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Drake Maye throws three touchdowns as Patriots beat Bills 29–26

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Efton Chism III’s late touchdown and a two-point conversion lifted New England past Buffalo, ending the Bills’ unbeaten start.

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WhyNFL Sports DeskPublished
Josh Allen wearing Buffalo Bills training clothes and a cap before a September 2021 game.
Josh Allen before Buffalo’s September 26, 2021 game against Washington (archive photo). “JMG_1345” by Joe Glorioso / All-Pro Reels, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0. Display crop.

Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes, including a late 23-yard strike to Efton Chism III, as the New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills 29–26 on Sunday, October 4.

The road victory brought New England back to 2–2 and handed Buffalo its first loss of the season. The Bills dropped to 3–1 after a game in which both teams surrendered fourth-quarter leads.

A touchdown and two-point conversion decide it

New England answered Buffalo’s final touchdown with an eight-play, 73-yard drive that lasted 2:37. Maye finished it with the scoring pass to Chism, then found Rhamondre Stevenson for the two-point conversion.

The Bills had moved in front when Josh Allen hit Keon Coleman for a 34-yard touchdown. Buffalo’s two-point pass failed, leaving the score 26–21. Earlier in the quarter, Tyler Bass’ 38-yard field goal had cut New England’s advantage to a single point.

Doubs scores twice as the lead changes hands

Romeo Doubs caught Maye’s first touchdown, a 14-yard pass that completed a 97-yard opening scoring drive. The receiver struck again from two yards in the third quarter, finishing a 14-play, 73-yard possession that put the Patriots ahead 21–17.

Between those scores, Buffalo built a 17–14 halftime lead. James Cook scored on an eight-yard run, Allen added a two-yard rushing touchdown, and Bass made a 27-yard field goal. Stevenson supplied New England’s other first-half touchdown with a one-yard run.

Maye supplies production through the air and on the ground

Maye completed 22 of 37 passes for 269 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also ran eight times for 54 yards. Doubs finished with six catches for 58 yards and two scores, while Hunter Henry had five receptions for 62 yards.

Allen went 23 of 33 for 253 yards, one passing touchdown and one interception, in addition to his rushing score. Coleman led Buffalo with six receptions for 116 yards, and Khalil Shakir added seven catches for 82. Cook rushed for 75 yards on 12 carries.

The Patriots host the Raiders on October 11. Buffalo’s next game is a Monday night trip to face the Rams on October 12.

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