Report card: Bills top Patriots, 35-31, in Week 15

Report card: Bills top Patriots, 35-31, in Week 15Story byJustin DiLoro, Bills WireWed, December 17, 2025 at 1:20 AM UTC·3 min read

The Buffalo Bills completed a stellar come-from-behind victory over the New England Patriots, 35-31, to move within one game of the AFC East lead.

The Bills (10-4) rallied from 21 points down to win and ultimately split the season series with the Patriots (11-3).

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Buffalo’s first half was not one for the faint of heart. The Bills gave up points on four of five New England drives. Bufalo gave up three rushing touchdowns in the first half: Two to QB Drake Maye and one sensational 52-yard burst from running back TreVeyon Henderson.

The Bills didn’t find the end zone until late in the second quarter when running back James Cook caught a short five-yard pass from Josh Allen.

Everything flipped 180 degrees for the Bills in the second half.

Buffalo’s offense came to life, scoring on its first four series. Cook scored two rushing touchdowns while tight end Dawson Knox added two receiving scores.

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The defense locked down the Patriots, holding New England to only 100 yards in the second half. Outside of a second Henderson score, a 65-yard scamper for his second touchdown of the afternoon, the Patriots offense was largely ineffective in the second half.

With that, here's how Bills Wire graded the Bills' win over the Patriots:

Rush offense: A-

Dec 14, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) runs for a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Buffalo’s ground game was efficient and effective. James Cook surpassed the century mark once again, piling up 107 yards on 22 carries and two rushing touchdowns. Josh Allen added 48 yards on 11 carries. Allen had a touchdown called back due to a Cyrus O’Torrence holding penalty.

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Ty Johnson carried the ball only three times, but his final rush helped solidify the game for the Bills. Johnson bulled ahead for a two-yard gain on third down to bring the game to garbage time.

Pass offense: A-

Dec 14, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

The intermediate passing game has become the focal point for the Bills aerial attack. Tight ends Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid have become the most reliable options for Allen. Knox caught three passes for 37 yards and touchdowns, while Kincaid added three catches for 34 yards.

Khalil Shakir had a quiet first half but became noticeable in the second half, leading the Bills with five receptions for 65 yards. Shakir battled through a pass interference call to wrestle a 37-yard pass away from a Patriots defender deep in New England territory.

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Allen ended the day 19-of-28 for 193 yards and three touchdown passes.

The boundary receivers are still lacking production for the Bills. Joshua Palmer was the only other wide receiver to catch a pass, reeling in a 16-yard reception. Brandin Cooks was shut out, failing to catch any of his three targets. Tyrell Shavers was not targeted in the afternoon.

Rush defense: F

Dec 14, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots running back Treveyon Henderson (32) runs the ball for a touchdown against Buffalo Bills safety Cole Bishop (24) in the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

TreVeyon Henderson broke out with two long touchdown runs. He ran for a 52-yard touchdown that saw him burst through the Bills defensive line and see Buffalo’s secondary take some poor pursuit angles. Henderson had a 65-yard run to give New England the lead in the fourth quarter. All told, Henderson piled up 148 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns.

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Rhamondre Stevenson added 50 yards on eight carries, and Drake Maye surprisingly scurried for 43 yards on four rushes.

The damage report: 248 rushing yards allowed.

Pass defense: A-

Dec 14, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Buffalo’s defense had some issues against the pass in the first half, but they did a tremendous job in the second half against Maye. It helped that the Bills took the Patriots out of the rushing game script once their offense came to life.

Matt Milano had two sacks, and Greg Rousseau added a third.

Tre’Davious White had an amazing interception, harkening back to his All-Pro days. White added two pass breakups and a tackle for loss.

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The Bills hung strong without Christian Benford in the secondary.

Buffalo allowed only 139 total passing yards to the Patriots. Former Bill Mack Hollins led New England with four receptions for 41 yards. Stefon Diggs added three catches for 26 yards.

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Report card: Bills top Patriots, 35-31, in Week 15

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