Patriots 21–27 Bills: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 17, 2023

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

J. Allen (Buffalo Bills), 42.9% completion, -6.9% CPOE, -0.10 EPA per dropback, -3.40 total passing EPA. B. Zappe (New England Patriots), 51.6% completion, +1.8% CPOE, -0.42 EPA per dropback, -12.91 total passing EPA.

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

K. Harris (New England Patriots) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +5.01 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 2 snaps. Their top snap (+3.69 EPA): (10:43) 4-B.Zappe pass short right to 36-K.Harris to BUF 17 for 48 yards (47-C.Benford)..

Quick answer

Winner: Buffalo Bills
Final score: Buffalo Bills 27–21 New England Patriots
Halftime: New England Patriots 14–20 Buffalo Bills at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Kevin Harris
Top passer: Jonathan Allen
Biggest EPA play: (12:47) (Shotgun) 4-B.Zappe pass short left intended for 83-J.Reagor INTERCEPTED by 31-R.D…
Game date: 2023-12-31

Game summary

The Buffalo Bills beat the New England Patriots 27–21 on 2023-12-31. Kevin Harris posted a game-high +5.01 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 20 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
New England Patriots	7	7	0	7	0	21
Buffalo Bills	13	7	7	0	0	27

Scoring Map

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

NENew England Patriots

BUF 35

BUF 66

BUF 6

BUFBuffalo Bills

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

14 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

NENew England Patriots
Q1 15:00TD
Jalen Reagor
Points+6
Yard line
BUF 35
Score
6-0
2-T.Bass kicks 63 yards from BUF 35 to NE 2. 83-J.Reagor for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
NENew England Patriots
Q1 14:48XP
Chad Ryland
Points+1
Yard line
BUF 15
Score
7-0
37-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q1 12:10FG
Tyler Bass
Points+3
Yard line
NE 17
Score
7-3
(12:10) 2-T.Bass 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q1 6:40TD
Jonathan Allen
Points+6
Yard line
NE 1
Score
7-9
(6:40) 17-J.Allen left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q1 6:37XP
Tyler Bass
Points+1
Yard line
NE 15
Score
7-10
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q1 2:19FG
Tyler Bass
Points+3
Yard line
NE 6
Score
7-13
(2:19) 2-T.Bass 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 12:47TD
Rasul Douglas
Points+6
Yard line
BUF 66
Score
7-19
(12:47) (Shotgun) 4-B.Zappe pass short left intended for 83-J.Reagor INTERCEPTED by 31-R.Douglas at NE 40. 31-R.Douglas for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 12:36XP
Tyler Bass
Points+1
Yard line
NE 15
Score
7-20
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
NENew England Patriots
Q2 9:51TD
Bailey Zappe
Points+6
Yard line
BUF 17
Score
13-20
(9:51) 4-B.Zappe scrambles left tackle for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
NENew England Patriots
Q2 9:44XP
Chad Ryland
Points+1
Yard line
BUF 15
Score
14-20
37-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q3 10:45TD
Jonathan Allen
Points+6
Yard line
NE 1
Score
14-26
(10:45) 17-J.Allen left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q3 10:42XP
Tyler Bass
Points+1
Yard line
NE 15
Score
14-27
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
NENew England Patriots
Q4 11:05TD
Ezekiel Elliott
Points+6
Yard line
BUF 6
Score
20-27
(11:05) 15-E.Elliott right guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
NENew England Patriots
Q4 11:01XP
Chad Ryland
Points+1
Yard line
BUF 15
Score
21-27
37-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Kevin Harris · New England Patriots · Receiving · +5.01 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.51 EPA/play
2Khalil Shakir · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +4.56 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
3Jonathan Allen · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +4.06 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
4Dalton Kincaid · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +1.41 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
5Demario Douglas · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.11 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
6Stefon Diggs · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +0.87 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
7Gabe Davis · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +0.87 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
8Khalil Shakir · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +0.54 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.54 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

Kevin Harris — NE · Receiving

Kevin Harris posted the highest total EPA (+5.01) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New England Patriots. Across 2 counted snaps, they averaged +2.51 EPA per play.

Kevin Harris's top snap (+3.69 EPA): (10:43) 4-B.Zappe pass short right to 36-K.Harris to BUF 17 for 48 yards (47-C.Benford).

