Patriots 12–9 Bills: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 14, 2001

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills?

T. Brown (New England Patriots) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +2.58 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (+2.47 EPA): (13:23) 12-T.Brady pass to 80-T.Brown to NE 43 for 26 yards (53-K.Newman). Caught over middle at NE 36..

Quick answer

Winner: New England Patriots
Final score: New England Patriots 12–9 Buffalo Bills
Halftime: New England Patriots 6–0 Buffalo Bills at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Trent Brown
Top passer: A.Van Pelt
Biggest EPA play: (13:26) 32-A.Smith left end to NE 32 for -2 yards (39-R.Hill). FUMBLES (39-R.Hill), RECOVE…
Game date: 2001-12-16

Game summary

The New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills 12–9 on 2001-12-16. Trent Brown posted a game-high +2.58 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 9 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	OT	T
New England Patriots	3	3	0	3	3	12
Buffalo Bills	0	0	3	6	0	9

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

NENew England Patriots

+3BUF 22

+3BUF 15

+3NE 23

+3NE 7

+3NE 23

+3BUF 7

+3BUF 5

BUFBuffalo Bills

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

7 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

NENew England Patriots
Q1 4:07FG
AVA. Vinatieri
Points+3
Yard line
BUF 22
Score
3-0
(4:07) 4-A.Vinatieri 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
NENew England Patriots
Q2 0:58FG
AVA. Vinatieri
Points+3
Yard line
BUF 15
Score
6-0
(:58) 4-A.Vinatieri 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q3 11:19FG
SGS. Graham
Points+3
Yard line
NE 23
Score
6-3
(11:19) 17-S.Graham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-68-M.Unutoa, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q4 10:40FG
SGS. Graham
Points+3
Yard line
NE 7
Score
6-6
(10:40) 17-S.Graham 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-68-M.Unutoa, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q4 6:20FG
SGS. Graham
Points+3
Yard line
NE 23
Score
6-9
(6:20) 17-S.Graham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-68-M.Unutoa, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.
NENew England Patriots
Q4 2:50FG
AVA. Vinatieri
Points+3
Yard line
BUF 7
Score
9-9
(2:50) 4-A.Vinatieri 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
NENew England Patriots
OT 9:18FG
AVA. Vinatieri
Points+3
Yard line
BUF 5
Score
12-9
(9:18) 4-A.Vinatieri 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter. Penalty on BUF, Defensive Offside, declined.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Trent Brown · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.58 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
2D. Patten · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.44 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
3Jalen Redmond · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.23 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
4J. Wiggins · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.28 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
5T. Henry · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +0.87 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
6S. Morris · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +0.85 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
7Trent Brown · New England Patriots · Rushing · +0.64 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
8Mike Edwards · New England Patriots · Rushing · +0.63 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Trent Brown — NE · Receiving

Trent Brown posted the highest total EPA (+2.58) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New England Patriots. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.32 EPA per play.

Trent Brown's top snap (+2.47 EPA): (13:23) 12-T.Brady pass to 80-T.Brown to NE 43 for 26 yards (53-K.Newman). Caught over middle at NE 36.

Biggest single play (-4.74 EPA): Arian Smith — (13:26) 32-A.Smith left end to NE 32 for -2 yards (39-R.Hill). FUMBLES (39-R.Hill), RECOVERED by BUF-39-R.Hill at NE 30.

Quarterback report card

A.Van Pelt led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

A.Van Pelt (Buffalo Bills) · 50 dropbacks · 44.0% completion · -0.03 EPA/play · -1.30 total EPA
T. Brady (New England Patriots) · 41 dropbacks · 46.3% completion · -0.10 EPA/play · -4.19 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	New England Patriots	Buffalo Bills
Offensive EPA/play	-0.033	-0.076
Offensive success rate	44.6%	39.2%
Pass EPA/play	-0.102	-0.026
Rush EPA/play	-0.205	-0.226
Defensive EPA/play	+0.076	+0.033
Defensive success rate	60.8%	55.4%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (New England Patriots -0.03, Buffalo Bills -0.08) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

New England Patriots: -0.03 EPA/play (44th percentile vs. 2001 team-game averages)
Buffalo Bills: -0.08 EPA/play (33rd percentile vs. 2001 team-game averages)

Buffalo Bills: 14 drives, -7.39 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
New England Patriots: 13 drives, -2.74 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Field goals

New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q1 4:07)
New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q2 0:58)
Buffalo Bills — S. Graham (Q3 11:19)
Buffalo Bills — S. Graham (Q4 10:40)
Buffalo Bills — S. Graham (Q4 6:20)
New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q4 2:50)
New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (OT 9:18)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: New England Patriots won the period 3–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the BUF 22 (Q1 4:07) — (4:07) 4-A.Vinatieri 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter..

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 3–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the BUF 15 (Q2 0:58) — (:58) 4-A.Vinatieri 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter..

The third quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 3–0. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the NE 23 (Q3 11:19) — (11:19) 17-S.Graham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-68-M.Unutoa, Holder-85-J.Riemersma..

The fourth quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 6–3. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the NE 7 (Q4 10:40) — (10:40) 17-S.Graham 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-68-M.Unutoa, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the NE 23 (Q4 6:20) — (6:20) 17-S.Graham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-68-M.Unutoa, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the BUF 7 (Q4 2:50) — (2:50) 4-A.Vinatieri 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter..

