Bills 17–9 Patriots: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 17, 2014

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

R. Woods (Buffalo Bills) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +4.59 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 4 snaps.

Quick answer

Winner: Buffalo Bills
Final score: Buffalo Bills 17–9 New England Patriots
Halftime: Buffalo Bills 17–6 New England Patriots at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Robert Woods
Top passer: K. Orton
Biggest EPA play: (8:43) (Shotgun) 18-K.Orton sacked at BUF 44 for -6 yards (91-J.Collins). FUMBLES (91-J.Co…
Game date: 2014-12-28

Game summary

The Buffalo Bills beat the New England Patriots 17–9 on 2014-12-28. Robert Woods posted a game-high +4.59 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	—	—	T
Buffalo Bills	7	10	0	0	0	17
New England Patriots	3	3	3	0	0	9

Scoring Map

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

BUFBuffalo Bills

+3BUF 6

+3BUF 26

+3NE 30

+3BUF 17

NENew England Patriots

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

8 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

BUFBuffalo Bills
Q1 12:03TD
Robert Woods
Points+6
Yard line
NE 6
Score
6-0
(12:03) (Shotgun) 18-K.Orton pass short middle to 10-R.Woods for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q1 11:59XP
DCD. Carpenter
Points+1
Yard line
NE 2
Score
7-0
2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
NENew England Patriots
Q1 3:05FG
SGS. Gostkowski
Points+3
Yard line
BUF 6
Score
7-3
(3:05) 3-S.Gostkowski 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 10:40TD
ADA. Dixon
Points+6
Yard line
NE 1
Score
13-3
(10:40) 75-C.Hairston reported in as eligible. 26-A.Dixon right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 10:38XP
DCD. Carpenter
Points+1
Yard line
NE 2
Score
14-3
2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
NENew England Patriots
Q2 5:12FG
SGS. Gostkowski
Points+3
Yard line
BUF 26
Score
14-6
(5:12) 3-S.Gostkowski 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 2:19FG
DCD. Carpenter
Points+3
Yard line
NE 30
Score
17-6
(2:19) 2-D.Carpenter 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
NENew England Patriots
Q3 0:41FG
SGS. Gostkowski
Points+3
Yard line
BUF 17
Score
17-9
(:41) 3-S.Gostkowski 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Robert Woods · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +4.59 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.15 EPA/play
2K. Orton · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +3.86 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
3B. LaFell · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.09 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
4Sean Chandler · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.03 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.03 EPA/play
5M. Gray · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +1.98 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
6S. Watkins · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +1.83 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
7Lecitus Smith · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +1.79 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.79 EPA/play
8B. Tyms · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.40 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.23 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

Robert Woods — BUF · Receiving

Robert Woods posted the highest total EPA (+4.59) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Buffalo Bills. Across 4 counted snaps, they averaged +1.15 EPA per play.

Biggest single play (-5.03 EPA): K. Orton — (8:43) (Shotgun) 18-K.Orton sacked at BUF 44 for -6 yards (91-J.Collins). FUMBLES (91-J.Collins) [91-J.Collins], RECOVERED by NE-91-J.Collins at BUF 44. 91-J.Collins to BUF 44 for no gain (70-E.Wood).

Quarterback report card

K. Orton led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

K. Orton (Buffalo Bills) · 26 dropbacks · 61.5% completion · +2.6% CPOE · +0.15 EPA/play · +3.86 total EPA
Jimmy Garoppolo (New England Patriots) · 25 dropbacks · 40.0% completion · -8.0% CPOE · -0.21 EPA/play · -5.20 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Buffalo Bills	New England Patriots
Offensive EPA/play	+0.008	-0.127
Offensive success rate	55.4%	35.9%
Pass EPA/play	+0.149	-0.172
Rush EPA/play	-0.046	-0.147
Defensive EPA/play	+0.127	-0.008
Defensive success rate	64.1%	44.6%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Buffalo Bills generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.13), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Buffalo Bills: +0.01 EPA/play (56th percentile vs. 2014 team-game averages)
New England Patriots: -0.13 EPA/play (26th percentile vs. 2014 team-game averages)

Buffalo Bills: 10 drives, +0.56 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
New England Patriots: 10 drives, -9.92 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Buffalo Bills — Robert Woods (K. Orton pass) (Q1 12:03)
Buffalo Bills — A. Dixon (Q2 10:40)

Field goals

New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q1 3:05)
New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q2 5:12)
Buffalo Bills — D. Carpenter (Q2 2:19)
New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q3 0:41)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–3. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NE 6 (Q1 12:03) — (12:03) (Shotgun) 18-K.Orton pass short middle to 10-R.Woods for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 11:59) — 2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the BUF 6 (Q1 3:05) — (3:05) 3-S.Gostkowski 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen..

