Patriots 23–3 Bills: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 13, 2017

Quick answer

Winner: New England Patriots
Final score: New England Patriots 23–3 Buffalo Bills
Halftime: New England Patriots 9–3 Buffalo Bills at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: R. Gronkowski
Top passer: T. Brady
Biggest EPA play: (7:58) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass short right intended for 25-L.McCoy INTERCEPTED by 55-E.L…
Game date: 2017-12-03

Game summary

The New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills 23–3 on 2017-12-03. R. Gronkowski posted a game-high +11.94 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	—	—	T
New England Patriots	3	6	14	0	0	23
Buffalo Bills	0	3	0	0	0	3

Scoring Map

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

NENew England Patriots

+3BUF 32

+3NE 30

+3BUF 20

BUF 1

BUFBuffalo Bills

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

8 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

NENew England Patriots
Q1 1:35FG
SGS. Gostkowski
Points+3
Yard line
BUF 32
Score
3-0
(1:35) 3-S.Gostkowski 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
NENew England Patriots
Q2 6:30FG
SGS. Gostkowski
Points+3
Yard line
BUF 13
Score
6-0
(6:30) 3-S.Gostkowski 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 3:11FG
SHS. Hauschka
Points+3
Yard line
NE 30
Score
6-3
(3:11) 4-S.Hauschka 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
NENew England Patriots
Q2 0:19FG
SGS. Gostkowski
Points+3
Yard line
BUF 20
Score
9-3
(:19) 3-S.Gostkowski 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
NENew England Patriots
Q3 9:05TD
RBR. Burkhead
Points+6
Yard line
BUF 1
Score
15-3
(9:05) 34-R.Burkhead left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
NENew England Patriots
Q3 9:02XP
SGS. Gostkowski
Points+1
Yard line
BUF 15
Score
16-3
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
NENew England Patriots
Q3 1:16TD
RBR. Burkhead
Points+6
Yard line
BUF 14
Score
22-3
(1:16) 34-R.Burkhead up the middle for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field stands.
NENew England Patriots
Q3 1:08XP
SGS. Gostkowski
Points+1
Yard line
BUF 15
Score
23-3
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1R. Gronkowski · New England Patriots · Receiving · +11.94 total EPA · 11 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
2T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +11.44 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
3R. Burkhead · New England Patriots · Rushing · +4.85 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
4L. McCoy · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +2.84 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
5D. Amendola · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.41 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
6R. Burkhead · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.59 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
7Jeremiah Webb · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +1.46 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
8Damien Lewis · New England Patriots · Rushing · +1.27 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.08 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

R. Gronkowski — NE · Receiving

R. Gronkowski posted the highest total EPA (+11.94) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New England Patriots. Across 11 counted snaps, they averaged +1.09 EPA per play.

R. Gronkowski's top snap (+2.76 EPA): (13:08) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 87-R.Gronkowski to NE 48 for 19 yards (23-M.Hyde; 52-P.Brown). BUF-24-L.Johnson was injured during the play. His return is Questionable. Caught at NE 41, slanting to middle

Biggest single play (-5.27 EPA): Tyrod Taylor — (7:58) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass short right intended for 25-L.McCoy INTERCEPTED by 55-E.Lee [97-A.Branch] at NE 1. 55-E.Lee to NE 9 for 8 yards (79-J.Mills).

Quarterback report card

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

T. Brady (New England Patriots) · 34 dropbacks · 61.8% completion · +5.3% CPOE · +0.34 EPA/play · +11.44 total EPA
Tyrod Taylor (Buffalo Bills) · 26 dropbacks · 34.6% completion · -14.2% CPOE · -0.40 EPA/play · -10.51 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	New England Patriots	Buffalo Bills
Offensive EPA/play	+0.122	-0.190
Offensive success rate	46.4%	33.7%
Pass EPA/play	+0.336	-0.476
Rush EPA/play	+0.115	+0.242
Defensive EPA/play	+0.190	-0.122
Defensive success rate	66.3%	53.6%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, New England Patriots generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.12 vs -0.19), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

New England Patriots: +0.12 EPA/play (83rd percentile vs. 2017 team-game averages)
Buffalo Bills: -0.19 EPA/play (16th percentile vs. 2017 team-game averages)

Buffalo Bills: 10 drives, -15.79 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
New England Patriots: 10 drives, +10.22 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

New England Patriots — R. Burkhead (Q3 9:05)
New England Patriots — R. Burkhead (Q3 1:16)

Field goals

New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q1 1:35)
New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q2 6:30)
Buffalo Bills — S. Hauschka (Q2 3:11)
New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q2 0:19)

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 32 (Q1 1:35) — (1:35) 3-S.Gostkowski 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen..