Biggest single play (-7.00 EPA): Bailey Zappe — (12:47) (Shotgun) 4-B.Zappe pass short left intended for 83-J.Reagor INTERCEPTED by 31-R.Douglas at NE 40. 31-R.Douglas for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

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

Jonathan Allen (Buffalo Bills) · 35 dropbacks · 42.9% completion · -6.9% CPOE · -0.10 EPA/play · -3.40 total EPA
Bailey Zappe (New England Patriots) · 31 dropbacks · 51.6% completion · +1.8% CPOE · -0.42 EPA/play · -12.91 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	New England Patriots	Buffalo Bills
Offensive EPA/play	-0.196	-0.089
Offensive success rate	36.2%	47.7%
Pass EPA/play	-0.416	-0.097
Rush EPA/play	-0.085	+0.003
Defensive EPA/play	+0.089	+0.196
Defensive success rate	52.3%	63.8%

Drive & efficiency notes

Buffalo Bills held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.09 vs -0.20), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

New England Patriots: -0.20 EPA/play (13th percentile vs. 2023 team-game averages)
Buffalo Bills: -0.09 EPA/play (35th percentile vs. 2023 team-game averages)

Buffalo Bills: 13 drives, -7.68 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
New England Patriots: 13 drives, -13.51 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

New England Patriots — Jalen Reagor (Q1 15:00)
Buffalo Bills — Jonathan Allen (Q1 6:40)
Buffalo Bills — Rasul Douglas (Q2 12:47)
New England Patriots — Bailey Zappe (Q2 9:51)
Buffalo Bills — Jonathan Allen (Q3 10:45)
New England Patriots — Ezekiel Elliott (Q4 11:05)

Field goals

Buffalo Bills — Tyler Bass (Q1 12:10)
Buffalo Bills — Tyler Bass (Q1 2:19)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 13–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the BUF 35 (Q1 15:00) — 2-T.Bass kicks 63 yards from BUF 35 to NE 2. 83-J.Reagor for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q1 14:48) — 37-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the NE 17 (Q1 12:10) — (12:10) 2-T.Bass 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q1 6:40) — (6:40) 17-J.Allen left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q1 6:37) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the NE 6 (Q1 2:19) — (2:19) 2-T.Bass 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the BUF 66 (Q2 12:47); Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q2 12:36) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the BUF 17 (Q2 9:51) — (9:51) 4-B.Zappe scrambles left tackle for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q2 9:44) — 37-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer..

The third quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–0. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q3 10:45) — (10:45) 17-J.Allen left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q3 10:42) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the BUF 6 (Q4 11:05) — (11:05) 15-E.Elliott right guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q4 11:01) — 37-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

New England Patriots (Q1 15:00) — 2-T.Bass kicks 63 yards from BUF 35 to NE 2. 83-J.Reagor for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +24.1% · EPA +6.23]
New England Patriots (Q1 8:41) — (8:41) (Shotgun) 4-B.Zappe pass short left intended for 1-D.Parker INTERCEPTED by 31-R.Douglas at NE 24. 31-R.Douglas to NE 14 for 10 yards (86-P.Brown). [WPA -15.5% · EPA -5.43]
New England Patriots (Q1 13:06) — (13:06) (Shotgun) 4-B.Zappe pass short left intended for 88-M.Gesicki INTERCEPTED by 91-E.Oliver (31-R.Douglas) at NE 21. 91-E.Oliver to NE 21 for no gain. [WPA -10.9% · EPA -5.25]
New England Patriots (Q2 12:47) — (12:47) (Shotgun) 4-B.Zappe pass short left intended for 83-J.Reagor INTERCEPTED by 31-R.Douglas at NE 40. 31-R.Douglas for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -10.5% · EPA -7.00]
New England Patriots (Q1 5:57) — (5:57) (Shotgun) 4-B.Zappe pass short left to 86-P.Brown to NE 30 for 5 yards (47-C.Benford). FUMBLES (47-C.Benford), RECOVERED by BUF-47-C.Benford at NE 30. 47-C.Benford to NE 30 for no gain (86-P.Br [WPA -10.2% · EPA -4.43]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