Overtime: New England Patriots won the period 3–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the BUF 5 (OT 9:18) — (9:18) 4-A.Vinatieri 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter. Penalty on BUF, Defensive Offside, declined..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

New England Patriots (OT 9:50) — (9:50) 32-A.Smith left tackle pushed ob at BUF 1 for 40 yards (26-A.Winfield). Play Challenged by BUF and REVERSED. 32-A.Smith left tackle pushed ob at BUF 3 for 38 yards (26-A.Winfield). [WPA +28.7% · EPA +3.13]
New England Patriots (Q3 13:26) — (13:26) 32-A.Smith left end to NE 32 for -2 yards (39-R.Hill). FUMBLES (39-R.Hill), RECOVERED by BUF-39-R.Hill at NE 30. [WPA -19.9% · EPA -4.74]
Buffalo Bills (Q3 5:42) — (5:42) 10-A.Van Pelt pass intended for 85-J.Riemersma INTERCEPTED by 36-L.Milloy at NE 8. 36-L.Milloy pushed ob at NE 29 for 21 yards (75-J.Jennings). Coverage at right side. [WPA -16.8% · EPA -3.75]
Buffalo Bills (Q4 13:02) — (13:02) 10-A.Van Pelt pass to 37-L.Centers to NE 14 for 21 yards (36-L.Milloy). Screen over middle, caught at NE 30. [WPA +15.6% · EPA +2.75]
Buffalo Bills (OT 12:52) — (12:52) 10-A.Van Pelt pass incomplete to 80-E.Moulds (45-O.Smith). [WPA -15.4% · EPA -1.51]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

New England Patriots (Q3 13:26) — (13:26) 32-A.Smith left end to NE 32 for -2 yards (39-R.Hill). FUMBLES (39-R.Hill), RECOVERED by BUF-39-R.Hill at NE 30. [WPA -19.9% · EPA -4.74]
Buffalo Bills (Q3 5:42) — (5:42) 10-A.Van Pelt pass intended for 85-J.Riemersma INTERCEPTED by 36-L.Milloy at NE 8. 36-L.Milloy pushed ob at NE 29 for 21 yards (75-J.Jennings). Coverage at right side. [WPA -16.8% · EPA -3.75]
New England Patriots (Q2 12:38) — (12:38) 12-T.Brady pass intended for 88-T.Glenn INTERCEPTED by 21-C.Watson at BUF 20. 21-C.Watson to BUF 43 for 23 yards (12-T.Brady). Coverage along left sideline. [WPA -13.9% · EPA -3.38]
New England Patriots (OT 9:50) — (9:50) 32-A.Smith left tackle pushed ob at BUF 1 for 40 yards (26-A.Winfield). Play Challenged by BUF and REVERSED. 32-A.Smith left tackle pushed ob at BUF 3 for 38 yards (26-A.Winfield). [WPA +28.7% · EPA +3.13]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q1 4:07 · BUF 22 · Score 3-0
(4:07) 4-A.Vinatieri 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 0:58 · BUF 15 · Score 6-0
(:58) 4-A.Vinatieri 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q3 11:19 · NE 23 · Score 6-3
(11:19) 17-S.Graham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-68-M.Unutoa, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.
Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q4 10:40 · NE 7 · Score 6-6
(10:40) 17-S.Graham 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-68-M.Unutoa, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.
Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q4 6:20 · NE 23 · Score 6-9
(6:20) 17-S.Graham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-68-M.Unutoa, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.
New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 2:50 · BUF 7 · Score 9-9
(2:50) 4-A.Vinatieri 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
New England Patriots FG (+3) — OT 9:18 · BUF 5 · Score 12-9
(9:18) 4-A.Vinatieri 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter. Penalty on BUF, Defensive Offside, declined.

Key takeaways

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

New England Patriots earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
Trent Brown (New England Patriots) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills on 2001-12-16?

The New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills 12-9 in Week 14, 2001.

What was the score by quarter in New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills?

Q1: New England Patriots 3, Buffalo Bills 0; Q2: New England Patriots 3, Buffalo Bills 0; Q3: New England Patriots 0, Buffalo Bills 3; Q4: New England Patriots 3, Buffalo Bills 6; Q5: New England Patriots 3, Buffalo Bills 0; Final: New England Patriots 12, Buffalo Bills 9.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills?

New England Patriots field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q1 4:07, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q2 0:58, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — S. Graham (Q3 11:19, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — S. Graham (Q4 10:40, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — S. Graham (Q4 6:20, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q4 2:50, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — A. Vinatieri (OT 9:18, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills?

A.Van Pelt (Buffalo Bills), 44.0% completion, -0.03 EPA per dropback, -1.30 total passing EPA. T. Brady (New England Patriots), 46.3% completion, -0.10 EPA per dropback, -4.19 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills?

Trent Brown (New England Patriots) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +2.58 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (+2.47 EPA): (13:23) 12-T.Brady pass to 80-T.Brown to NE 43 for 26 yards (53-K.Newman). Caught over middle at NE 36..

Was New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. New England Patriots won 12-9 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

New England Patriots

Entered 8-5 Now 9-5 W

Buffalo Bills

Entered 2-10 Now 2-11 L

New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills: 2001 Week 14 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Patriots

Top fantasy performers · Bills

Quick answer

Game summary