New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills
Final Score: Patriots 23, Bills 20
Writer: Griffey Geiss (@ggeiss_mlb and @ggeiss_PL on Twitter)
Wow… what a game!! Dare I say, aside from the record, these teams played pretty even football. It was a flag fest early, that’s for sure, with over twenty combined penalties enforced (among many others that were declined) for nearly 200 total yards. Additionally, there were multiple fumbles on both sides, and the Patriots were able to force Josh Allen into throwing an interception. Each team’s pass rush was strong, though the Bills’ certainly ended up looking better in the box score. Greg Rousseau had himself a game with 3 QB hits, 2 TFLs, and a sack, while ex-Boston Red Sox draftee (true fact!) Shaq Thompson forced a fumble. With that being said, it was the Patriots that stole the spotlight on Sunday Night Football. Drake Maye is elite. Stefon Diggs looks the part as his vintage WR1 self, yet is a completely different difference-maker on the sideline as a leader. Andy Borregales has overcome his early rookie struggles and is nailing field goals and PATs. And the big boys in the front look exceptional.
Are the Pats a playoff contender? Especially with their ultra-light remaining schedule? They may just be…
Three Up
- Drake Maye: Simply put, he showed the entire world on SNF that he has the talent to be a top-tier NFL QB.
- Stefon Diggs: 10 catches for 140+ yards in a huge revenge win.
- Dalton Kincaid: posted a career-high in single-game receiving yards with over 100.
Two Down
- James Cook: Pats’ DLine had him on lock all night.
- Keon Coleman: fumble, drop, and couldn’t stay in bounds on another target in the end zone.
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Drake Maye: 22/30, 273 yards | 3 carries, 12 yards
Maye continues to dazzle left and right. Watching his development week-to-week is magical. Maye was constantly under duress against the Bills’ pass rush, being sacked four times and hit on eight different plays, but he was able to craft his way to a stellar Sunday Night Football win. He’s so efficient and effective, consistently throwing strikes to his receivers in stride, and his legs are a true weapon. While the rush yards may not showcase that, rewatch the tape. His ability to scramble right, make guys miss, and extend plays is the reason New England won tonight. He was exceptional. And again, no turnovers.
Maye is the youngest QB ever to record four consecutive 200+ yard games with a completion rate of 70% or better. Tom Brady is the next-closest player to achieve that milestone, and he won the MVP that season. I said it before, and I’ll say it again: I don’t think it’s crazy to anoint Maye as a top ten quarterback in the NFL.
THIS ANGLE OF DRAKE MAYE'S THROW 😍
What a DIME to Diggs. pic.twitter.com/tuKXVIG0Jf
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) October 6, 2025
Running Back
TreVeyon Henderson: 6 carries, 24 yards | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 3 yards
After Stevenson’s fumble and Gibson’s injury, Henderson’s volume increased. He led his team in rush yards and plays (though it wasn’t an impressive display by any means) and also made impacts in the passing game and on special teams. It was odd to see Henderson lose out on multiple opportunities to score the football, however, especially considering Stevenson was the one who got (and capitalized on) both chances.
Henderson notably had over double the amount of snaps as Stevenson in early down situations (13) while also leading his fellow running backs in two-minute drill snaps (9).
Gibson’s injury means more work for Henderson in the near future, though I still think the Patriots are slacking and should rely on Henderson’s explosive ability with a few more touches on a per-game basis.
Rhamondre Stevenson: 7 carries, 14 yards, 2 TDs, 1 fumble (LOST) | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 14 yards
One of the stat lines of all-time from Stevenson, if I do say so myself. Stevenson’s major struggle with fumbling the football continued early when Shaq Thompson punched the ball out after a seven-yard gain in the middle of the first quarter. He was essentially forced back into action after the Gibson injury, and later redeemed himself by scoring not one, but two touchdowns. He also returned two kicks for forty yards.
Stevenson, despite the turnover, got New England’s sole goal line rushing attempt and was the leader in 3rd down snaps.
TWICE IS NICE @dreeday32 ✌️
📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/MHzprCQ3Uw
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 6, 2025
Antonio Gibson: 6 carries, 21 yards, 1 fumble (recovered) | 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards
Gibson served as the primary backup to starter Rhamondre Stevenson and, after the fumble from New England’s starter, Gibson essentially inserted himself into the starting role with five of his seven touches coming on the next offensive possession. Unfortunately, Gibson suffered a knee injury on his second kick return (hence the fumble, which was recovered by TreVeyon Henderson) and did not return to action, walking off the field in tears.
Reports indicate he was seen on crutches after the game.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Stefon Diggs: 12 targets, 10 receptions, 146 yards
Vintage. Stefon. Diggs. This was by far the best performance by any New England Patriots receiver I’ve seen in YEARS. I’m being serious, unfortunately. Watching Diggs carve defenders with his routes, create separation, and generate extra yards after contact is a beautiful thing. Not to mention, his veteran expertise came in handy on several occasions when Maye tried to scramble out right and had to improvise. Diggs sensed the play breaking down and came to his QB’s aid.
