Patriots rally late to defeat Bills and stay within one game in AFC East

New England overcame a 5-point deficit in the final minutes of Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, with quarterback Drake Maye completing a 23-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Efton Chism. Maye finished with 269 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception, and later threw a short pass to tight end Hunter Henry to run out the clock.

The victory prevented the Patriots from falling three games behind the Bills in the AFC East and marked a turnaround after a recent loss in Jacksonville. Coach Mike Vrabel’s challenge earlier in the game was upheld, and New England’s defense limited Buffalo to 340 total yards while forcing two turnovers despite missing cornerback Christian Gonzalez and defensive lineman Christian Barmore.

Maye’s performance showed improvement over the previous three weeks; he scrambled eight times for 54 yards and reduced critical errors, although he completed only 59 percent of his passes and recorded a fumble. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs contributed six catches for 58 yards, including two fourth-down receptions that extended scoring drives and his first two touchdowns as a Patriot.

The Patriots also opened the game with a 97-yard touchdown drive and converted key fourth-down situations in the first half. A defensive play on Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid limited him to a single catch for seven yards, and the unit contained running back James Cook for most of the contest.

The win keeps New England within a game of the division-leading Bills and gives the young quarterback a confidence boost heading into the next week’s matchup.