |
| Rushing Yards | 4,000+ |
| Rushing TD | 60+ |
| Pro Bowls | Multiple |
| Playoff Appearances | Multiple |
*Exact career totals fluctuate weekly and should be verified through official NFL statistical releases.
Drake Maye Career Statistics
| Category | Value (Verified Data Available) |
|---|---|
| Position | Quarterback |
| Team | Patriots |
| NFL Seasons | Active |
| Passing TD | Active Career Statistics Continuing |
| Passing Yards | Active Career Statistics Continuing |
Complete career totals could not be independently verified from official season-end records at the time of writing.
Season-by-Season Stats
Bills vs Patriots Recent Meetings
| Season | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Bills | 35-31 |
| 2025 (Earlier Meeting) | Patriots | 23-20 |
| 2024 | Data requires official verification | |
| 2023 | Data requires official verification | |
| 2022 | Data requires official verification |
The Patriots entered the December 2025 meeting riding a 10-game winning streak and holding first place in the AFC East before Buffalo’s comeback victory.
2025 Season Quarterback Comparison Before Matchup
| Statistic | Josh Allen | Drake Maye |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | 3,083 | 3,412 |
| Passing TD | 22 | 23 |
| Interceptions | 10 | 6 |
| Completion Percentage | 70.1% | 71.5% |
| Passer Rating | 102.9 | 111.9 |
| Rushing Yards | 487 | 319 |
| Rushing TD | 12 | 2 |
Records
Buffalo Bills Records in Rivalry
- Multiple AFC East titles during the Josh Allen era.
- Consecutive playoff appearances.
- Several 30-point games against New England since 2020.
- Allen has become one of Buffalo’s most successful quarterbacks against divisional opponents.
New England Patriots Records in Rivalry
- Dominated AFC East matchups throughout the Brady era.
- Multiple season sweeps against Buffalo from 2001–2019.
- Highest sustained winning percentage in rivalry history during the Belichick-Brady period.
Notable 2025 Milestones
| Player | Achievement |
|---|---|
| James Cook | Passed Wray Carlton for sixth on Buffalo’s all-time rushing touchdown list |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | Passed Don Calhoun on Patriots all-time rushing list |
| TreVeyon Henderson | Set career high with 148 rushing yards |
Awards and Honors
Josh Allen
| Honor | Status |
|---|---|
| Pro Bowl Selections | Multiple |
| MVP Voting Finishes | Multiple Top Finishes |
| AFC Offensive Player Awards | Multiple |
| Franchise Passing Records | Multiple |
James Cook
| Honor | Status |
|---|---|
| Pro Bowl Recognition | Earned |
| 1,000-Yard Rushing Seasons | Achieved |
Patriots Franchise Honors
| Achievement | Value |
|---|---|
| Super Bowl Championships | 6 |
| AFC Championships | 11 |
| Hall of Fame Players Produced | Numerous |
Performance Trends
Buffalo Bills Trends
Recent patterns include:
| Category | Trend |
|---|---|
| Offensive Efficiency | Consistently Above NFL Average |
| Rushing Production | Increasing |
| Red-Zone Success | Strong |
| Second-Half Scoring | Excellent |
Against New England in Week 15, Buffalo scored 28 second-half points after scoring only seven in the first half.
Josh Allen Trend Analysis
- Continues producing dual-threat statistics.
- Maintains elite touchdown production.
- Remains one of the NFL’s most effective red-zone quarterbacks.
- Frequently contributes significant rushing value.
Patriots Trends
| Category | Trend |
|---|---|
| Offensive Development | Improving |
| Young Quarterback Growth | Positive |
| Explosive Running Plays | Increasing |
| Defensive Consistency | Variable |
TreVeyon Henderson’s explosive rushing ability has become a major component of New England’s offense. His 52-yard and 65-yard touchdowns against Buffalo demonstrated elite breakaway speed.
Historical Context
The Patriots-Bills rivalry can be divided into three major eras:
AFL and Early NFL Era
- Competitive divisional rivalry.
- Frequent playoff implications.
Patriots Dynasty Era (2001–2019)
- New England controlled the AFC East.
- Brady-led teams consistently defeated Buffalo.
- Patriots became the dominant franchise in football.
Modern Bills Era (2020–Present)
- Buffalo emerged as AFC East favorite.
- Allen transformed the franchise.
- Rivalry became significantly more balanced.
Compared with historical AFC East rivalries:
| Rivalry | Historical Significance |
|---|---|
| Patriots vs Bills | Extremely High |
| Patriots vs Jets | High |
| Bills vs Dolphins | High |
| Dolphins vs Patriots | High |
The Allen era has produced the most competitive Patriots-Bills stretch since the 1990s.
Head-to-Head Statistics
All-Time Team Comparison
| Category | Patriots | Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1960 | 1960 |
| Super Bowls | 6 | 0 |
| AFC Championships | 11 | 4 |
| Hall of Fame Players | Numerous | Numerous |
Recent Matchup Leaders
Passing
| Player | Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Allen | 193 | 3 | 0 |
| Drake Maye | 155 | 0 | 1 |
Rushing
| Player | Attempts | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|
| TreVeyon Henderson | 14 | 148 | 2 |
| James Cook | 22 | 107 | 2 |
| Josh Allen | 11 | 48 | 0 |
Scoring
| Player | Total TD |
|---|---|
| James Cook | 3 |
| Dawson Knox | 2 |
| TreVeyon Henderson | 2 |
| Drake Maye | 2 |
Recent Form
Buffalo Bills
Recent indicators:
- Maintained AFC East title contention.
- Continued elite offensive production.
- Strong rushing attack led by James Cook.
- Josh Allen remained among NFL touchdown leaders.
The Week 15 comeback represented one of Buffalo’s biggest wins of the season.
New England Patriots
Recent indicators:
- Entered the matchup on a 10-game winning streak.
- Led AFC East standings.
- Drake Maye continued rapid development.
- Running game emerged as offensive strength.
The loss ended New England’s longest winning streak of the season.
Statistical Highlights
Buffalo Bills
- 35 points scored after trailing by 21.
- Josh Allen: 3 passing touchdowns.
- James Cook: 107 rushing yards and 3 total touchdowns.
- 168 team rushing yards.
- Zero turnovers.
New England Patriots
- 246 rushing yards.
- TreVeyon Henderson: 148 rushing yards.
- Two rushing touchdowns by Drake Maye.
- Averaged 7.5 yards per play.
- Built a 24-7 halftime lead.
Game Highlights
Frequently Asked Questions
Who had the most rushing yards in the latest Patriots vs Bills game?
TreVeyon Henderson led all rushers with 148 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns.
How many touchdown passes did Josh Allen throw?
Allen threw three touchdown passes while completing 19 of 28 attempts.
What was the final score of the most recent Patriots vs Bills matchup?
Buffalo defeated New England 35-31.
Did Drake Maye throw a touchdown pass?
No. Maye finished with 155 passing yards, no passing touchdowns, one interception, and two rushing touchdowns.
How large was Buffalo’s comeback?
The Bills erased a 21-point deficit and overcame a 24-7 halftime deficit to win 35-31.
What is Josh Allen’s record against the Patriots?
Allen’s Bills teams own an 8-7 record against New England.
Sources and References
Statistics and records in this article were verified using:
- National Football League official game books and statistical releases
- NFL Official Website
- Pro Football Reference
- ESPN NFL Statistics Center
- StatMuse NFL Database
- The Football Database
Verified game data, box scores, scoring summaries, player statistics, and historical matchup information were cross-referenced from those sources. Any statistics that could not be independently verified were explicitly identified as unavailable rather than estimated.
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