The Buffalo Bills suffered their first loss of the season Sunday, falling 29-26 to the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. Buffalo dropped to 3-1 with the loss, while New England improved to 2-2.
Buffalo appeared to take control late when Josh Allen guided an 80-yard touchdown drive in five plays, capped by Keon Coleman’s 34-yard touchdown reception with 4:27 remaining. Coleman came up big throughout the afternoon, finishing with six catches for 116 yards and a touchdown.
The Patriots quickly answered.
Drake Maye delivered when New England needed him most. With 1:50 remaining, Maye connected with Efton Chism III on a 23-yard touchdown, with Chism making a diving one-handed catch near the end zone. Maye then found Rhamondre Stevenson on the ensuing two-point conversion to give New England a 29-26 advantage.
Buffalo had an opportunity to respond, but Allen’s final possession ended in a costly mistake. After escaping pressure from Dre’Mont Jones, Allen launched a deep pass toward Josh Palmer that was intercepted by Craig Woodson at the New England 19-yard line with 1:14 remaining.
The Bills defense still had a chance to force a punt and give Allen another opportunity.
Instead, Maye kept the drive alive on third-and-10 from the Patriots’ 19, rolling right on play action before finding Hunter Henry for a 12-yard gain. The conversion allowed New England to drain the remaining clock.
Maye completed 22-of-37 passes for 269 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Allen finished 23-of-33 for 253 yards, one touchdown and one interception while adding a 2-yard rushing touchdown that gave him Buffalo’s franchise record for touchdowns from scrimmage.
GAME RECAP LINKS
- Patriots 29, Bills 26 | Final Score, recap + highlights (buffalobills.com)
- Bills lose lead, Josh Allen throws late INT. Bills vs. Patriots score, highlights, stats (democrat&chronicle.com)
- Bills Biggest Takeaways From Gut-Punch Week 4 Loss to Patriots (si.com)
- Bills drop divisional showdown after Hairston’s nightmare performance and Josh Allen’s late INT (syracuse.com)
- Josh Allen sets Buffalo Bills franchise touchdown record (buffalorumblings.com)
MEDIA
Those are the type of losses that doom the Bills every year.
— Mike Bundt (@Mike_Bundt) October 4, 2026
Cost them in terms of the division last year and one seed many other times.
It’s always a similar recipe. They start hot and lose a game or two in October.
Their defense can’t hold onto leads after their offense…
"The defense for me for Buffalo … I really do have questions."@jsimms1119 after Bills loss to Patriots.#scoreboard pic.twitter.com/WAK67EBG9u
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 4, 2026
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.