Bills warm up, lead Patriots in 3rd quarter

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills entered Sunday's game with so much momentum.

Buffalo won eight of its past nine games and scored at least 30 points in each of its last eight games. But the Bills' offense started slow against the New England Patriots. In fact, the Patriots quieted the Highmark Stadium crowd by scoring two touchdowns and racing out to a 14-0 lead.



The first score came less than three minutes in, on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Drake Maye to wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. The second score was a 14-yard carry by running back Rhamondre Stevenson just 44 seconds into the second quarter. The Bills' offense got going on the ensuing drive, with James Cook scoring on a 46-yard touchdown run to close the deficit to 14-7 with 11 minutes, 56 seconds to play before halftime.

Cook's second touchdown, on a 4-yard pass from Josh Allen, helped the Bills knot the score at 14 with 9:41 to play in the third quarter. The Patriots fumbled on the next drive, and after six plays gained 10 yards, the Bills converted that turnover into a 50-yard Tyler Bass field goal. Suddenly, Buffalo led 17-14.

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