The Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots have one of the most familiar rivalries in the AFC East. Fans searching for Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots match player stats usually want more than the final score. They want to know which quarterback played better, who led the rushing attack, which receivers made the biggest catches, and which players had the strongest impact on the result. As of September 28, 2026, the two teams have not yet played each other during the 2026 regular season.
Their latest completed meeting took place on December 14, 2025, at Gillette Stadium. Buffalo won the game 35-31 after New England built a strong lead in the first half. The next meeting is scheduled for October 4, 2026, in Buffalo, with another matchup planned for December 6. This guide looks at the latest completed box score, the most important player performances, and the early 2026 form of both teams before their next meeting.
Latest Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats
Buffalo defeated New England 35-31 in their December 14, 2025 meeting. The Patriots were in control early and went into halftime with a 24-7 lead. Buffalo responded with 28 points in the second half and completed a strong comeback. Josh Allen completed 19 of 28 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception. He also carried the ball 11 times for 48 yards. James Cook rushed 22 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a five-yard touchdown pass, giving him three total touchdowns in the game.
New England actually finished with more total offense despite losing the game. The Patriots recorded 385 net yards, compared with Buffalo’s 349. New England also rushed for 246 yards, helped by a big performance from TreVeyon Henderson. Buffalo still controlled possession for 35 minutes and 21 seconds and made better use of its scoring chances. The Bills went 5-for-6 in the red zone and did not turn the ball over. New England went 2-for-3 in the red zone but gave away one interception.
Buffalo Bills Player Stats and Key Performances
Josh Allen did not need a huge passing total to make a major impact. His 193 passing yards were lower than some of his usual numbers, but he threw three touchdown passes and avoided interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of 123.1. Allen connected with Dawson Knox for two touchdowns and found James Cook for another. He also added 48 rushing yards, including a 20-yard run. His ability to move the ball with both his arm and legs helped Buffalo keep drives alive.
James Cook was one of Buffalo’s most important players in the comeback. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry on 22 rushing attempts and scored two touchdowns on the ground. Khalil Shakir led Buffalo in receiving with five catches for 65 yards. Dawson Knox caught three passes for 37 yards and scored twice, while Dalton Kincaid added three catches for 34 yards. Buffalo shared the ball among several players, which made it harder for the Patriots to focus on one main receiving threat.
New England Patriots Player Stats and Key Performances
Drake Maye completed 14 of 23 passes for 155 yards. He did not throw a touchdown and was intercepted once, finishing with a passer rating of 62.8. However, Maye still caused problems for Buffalo with his rushing ability. He carried the ball four times for 43 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns. Those scores played a major part in New England’s early lead. Buffalo later increased the pressure and sacked Maye three times, which made some of New England’s second-half drives harder to finish.
TreVeyon Henderson was the biggest attacking threat for New England. He rushed 14 times for 148 yards and scored two touchdowns. His longest run covered 65 yards, and he averaged more than 10 yards per carry. Rhamondre Stevenson added 50 yards on six rushing attempts and also caught three passes for 27 yards. Mack Hollins led the Patriots in receiving with 41 yards on four catches. Stefon Diggs finished with three catches for 26 yards, while Kayshon Boutte added a 30-yard reception.
How the 35-31 Game Changed After Halftime
New England controlled most of the first half through a strong running game and efficient scoring drives. Drake Maye scored twice on the ground, while TreVeyon Henderson broke free for a 52-yard touchdown run. The Patriots also added a field goal before halftime to build a 24-7 advantage. Buffalo’s only touchdown of the first half came when Josh Allen found James Cook for a five-yard score. At that stage, the Patriots looked comfortable because their running game was working well.
The game changed quickly after halftime. Allen found Dawson Knox for a touchdown early in the third quarter, and Cook later scored on a three-yard run. Knox caught another touchdown in the fourth quarter to give Buffalo its first lead. Henderson then answered with a 65-yard touchdown run, putting New England back in front at 31-28. Buffalo responded again when Cook scored from 11 yards with 6:48 remaining. The Bills’ defense then stopped New England from scoring again and completed the comeback.
What the First 2025 Meeting Adds to the Story
The Bills and Patriots split their two regular-season meetings in 2025. New England won the first matchup 23-20 in Buffalo on October 5. Drake Maye completed 22 of 30 passes for 273 yards without throwing a touchdown or interception. Stefon Diggs produced one of his strongest performances of the season against Buffalo, catching 10 passes for 146 yards. Rhamondre Stevenson scored both New England touchdowns on the ground, while Andres Borregales kicked the winning 52-yard field goal with only 15 seconds remaining.
