The New England Patriots defeated the Buffalo Bills 29-26 in a dramatic Week 4 matchup on Sunday, October 4, 2026. New England overcame a late five-point deficit with a go-ahead touchdown from Drake Maye to Efton Chism III, followed by a successful two-point conversion, before the defense sealed the victory with a late interception.
The result was a major AFC East statement for the Patriots, who improved to 2-2, while the previously unbeaten Bills fell to 3-1. The game was played at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo and featured several momentum swings before New England produced the decisive fourth-quarter sequence.
Patriots vs Bills Final Score
The final score was Patriots 29, Bills 26. Buffalo led 17-14 at halftime and later moved ahead 26-21 in the fourth quarter, but New England responded with the final touchdown and two-point conversion of the game.
The Patriots’ victory was particularly impressive because they had to overcome Buffalo’s late surge. Rather than settling for a field goal, New England kept attacking and ultimately found the end zone with less than two minutes remaining.
Drake Maye Leads the Patriots Comeback
Drake Maye was at the center of New England’s comeback, completing 22 of 37 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns. His most important contribution came on the final scoring drive, when he delivered the pass that gave the Patriots their first lead since the third quarter.
Maye’s performance was also important because Buffalo’s defense had repeatedly forced New England into difficult situations. He stayed aggressive late in the game and produced the throws necessary to turn a 26-21 deficit into a 29-26 victory.
Efton Chism III Makes the Game-Winning Catch
The biggest highlight of Patriots vs Bills came with 1:55 remaining in the fourth quarter. Maye threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Efton Chism III, giving New England a 27-26 lead.
Chism’s spectacular one-handed catch became the defining image of the game. The play gave the Patriots the lead, but New England still needed to make another important decision because Buffalo would have had a chance to win with a touchdown if the Patriots had kicked the extra point.
Patriots Convert the Two-Point Attempt
Instead of attempting the conventional extra point, New England went for two and succeeded. Maye found Rhamondre Stevenson, pushing the Patriots’ advantage to 29-26 with only 1:50 left on the clock.
That decision proved crucial because Buffalo needed a touchdown rather than a field goal to regain the lead. The Patriots’ defense then had the opportunity to finish the game without giving the Bills a realistic path to overtime.
Josh Allen and Keon Coleman Keep Buffalo in the Game
Josh Allen finished with 253 passing yards, one passing touchdown and one interception, while also rushing for a touchdown. Allen’s second-quarter rushing score was significant in his individual record book, moving him to 88 career touchdowns from scrimmage and making him Buffalo’s franchise leader in that category.
Keon Coleman was Buffalo’s leading receiving threat, recording six catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. His 34-yard touchdown reception with 4:33 remaining in the fourth quarter put the Bills ahead 26-21 and appeared to put Buffalo in control.
But Buffalo’s failure to convert the two-point attempt after Coleman’s touchdown left the Bills with only a five-point advantage. That small margin became extremely important when New England answered with its own touchdown.
Patriots Defense Seals the Victory
Buffalo still had one final chance after New England took the lead. Allen moved the Bills into position to potentially steal the game back, but Patriots defensive back Craig Woodson intercepted his pass late in the fourth quarter.
The interception ended Buffalo’s final possession and allowed New England to take control of the remaining seconds. Maye subsequently took a pair of kneel-downs as the Patriots secured one of their most dramatic wins of the season.
How the Patriots vs Bills Game Developed
New England started strongly and opened the scoring when Maye connected with Romeo Doubs for a 14-yard touchdown. Buffalo responded through James Cook, but the Patriots regained the lead when Stevenson scored on a one-yard rushing touchdown.
Allen then answered with his own two-yard touchdown run, tying the contest at 14-14. Tyler Bass added a 27-yard field goal just before halftime, sending Buffalo into the locker room with a 17-14 advantage.
The Patriots regained momentum in the third quarter when Maye found Doubs for a second touchdown, putting New England ahead 21-17. Buffalo responded with a 38-yard Bass field goal before Coleman’s fourth-quarter touchdown gave the Bills their 26-21 lead.
That set up the dramatic final sequence. Chism’s touchdown, Stevenson’s two-point reception and Woodson’s interception completed a remarkable comeback and gave New England its second win of the season.
Patriots vs Bills Key Player Performances
Romeo Doubs played an important role for New England, finishing with six receptions for 58 yards and two touchdowns. His two scoring catches gave the Patriots an early advantage and provided Maye with a reliable target throughout the game.
Stevenson added 47 rushing yards and a touchdown while also making the critical two-point reception. Hunter Henry led the Patriots in receiving yardage with 62 yards on five catches, helping sustain several important drives.
For Buffalo, Coleman was the standout receiver with 116 yards and a touchdown, while James Cook contributed 75 rushing yards and a score. Khalil Shakir also produced 82 receiving yards, but Buffalo ultimately could not protect its late lead.
Patriots vs Bills Result and AFC East Impact
The Patriots’ 29-26 victory moved them to 2-2 and gave them valuable momentum in the AFC East. Buffalo endured its first setback of the campaign, slipping to a 3-1 record after the loss.
Beyond the standings, the result showed that New England can compete in high-pressure games against one of the AFC’s leading teams. Maye’s late-game execution and the defense’s final takeaway were especially important in turning what looked like a Buffalo victory into a Patriots road win.
Patriots vs Bills Highlights: Final Takeaway
The defining sequence of Patriots vs Bills came in the final two minutes. Buffalo led 26-21 after Coleman’s touchdown, but Maye answered with a 23-yard touchdown to Chism, connected with Stevenson for the two-point conversion and then watched Woodson intercept Allen to end the Bills’ final opportunity.
Final result: New England Patriots 29, Buffalo Bills 26. The Patriots leave Buffalo at 2-2 after one of the most dramatic finishes of Week 4, while the Bills fall to 3-1 following their first loss of the 2026 season.
