Josh Allen’s Heroics Lead Bills to Stunning Comeback Win Over Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - It was a game that had the makings of a disaster for Buffalo. Down 21 points in the second half, the Bills looked flat, frustrated, and on the verge of a loss that would’ve derailed their playoff hopes. Then Josh Allen put on the cape.
In a performance that mixed guts, grit, and a little bit of gastrointestinal distress, Allen led the Bills on five consecutive touchdown drives to erase a 21-point deficit and lift Buffalo to a 35-31 win over the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Yes, five straight touchdown drives. In the NFL, that’s rare.
In December, in Foxborough, with the playoffs on the line? That’s elite quarterbacking.
Maye’s Growing Pains Continue
On the other sideline, Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye had his moments but ultimately couldn’t keep pace with Allen’s second-half explosion. Maye finished 14-of-23 for 155 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception.
The numbers don’t tell the whole story, though. He showed flashes of poise and arm talent, but the Patriots’ offense stalled when it mattered most.
Late in the fourth quarter, with New England clinging to a lead and facing a pivotal fourth down, Maye tried to orchestrate a game-sealing drive. He pointed out linebacker Dorian Williams pre-snap, recognizing pressure, but the play never materialized. The Bills’ defense held, and Allen got the ball back with a chance to win it.
That was all he needed.
The Turning Point
Let’s rewind to the third quarter. The Patriots were in control, having built a three-touchdown lead.
Their defense had kept Allen largely in check, and the crowd at Gillette was buzzing. But the Bills offense, which had looked sluggish in the first half, suddenly found its rhythm.
It started with a quick-strike drive capped by a touchdown pass. Then another.
And another. The Patriots’ defense, which had been swarming early, began to crack under the pressure of Allen’s tempo and decision-making.
Missed tackles, blown coverages, and a few key penalties opened the door for Buffalo’s comeback.
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Allen was in full command. He was improvising, extending plays, and hitting receivers in stride.
The Patriots’ pass rush, which had been effective early, couldn’t get home. Allen’s mobility and vision turned broken plays into backbreakers.
Allen’s Superman Moment
It wasn’t just the throws. It was the energy.
The leadership. The refusal to let the game slip away.
Allen was even seen vomiting on the sideline during the comeback - a moment that, strangely enough, seemed to fire up the team. He didn’t miss a snap.
Didn’t flinch. He was dialed in, and the entire offense followed his lead.
After the game, Allen downplayed the moment, saying, “It was just a little bug, nothing serious.” But the image of a visibly ill quarterback leading a furious rally only added to his legend in Buffalo.
Patriots Let One Slip Away
For the Patriots, this one stings. They had control.
They had momentum. And they let it get away.
The defense, which had played so well for three quarters, simply couldn’t stop the bleeding in the fourth. There were communication breakdowns in the secondary, missed assignments in the run game, and a general lack of composure as Allen heated up.
Offensively, New England couldn’t find an answer once Buffalo started scoring. Maye moved the ball at times, but the Patriots couldn’t finish drives. A costly turnover and a failed fourth-down attempt in crunch time sealed their fate.
What It Means for the AFC Race
This win keeps the Bills firmly in the AFC playoff picture. At 35-31, it wasn’t pretty, but it was gutsy - and in December, that’s what matters. Allen’s performance reminded everyone why Buffalo is still a threat, even in a crowded postseason race.
For New England, it’s another growing pain in a season full of them. Maye is clearly talented, but the rookie inconsistencies are still there. The Patriots showed they can compete - they just couldn’t close.
Final Word
Josh Allen didn’t just win a football game Sunday - he delivered a statement. Down big, on the road, not feeling 100%, and still finding a way to lead five straight touchdown drives? That’s the stuff of MVP-caliber quarterbacks.
The Bills needed a spark. Allen gave them a fire. And now, with the playoffs looming, Buffalo’s season still has life - thanks to their quarterback’s heart, arm, and yes, even his stomach.