The second quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 10–3. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q2 10:40) — (10:40) 75-C.Hairston reported in as eligible. 26-A.Dixon right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 10:38) — 2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the BUF 26 (Q2 5:12) — (5:12) 3-S.Gostkowski 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the NE 30 (Q2 2:19) — (2:19) 2-D.Carpenter 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt..

The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 3–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the BUF 17 (Q3 0:41) — (:41) 3-S.Gostkowski 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Buffalo Bills (Q1 13:21) — (13:21) 18-K.Orton pass deep middle to 14-S.Watkins to NE 10 for 43 yards (32-D.McCourty). [WPA +13.2% · EPA +2.88]
Buffalo Bills (Q2 8:43) — (8:43) (Shotgun) 18-K.Orton sacked at BUF 44 for -6 yards (91-J.Collins). FUMBLES (91-J.Collins) [91-J.Collins], RECOVERED by NE-91-J.Collins at BUF 44. 91-J.Collins to BUF 44 for no gain (70-E.Wood). [WPA -10.0% · EPA -5.03]
New England Patriots (Q2 7:14) — (7:14) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 34-S.Vereen pushed ob at BUF 26 for 9 yards (53-N.Bradham). [WPA +8.6% · EPA +1.99]
New England Patriots (Q3 5:57) — (5:57) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo left end to BUF 14 for -1 yards (33-R.Brooks). [WPA -8.5% · EPA -3.60]
New England Patriots (Q4 7:34) — (7:34) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass incomplete short left to 81-T.Wright. PENALTY on BUF-33-R.Brooks, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at BUF 45 - No Play. [WPA +6.9% · EPA +2.32]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Buffalo Bills (Q2 8:43) — (8:43) (Shotgun) 18-K.Orton sacked at BUF 44 for -6 yards (91-J.Collins). FUMBLES (91-J.Collins) [91-J.Collins], RECOVERED by NE-91-J.Collins at BUF 44. 91-J.Collins to BUF 44 for no gain (70-E.Wood). [WPA -10.0% · EPA -5.03]
New England Patriots (Q3 5:57) — (5:57) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo left end to BUF 14 for -1 yards (33-R.Brooks). [WPA -8.5% · EPA -3.60]
Buffalo Bills (Q1 13:21) — (13:21) 18-K.Orton pass deep middle to 14-S.Watkins to NE 10 for 43 yards (32-D.McCourty). [WPA +13.2% · EPA +2.88]
New England Patriots (Q1 7:19) — (7:19) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 19-B.LaFell to BUF 35 for 27 yards (23-A.Williams). [WPA +6.2% · EPA +2.60]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 12:03 · NE 6 · Score 6-0
(12:03) (Shotgun) 18-K.Orton pass short middle to 10-R.Woods for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 11:59 · NE 2 · Score 7-0
2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q1 3:05 · BUF 6 · Score 7-3
(3:05) 3-S.Gostkowski 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 10:40 · NE 1 · Score 13-3
(10:40) 75-C.Hairston reported in as eligible. 26-A.Dixon right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 10:38 · NE 2 · Score 14-3
2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 5:12 · BUF 26 · Score 14-6
(5:12) 3-S.Gostkowski 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q2 2:19 · NE 30 · Score 17-6
(2:19) 2-D.Carpenter 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 0:41 · BUF 17 · Score 17-9
(:41) 3-S.Gostkowski 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.

Key takeaways

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

Buffalo Bills earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
Robert Woods (Buffalo Bills) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Jimmy Garoppolo (NE) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots on 2014-12-28?

The Buffalo Bills beat the New England Patriots 17-9 in Week 17, 2014.

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

Q1: Buffalo Bills 7, New England Patriots 3; Q2: Buffalo Bills 10, New England Patriots 3; Q3: Buffalo Bills 0, New England Patriots 3; Final: Buffalo Bills 17, New England Patriots 9.

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

Buffalo Bills touchdown — R. Woods (K. Orton pass) (Q1 12:03) Buffalo Bills touchdown — A. Dixon (Q2 10:40) New England Patriots field goal — S. Gostkowski (Q1 3:05, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — S. Gostkowski (Q2 5:12, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — D. Carpenter (Q2 2:19, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — S. Gostkowski (Q3 0:41, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

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

K. Orton (Buffalo Bills), 61.5% completion, +2.6% CPOE, +0.15 EPA per dropback, +3.86 total passing EPA. Jimmy Garoppolo (New England Patriots), 40.0% completion, -8.0% CPOE, -0.21 EPA per dropback, -5.20 total passing EPA.

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

Robert Woods (Buffalo Bills) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +4.59 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 4 snaps.

Season records after this game

Buffalo Bills

Entered 8-7 Now 9-7 W

New England Patriots

Entered 12-3 Now 12-4 L

Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots: 2014 Week 17 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Bills

Top fantasy performers · Patriots

Quick answer

Game summary