As the NFL calendar flips to Week 16, the Buffalo Bills are heating up at exactly the right time. Winners of three straight, now sitting at 10-4, this team is starting to look like the contender many expected.
And if you’ve been watching closely, you know the second half is where the magic’s happening. From a gritty comeback against the Bengals to a statement win over the Patriots, Buffalo is showing serious late-game resilience - and it’s not just Josh Allen doing the heavy lifting.
Four players stepped up in a big way during the Bills’ Week 15 win over New England. Let’s break down how each of them made their mark in what turned into a complete team effort.
1. TE Dawson Knox: A New No. 88 Makes History
Buffalo fans know the number 88 has some history at tight end. Pete Metzelaars wore it during the Bills’ Super Bowl runs in the early '90s, hauling in 25 touchdowns across a solid career in Orchard Park. That mark stood for decades - until now.
Dawson Knox, also wearing No. 88, has officially etched his name into Bills history. He entered Sunday’s game one touchdown shy of Metzelaars’ franchise record for a tight end. By the time the final whistle blew, Knox had not only tied it - he broke it, scoring his 26th career touchdown.
Knox’s performance against the Patriots was clutch. He finished with three catches for 37 yards and two touchdowns, helping Buffalo claw back from a 17-point deficit.
With 353 yards and three touchdowns on the season, Knox has embraced a complementary role alongside Dalton Kincaid, and the pairing is proving to be a problem for defenses. While Kincaid may be the flashier name right now, Knox’s reliability and red-zone presence were on full display in Foxborough.
2. RB/KR Ray Davis: Sparking the Comeback
When you’re down 24-7 and need a jolt, special teams can be the difference - and Ray Davis delivered. The rookie running back turned kick returner has quietly become a spark plug for this team, and Sunday was another example of how valuable he’s become.
Davis ripped off two big returns, including a momentum-shifting one to open the second half. That return didn’t just set up field position - it set the tone.
Buffalo scored quickly, and the comeback was on. Davis finished the day with 164 return yards, giving the offense short fields and keeping the pressure on New England.
He’s only logged 106 rushing yards this season, but with 745 kick return yards - including a 97-yard touchdown earlier this year against Houston - Davis is proving that he doesn’t need to carry the ball on offense to change the game. He’s embraced his role with maturity and energy, and the Bills are better for it.
3. LB Matt Milano: The Steady Force
While the Bills have been known for their second-half surges, Matt Milano was locked in from the opening snap. Even when the defense struggled early, Milano was flying around, making plays and keeping the Patriots from running away with it.
Late in the game, with the Patriots facing a third-and-long, Milano came up with a massive sack on rookie quarterback Drake Maye. It was the kind of play that shifts momentum and forces mistakes - and that’s exactly what happened.
Milano finished with 10 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. It was a vintage performance from one of Buffalo’s most consistent defenders. In a game where the defense needed someone to step up, Milano delivered, showing once again why he's the heartbeat of this unit.
4. CB Tre'Davious White: Holding It Down Without Benford
Tre'Davious White has been working his way back to form after a tough ACL injury in 2023, and Sunday showed just how close he is to being the shutdown corner Bills fans remember.
With Christian Benford ruled out late in the week due to a toe injury, White was thrust into a bigger role. No excuses, no hesitation - just lockdown defense.
He didn’t just fill in; he led. White and the secondary made key stops in the second half, limiting Maye and keeping the Patriots from answering Buffalo’s surge.
It was a reminder that when White is healthy, he’s still one of the most dependable corners in the league. His performance in Foxborough was a major reason the Bills were able to complete the comeback and keep their win streak alive.
Final Word
This wasn’t just another win for Buffalo - it was a statement. The Bills are rounding into form, and they’re doing it with contributions from all three phases.
Josh Allen will always be the headline, but this team is deeper than that. Whether it’s a tight end rewriting the record books, a return man flipping the field, a linebacker setting the tone, or a corner locking it down, the Bills are getting big plays from big-time players.
And if they keep playing like this in the second half of games? The AFC better be ready.