James Cook dominates as Bills rally to defeat Patriots 24-21
- The New England Patriots established an impressive 14-0 lead early in the game.
- The Buffalo Bills recovered from this deficit, with key turnovers by the Patriots in the second half.
- James Cook's two touchdowns were crucial in securing a narrow victory for the Bills.
In an intense NFL matchup, the Buffalo Bills faced off against the New England Patriots on December 22, 2024, in Orchard Park, New York. The game kicked off with the Patriots showing offensive prowess early on, as quarterback Drake Maye connected with rookie Kayshon Boutte for a 28-yard touchdown pass on the first drive. Following this, Rhamondre Stevenson added a 14-yard touchdown run, propelling New England to a 14-0 lead. Despite the Patriots' strong start, the tide turned in the second half as they committed three vital turnovers that cost them the game. The first half featured a strong defensive performance from New England, limiting the Bills who had been on a scoring spree in previous games. Buffalo eventually responded with a 46-yard touchdown run by James Cook, marking the beginning of their comeback. After Cook’s touchdown catch, which tied the game at 14, the Patriots faltered with a sequence of errors. Stevenson fumbled early in the second half, providing Buffalo with a chance to take the lead. The offense capitalized with a 50-yard field goal by Tyler Bass. However, the Patriots' quarterback Maye gave away possession moments later with an interception, further increasing the pressure. The defining moment of the game occurred when Taron Johnson recovered a fumble in the end zone, extending Buffalo’s lead to 24-14 with just over ten minutes left. Maye managed to score again with a touchdown pass to Hunter Henry with just over a minute remaining, bringing the score to 24-21. But it was too late for a full revival as the Bills recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock. This game marked a critical moment for the Bills, improving their record to 12-3 and preserving slim hopes for the top AFC playoff seed while the Patriots dropped to 3-12, jeopardizing their standing for the season. The defeat left New England in a tough spot under first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, who had taken over following a disappointing previous season. The Bills managed to stop their streak of scoring over 30 points a game, a record run that extended to eight previous outings, ending here against a strong defensive team in New England, which now appears to face significant challenges in the closing games of the regular season.