It was only a matter of time before Diggs started to break out post-ACL rehab. It looks like that time is now. Not to mention, Diggs said he’s only halfway there in terms of being comfortable in the Patriots system. If this is 50%… watch out, folks!
Stefon Diggs is a true veteran receiver. He knew Drake Maye was in trouble and got creative. Huge play: pic.twitter.com/0I2IXGHqmR
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) October 6, 2025
Hunter Henry: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 46 yards
Henry remained a solid threat in the Patriots’ passing game, per usual. He’s led all New England offensive skill players in snaps and routes run every single week in 2025.
Unfortunately for my Henry fantasy owners out there, he dropped a wide-open touchdown pass right before the half.
Kayshon Boutte: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 43 yards
With Diggs making a substantial impact, it’s no surprise to see Boutte’s role “shrink” into a WR2 role for the second straight week. Even so, Boutte was productive and made multiple huge catches. Maye continues to look his way week after week in big spots, and Boutte has not disappointed. I think eventually, with Maye’s ability to distribute, there could be a little more on the way here. We’ve seen glimpses.
Demario Douglas: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 17 yards
After being completely nonexistent last week, Douglas returned to pass-catching duties. His role was slimmed down quite a bit, but it’s better than nothing.
Buffalo Bills
Quarterback
Josh Allen: 22/31, 253 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 1 fumble (LOST) | 9 carries, 53 yards
Allen wasn’t bad by any means, but it was clear that the Patriots’ defense made an impact on his ability to distribute the football. There were certainly times he looked like the elite MVP candidate he was — in fact, he looked that way more often than not — but in the end, his performance simply wasn’t good enough. He botched an end-around attempt that resulted in an early fumble. Then he made an awful throw into double coverage that resulted in an interception. He also made a handful of other dangerous throws, including another turnover-worthy throw that the defender picked off, though he landed out of bounds.
Allen was not aided by the amount of offensive penalties that occurred early on in the game, but it did even out when the Patriots nearly botched the game with an implosion of defensive flags in the second half.
In other news, his connection with Dalton Kincaid was pristine. Allen’s legs were also a problem for the most part. He was able to craft his way through defenders and make guys miss with ease. I was surprised he didn’t rely on them more during crunch time or closer to the red zone.
Running Back
James Cook: 15 carries, 49 yards | 1 target
The Patriots had Cook on lockdown for the most part tonight, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry. That mark is by far and away his worst this season and, ironically, the lowest YPC he’s turned in since facing the Patriots in the season finale last January. I do believe the scoreboard also had a role in today’s game. With the Bills trailing for a majority of the time, there wasn’t really a window to get Cook rolling. Those two factors led to his down game in production.
In terms of volume, I wouldn’t be worried as a fantasy owner. He was easily the lead back and should return to his normal production next week.
Ty Johnson: 2 carries, 10 yards
Johnson served as the backup running back, carrying the ball just twice. He also returned two kicks for 43 yards.
Ray Davis: 2 carries, 1 yard
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Dalton Kincaid: 6 targets, 6 receptions, 108 yards
A career game for Kincaid, plain and simple. He was uber effective, hauling in a season-high six receptions and setting a single-game career-high in yards (108). We may be in the midst of watching a stellar breakout campaign: among qualified TEs in 2025, Kincaid’s 13.3 average points per game in PPR ranks 2nd in the NFL, only behind Jake Ferguson.
Kincaid did seem in pain at one point, flexing his right wrist, though he stayed in the game, so maybe that’s something to monitor.
Khalil Shakir: 9 targets, 6 receptions, 45 yards
Shakir was targeted quite often, but overall, didn’t have a significant impact in tonight’s game. While some of his teammates saw a decline in usage with the return of Curtis Samuel, it should be noted that Shakir did not. He led all Buffalo pass catchers in snaps and routes run tonight. The Bills still sparingly use him in 1-2 WR sets, however. Another noteworthy nugget is that three of Shakir’s targets came on Buffalo’s final drive of the game when Allen needed to connect with a friendly target.
Joshua Palmer: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 36 yards
Palmer didn’t wow anyone, but he did haul in both of his targets for nearly forty yards, ripping off a long of 23. He made his impact primarily as the team’s Z receiver.
Curtis Samuel: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 26 yards, TD
I was intrigued by Samuel’s game today. He moved up in the depth chart as well, following Elijah Moore’s healthy scratch. Samuel made an impact, hauling in a tuddy, plus returning three kicks for 84 yards. His increased role was notable, even bumping some of his teammates (notably Keon Coleman, as seen below) out of opportunities.
Keon Coleman: 7 targets, 4 receptions, 23 yards, TD, 1 fumble (LOST)
Odd game from Coleman. On one hand, he made some stellar grabs, including his score or a nifty jump ball he hauled in during crunch time. Then again, he also dropped a pass, fumbled, and was unable to bring in another pass deep in the endzone that would’ve changed the game. Being the X receiver on 72% of snaps, his matchup was pretty unfavorable against Christian Gonzalez. His role was decreased tonight thanks to the matchup, likely the early mistakes, and Samuel’s uptick.
He is borderline droppable in most leagues.
Dawson Knox: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 15 yards