Buffalo finished that game with more total yards, but turnovers and late-game execution made the difference. Josh Allen completed 22 of 31 passes for 253 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also rushed for 53 yards. James Cook had a quieter game than he did in the December rematch, finishing with 49 yards on 15 carries. Comparing both meetings shows how much one matchup can change. Rushing success, turnovers, and red-zone performance can produce very different results even when the same teams meet twice in one season.
2026 Form Before the Next Bills-Patriots Game
Buffalo enters Week 4 of the 2026 season with a 3-0 record after beating the Los Angeles Chargers 24-16. The Bills also recorded wins over Houston and Detroit earlier in the season. Josh Allen has completed 56 of 86 passes for 786 yards through three games. He has five passing touchdowns and two interceptions. Allen has also rushed for 114 yards and six touchdowns. James Cook has carried the ball 58 times for 346 yards and two rushing touchdowns. His 154-yard performance against the Chargers was his biggest rushing game of the first three weeks.
New England enters the next meeting with a 1-2 record after losing 35-6 to Jacksonville. The Patriots opened the season with a defeat against Seattle before beating Pittsburgh in Week 2. Drake Maye has completed 51 of 80 passes for 585 yards through three games. He has one passing touchdown and six interceptions, along with 82 rushing yards. The next Bills-Patriots game is scheduled for October 4, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET in Buffalo. Since the game has not yet been played, there are no official player stats for that matchup.
How to Read the Player Stats Without Getting Misled
A box score shows what happened in one game, but it does not always show a player’s normal level of performance. Passing yards tell you how much yardage a quarterback gained through completed passes. Rushing yards show what a player gained on running plays, while receiving yards measure the yardage gained after catches. Touchdowns are easy to understand, but efficiency is also important. A quarterback can finish with fewer passing yards and still have a strong game if he avoids turnovers and helps the offense finish drives.
Team statistics can also help explain individual numbers. New England gained more total yards than Buffalo in the December 2025 game, but the Bills still won. Buffalo performed better in the red zone, avoided turnovers, and controlled possession for longer. This shows why one large number does not always explain the final score. For a clearer picture, it helps to compare passing, rushing, turnovers, third-down conversions, red-zone performance, and scoring plays together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which defense made the game’s only interception?
Buffalo recorded the only interception of the game. Tre’Davious White intercepted Drake Maye and finished with no return yards. Josh Allen did not throw an interception for the Bills.
How did penalties compare between the two teams?
Buffalo was called for two penalties that cost 15 yards. New England had seven penalties for 65 yards. The lower penalty total helped Buffalo avoid giving away field position.
Who had the biggest kickoff-return numbers?
Ray Davis handled four kickoff returns for Buffalo and gained 164 yards. He averaged 41 yards per return, and his longest return went for 58 yards.
How did the teams perform on third down?
Buffalo converted eight of 14 third-down attempts, giving the Bills a 57.1 percent success rate. New England converted five of 10 third downs, so both teams were able to extend several drives.
How many first downs did each team record?
Buffalo finished with 22 first downs, while New England recorded 19. The Bills gained nine first downs through rushing plays and 11 through passing, with two more coming from penalties.
What did the kickers add to the score?
Matt Prater made all five extra-point attempts for Buffalo and did not attempt a field goal. Andres Borregales made four extra points for New England and also converted a 36-yard field goal.
Final Thoughts
The latest Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots match player stats show why total yardage does not always decide an NFL game. Buffalo stayed composed after falling behind in the first half and made better use of its scoring chances. The Bills also protected the ball and received important contributions from several players. New England produced several explosive rushing plays, but the Patriots could not protect their lead in the second half.
The 2025 box score gives useful background before the teams meet again in 2026, but it should not be treated as a prediction. Each new game can produce different results based on player form, injuries, turnovers, and game plans. After the next meeting, the official game book will provide the final passing, rushing, receiving, and defensive numbers. Checking those confirmed stats is the best way to compare both teams accurately.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information and was written with AI assistance. NFL schedules, player status, and statistics can change or receive later corrections. The article may not cover every situation, so readers should check official NFL or other trusted sources for important and current details.