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 6–3. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the BUF 13 (Q2 6:30) — (6:30) 3-S.Gostkowski 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the NE 30 (Q2 3:11) — (3:11) 4-S.Hauschka 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the BUF 20 (Q2 0:19) — (:19) 3-S.Gostkowski 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen..

The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q3 9:05) — (9:05) 34-R.Burkhead left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q3 9:02) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the BUF 14 (Q3 1:16); New England Patriots added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q3 1:08) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Buffalo Bills (Q2) — End of half - 2.20 pm [WPA -48.5% · EPA -1.30]
Buffalo Bills (Q2 0:10) — (:10) (Shotgun) 39-T.Cadet up the middle to BUF 30 for 5 yards (70-A.Butler, 55-E.Lee). [WPA +47.3% · EPA +0.58]
Buffalo Bills (Q1 7:58) — (7:58) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass short right intended for 25-L.McCoy INTERCEPTED by 55-E.Lee [97-A.Branch] at NE 1. 55-E.Lee to NE 9 for 8 yards (79-J.Mills). [WPA -15.5% · EPA -5.27]
New England Patriots (Q1 3:18) — (3:18) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 80-D.Amendola pushed ob at BUF 31 for 27 yards (23-M.Hyde). Caught along sideline at BUF 31. [WPA +9.5% · EPA +2.83]
Buffalo Bills (Q1 0:06) — (:06) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor scrambles right end pushed ob at BUF 38 for 18 yards (53-K.Van Noy). [WPA +8.7% · EPA +2.70]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Buffalo Bills (Q1 7:58) — (7:58) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass short right intended for 25-L.McCoy INTERCEPTED by 55-E.Lee [97-A.Branch] at NE 1. 55-E.Lee to NE 9 for 8 yards (79-J.Mills). [WPA -15.5% · EPA -5.27]
Buffalo Bills (Q4 1:05) — (1:05) (Shotgun) 2-N.Peterman pass incomplete short middle to 11-Z.Jones (25-E.Rowe) [91-D.Wise]. Receiver and coverage at BUF 28. [WPA -0.0% · EPA -3.65]
New England Patriots (Q4 0:36) — (:36) 2-B.Hoyer kneels to BUF 21 for -1 yards. [EPA -3.35]
Buffalo Bills (Q3 6:11) — (6:11) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor sacked at BUF 18 for -20 yards (sack split by 53-K.Van Noy and 45-D.Harris). Penalty on BUF-62-V.Ducasse, Offensive Holding, declined. [WPA -5.4% · EPA -3.21]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q1 1:35 · BUF 32 · Score 3-0
(1:35) 3-S.Gostkowski 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 6:30 · BUF 13 · Score 6-0
(6:30) 3-S.Gostkowski 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q2 3:11 · NE 30 · Score 6-3
(3:11) 4-S.Hauschka 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 0:19 · BUF 20 · Score 9-3
(:19) 3-S.Gostkowski 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 9:05 · BUF 1 · Score 15-3
(9:05) 34-R.Burkhead left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 9:02 · BUF 15 · Score 16-3
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 1:16 · BUF 14 · Score 22-3
(1:16) 34-R.Burkhead up the middle for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field stands.
New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 1:08 · BUF 15 · Score 23-3
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.

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.
R. Gronkowski (New England Patriots) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
T. Brady (NE) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Tyrod Taylor (BUF) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills on 2017-12-03?

The New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills 23-3 in Week 13, 2017.

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 6, Buffalo Bills 3; Q3: New England Patriots 14, Buffalo Bills 0; Final: New England Patriots 23, Buffalo Bills 3.

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

New England Patriots touchdown — R. Burkhead (Q3 9:05) New England Patriots touchdown — R. Burkhead (Q3 1:16) New England Patriots field goal — S. Gostkowski (Q1 1:35, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — S. Gostkowski (Q2 6:30, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — S. Hauschka (Q2 3:11, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — S. Gostkowski (Q2 0:19, 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?

T. Brady (New England Patriots), 61.8% completion, +5.3% CPOE, +0.34 EPA per dropback, +11.44 total passing EPA. Tyrod Taylor (Buffalo Bills), 34.6% completion, -14.2% CPOE, -0.40 EPA per dropback, -10.51 total passing EPA.

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

R. Gronkowski (New England Patriots) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +11.94 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 11 snaps. Their top snap (+2.76 EPA): (13:08) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 87-R.Gronkowski to NE 48 for 19 yards (23-M.Hyde; 52-P.Brown). BUF-24-L.Johnson was injured during the play. His return is Questiona.

Season records after this game

New England Patriots

Entered 9-2 Now 10-2 W

Buffalo Bills

Entered 6-5 Now 6-6 L

New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills: 2017 Week 13 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Patriots

Top fantasy performers · Bills

Quick answer

Game summary