Patriots Stun Bills 23-20, Ending Last Undefeated NFL Record

In a dramatic Sunday night showdown at Highmark Stadium, the New England Patriots defeated the Buffalo Bills 23-20, stripping the NFL of its last remaining undefeated team just five weeks into the season. The decisive blow came from rookie kicker Andy Borregales, who drilled a 52-yard field goal with only 15 seconds left on the clock. The game-winning kick was the culmination of a poised 37-yard drive engineered by second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who delivered a statement performance against his AFC East rival in Orchard Park, New York.

skysports.com reported, The victory not only marked a significant moment for the Patriots, moving them to a 3-2 record, but also snapped the Bills' formidable 14-game regular-season home winning streak.

The contest was a hard-fought battle, with both teams trading blows and the lead changing hands. New England entered halftime with a narrow 6-3 advantage before the offenses came alive in the second half. Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson found the end zone for two crucial rushing touchdowns, his first of the season, which at one point gave New England a 20-10 lead in the fourth quarter.

westwoodonesports.com noted, However, the Bills, led by quarterback Josh Allen, mounted a comeback. Allen connected with his receivers for two touchdowns and guided the team to a game-tying field goal late in the fourth quarter, setting the stage for the tense final minutes. Despite the Bills' rally, it was Maye's composure under pressure and a clutch defensive performance that ultimately sealed the win for New England.

The Patriots' defense forced three turnovers, a key factor in overcoming the high-powered Buffalo offense.

patriots.com reported, The game was filled with standout individual performances, most notably from Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs, who had a triumphant return to Buffalo. Playing against his former team, Diggs recorded 10 receptions for a season-high 146 yards, consistently making critical plays to sustain drives. For the Bills, turnovers proved costly. Allen threw an interception and lost a fumble, and a crucial fumble by receiver Keon Coleman also shifted momentum.

The loss dropped the Bills to a 4-1 record and tightened the AFC East race. With Buffalo's defeat, alongside the Philadelphia Eagles' loss to the Denver Broncos earlier in the day, the 2025 season marks the first time since 2014 that no NFL team has started with a perfect 5-0 record.

• The Final Drive: With the game tied 20-20, Drake Maye led the Patriots on a seven-play, 37-yard drive to position the team for the win. A pivotal moment on the drive was a play where Maye, while being dragged down by a defender, completed a 12-yard pass to Stefon Diggs to move the chains.
• This set up rookie kicker Andy Borregales, who calmly converted the 52-yard field goal, his third of the game, to secure the victory with 15 seconds remaining.
• Drake Maye's Breakout Performance: Facing a Buffalo defense that ranked first in the league against the pass, second-year quarterback Drake Maye delivered a masterful performance. He completed 22 of 30 passes for 273 yards, demonstrating poise and accuracy, especially in the second half where he was nearly perfect, going 14-of-15 for 188 yards.
• This prime-time game was seen as a national showcase for Maye, who out-dueled the reigning MVP, Josh Allen, in a hostile environment.
• Stefon Diggs' Revenge Game: In his first game back at Highmark Stadium since being traded, Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs was a dominant force. He amassed a season-high 146 yards on 10 catches, providing a reliable and explosive target for Maye throughout the night.
• His performance was instrumental in several scoring drives, including a 32-yard reception that set up a Rhamondre Stevenson touchdown.
• Bills' Self-Inflicted Wounds: The Buffalo Bills' first loss of the season was marred by costly mistakes. The team committed three total turnovers, including an interception and a lost fumble by quarterback Josh Allen. Buffalo was also penalized 11 times for 90 yards.
• One of the most damaging turnovers occurred late in the third quarter when Allen threw an interception in the red zone as the Bills were driving to take the lead. Coach Sean McDermott noted after the game, "It wasn't anything they did," attributing the loss to his team's errors.
• AFC East Implications: The Patriots' victory brings their record to 3-2 and significantly tightens the race in the AFC East. What could have been a three-game divisional lead for the Bills is now just a one-game advantage.
• This win marks the Patriots' first at Buffalo since 2021 and gives them a winning record through five games for the first time since 2019.
• Rookie Kicker's Heroics: Andy Borregales, a sixth-round draft pick, was perfect on the night, making all three of his field-goal attempts from 30, 19, and the game-winning 52 yards.
• The 52-yarder was his second successful kick from beyond 50 yards this season, showcasing his reliability under pressure after some inconsistencies earlier in the year.
• End of an Era for Undefeated Teams: Both the Buffalo Bills and the Philadelphia Eagles entered Week 5 with perfect 4-0 records. Both teams lost at home on Sunday, marking the first time since the 2014 season that no team in the NFL has started 5-0.
• This parity underscores the unpredictable nature of the league.
• Patriots' Ground Game and Defense: Running back Rhamondre Stevenson scored his first two touchdowns of the season, providing a balanced attack for the New England offense. His second touchdown gave the Patriots a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.
• Defensively, New England won the turnover battle 3-1, with key plays like a forced fumble by Robert Spillane and an interception by Marcus Jones thwarting Buffalo's drives.