New England Patriots (Q2 12:47) — (12:47) (Shotgun) 4-B.Zappe pass short left intended for 83-J.Reagor INTERCEPTED by 31-R.Douglas at NE 40. 31-R.Douglas for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -10.5% · EPA -7.00]
New England Patriots (Q1 15:00) — 2-T.Bass kicks 63 yards from BUF 35 to NE 2. 83-J.Reagor for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +24.1% · EPA +6.23]
New England Patriots (Q1 8:41) — (8:41) (Shotgun) 4-B.Zappe pass short left intended for 1-D.Parker INTERCEPTED by 31-R.Douglas at NE 24. 31-R.Douglas to NE 14 for 10 yards (86-P.Brown). [WPA -15.5% · EPA -5.43]
New England Patriots (Q1 13:06) — (13:06) (Shotgun) 4-B.Zappe pass short left intended for 88-M.Gesicki INTERCEPTED by 91-E.Oliver (31-R.Douglas) at NE 21. 91-E.Oliver to NE 21 for no gain. [WPA -10.9% · EPA -5.25]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 15:00 · BUF 35 · Score 6-0
2-T.Bass kicks 63 yards from BUF 35 to NE 2. 83-J.Reagor for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 14:48 · BUF 15 · Score 7-0
37-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q1 12:10 · NE 17 · Score 7-3
(12:10) 2-T.Bass 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 6:40 · NE 1 · Score 7-9
(6:40) 17-J.Allen left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 6:37 · NE 15 · Score 7-10
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q1 2:19 · NE 6 · Score 7-13
(2:19) 2-T.Bass 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 12:47 · BUF 66 · Score 7-19
(12:47) (Shotgun) 4-B.Zappe pass short left intended for 83-J.Reagor INTERCEPTED by 31-R.Douglas at NE 40. 31-R.Douglas for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 12:36 · NE 15 · Score 7-20
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 9:51 · BUF 17 · Score 13-20
(9:51) 4-B.Zappe scrambles left tackle for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 9:44 · BUF 15 · Score 14-20
37-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 10:45 · NE 1 · Score 14-26
(10:45) 17-J.Allen left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 10:42 · NE 15 · Score 14-27
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 11:05 · BUF 6 · Score 20-27
(11:05) 15-E.Elliott right guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 11:01 · BUF 15 · Score 21-27
37-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.

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.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
Kevin Harris (New England Patriots) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Jonathan Allen (BUF) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills on 2023-12-31?

The Buffalo Bills beat the New England Patriots 27-21 in Week 17, 2023.

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

Q1: New England Patriots 7, Buffalo Bills 13; Q2: New England Patriots 7, Buffalo Bills 7; Q3: New England Patriots 0, Buffalo Bills 7; Q4: New England Patriots 7, Buffalo Bills 0; Final: New England Patriots 21, Buffalo Bills 27.

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

New England Patriots touchdown — J. Reagor (Q1 15:00) Buffalo Bills touchdown — J. Allen (Q1 6:40) Buffalo Bills touchdown — R. Douglas (Q2 12:47) New England Patriots touchdown — B. Zappe (Q2 9:51) Buffalo Bills touchdown — J. Allen (Q3 10:45) New England Patriots touchdown — E. Elliott (Q4 11:05) Buffalo Bills field goal — T. Bass (Q1 12:10, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — T. Bass (Q1 2:19, 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?

Jonathan Allen (Buffalo Bills), 42.9% completion, -6.9% CPOE, -0.10 EPA per dropback, -3.40 total passing EPA. Bailey Zappe (New England Patriots), 51.6% completion, +1.8% CPOE, -0.42 EPA per dropback, -12.91 total passing EPA.

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

Kevin Harris (New England Patriots) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +5.01 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 2 snaps. Their top snap (+3.69 EPA): (10:43) 4-B.Zappe pass short right to 36-K.Harris to BUF 17 for 48 yards (47-C.Benford)..

Was New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills a close game?

Yes — the margin was 6 points. Buffalo Bills won 27-21 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

New England Patriots

Entered 4-11 Now 4-12 L

Buffalo Bills

Entered 9-6 Now 10-6 W

New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills: 2023 Week 17 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Patriots

Top fantasy performers · Bills

Quick answer

Game summary