New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills: 2020 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-11-01, the Buffalo Bills took care of business against the New England Patriots, pulling away with a 24–21 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Newton (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +3.35 total EPA, and -5.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, Z. Moss (Buffalo Bills) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.23 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-44.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (:37) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton left tackle to BUF 14 for 5 yards (61-J.Zimmer). FUMBLES (61-J.Zimmer), RECOVERED by BUF-31-D.Marlowe at BUF 13.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 Z. Moss · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +4.23 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Meyers · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.79 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Harris · New England Patriots · Rushing · +3.75 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Singletary · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +3.61 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
5. 5 C. Newton · New England Patriots · Passing · +3.35 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Byrd · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.59 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Beasley · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.44 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.22 EPA/play
8. 8 R. Burkhead · New England Patriots · Rushing · +2.01 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Buffalo Bills — Z. Moss (Q1 50:34)
• Buffalo Bills — Z. Moss (Q3 27:17)
• New England Patriots — D. Harris (Q3 18:09)
• Buffalo Bills — J. Allen (Q4 13:16)
• New England Patriots — C. Newton (Q4 9:40)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — N. Folk (Q2 40:55)
• New England Patriots — N. Folk (Q2 30:12)
• New England Patriots — J. Bailey (Q2 30:08)
• Buffalo Bills — T. Bass (Q4 4:10)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–0. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NE 8 (Q1 50:34) — (5:34) 20-Z.Moss left tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q1 50:29) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez..

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 9–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the BUF 25 (Q2 40:55) — (10:55) 6-N.Folk 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the BUF 15 (Q2 30:12) — (:12) 6-N.Folk 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NE 35 (Q2 30:08) — 7-J.Bailey kicks 65 yards from NE 35 to end zone, Touchback. A.Roberts kneels 6 yds. into end zone..

The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 8–7. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NE 4 (Q3 27:17) — (12:17) (Shotgun) 20-Z.Moss right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q3 27:09) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the BUF 22 (Q3 18:09) — (3:09) 37-D.Harris left guard for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots registered a safety from the BUF 2 (Q3 18:03) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 1-C.Newton pass to 16-J.Meyers is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. Caught 5 yds. into end zone..

The fourth quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 10–7. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NE 2 (Q4 13:16) — (13:16) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q4 13:12) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the BUF 2 (Q4 9:40) — (9:40) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q4 9:36) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the NE 10 (Q4 4:10) — (4:10) 2-T.Bass 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• New England Patriots (Q4 0:37) — (:37) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton left tackle to BUF 14 for 5 yards (61-J.Zimmer). FUMBLES (61-J.Zimmer), RECOVERED by BUF-31-D.Marlowe at BUF 13. [WPA -44.0% · EPA -3.70]
• Buffalo Bills (Q4 13:16) — (13:16) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.9% · EPA +1.87]
• New England Patriots (Q4 9:40) — (9:40) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.6% · EPA +2.07]
• Buffalo Bills (Q2 31:47) — (1:47) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short right intended for 14-S.Diggs INTERCEPTED by 27-J.Jackson at NE 26. 27-J.Jackson pushed ob at BUF 49 for 25 yards (75-D.Williams). [WPA -10.1% · EPA -3.70]
• New England Patriots (Q3 18:09) — (3:09) 37-D.Harris left guard for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.1% · EPA +2.75]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• New England Patriots (Q4 0:37) — (:37) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton left tackle to BUF 14 for 5 yards (61-J.Zimmer). FUMBLES (61-J.Zimmer), RECOVERED by BUF-31-D.Marlowe at BUF 13. [WPA -44.0% · EPA -3.70]
• Buffalo Bills (Q2 31:47) — (1:47) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short right intended for 14-S.Diggs INTERCEPTED by 27-J.Jackson at NE 26. 27-J.Jackson pushed ob at BUF 49 for 25 yards (75-D.Williams). [WPA -10.1% · EPA -3.70]
• New England Patriots (Q3 18:09) — (3:09) 37-D.Harris left guard for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.1% · EPA +2.75]
• Buffalo Bills (Q3 28:07) — (13:07) 17-J.Allen pass short middle to 14-S.Diggs to NE 4 for 41 yards (30-J.McCourty). [WPA +8.5% · EPA +2.75]

Quarterback report card

C.Newton led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• C.Newton (New England Patriots) · 32 dropbacks · 46.9% completion · -5.7% CPOE · +0.10 EPA/play · +3.35 total EPA
• J.Allen (Buffalo Bills) · 22 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -1.8% CPOE · -0.06 EPA/play · -1.38 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (New England Patriots +0.08, Buffalo Bills +0.11) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Buffalo Bills: 10 drives, +8.08 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 9 drives, +6.19 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Buffalo Bills leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• Z. Moss (Buffalo Bills) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• C. Newton (NE) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 50:34 · NE 8 · Score 0-6
   (5:34) 20-Z.Moss left tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 50:29 · NE 15 · Score 0-7
   2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez.
3. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 40:55 · BUF 25 · Score 3-7
   (10:55) 6-N.Folk 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.
4. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 30:12 · BUF 15 · Score 6-7
   (:12) 6-N.Folk 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.
5. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 30:08 · NE 35 · Score 6-7
   7-J.Bailey kicks 65 yards from NE 35 to end zone, Touchback. A.Roberts kneels 6 yds. into end zone.
6. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 27:17 · NE 4 · Score 6-13
   (12:17) (Shotgun) 20-Z.Moss right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 27:09 · NE 15 · Score 6-14
   2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez.
8. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 18:09 · BUF 22 · Score 12-14
   (3:09) 37-D.Harris left guard for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. New England Patriots Safety (+2) — Q3 18:03 · BUF 2 · Score 14-14
   (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 1-C.Newton pass to 16-J.Meyers is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. Caught 5 yds. into end zone.
10. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 13:16 · NE 2 · Score 14-20
    (13:16) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 13:12 · NE 15 · Score 14-21
    2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez.
12. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 9:40 · BUF 2 · Score 20-21
    (9:40) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 9:36 · BUF 15 · Score 21-21
    6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.
14. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q4 4:10 · NE 10 · Score 21-24
    (4:10) 2-T.Bass 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez.