Bills 16–23 Patriots: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 18, 2024

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

J. Milton (New England Patriots), 64.7% completion, +17.1% CPOE, +0.36 EPA per dropback, +12.25 total passing EPA. M. Trubisky (Buffalo Bills), 68.2% completion, +6.1% CPOE, +0.22 EPA per dropback, +4.73 total passing EPA.

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

J. Milton (New England Patriots) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +12.25 total EPA on Passing plays. across 34 snaps. Their top snap (-5.72 EPA): (10:22) 19-J.Milton FUMBLES (Aborted) at NE 17, RECOVERED by BUF-56-J.Solomon at NE 16..

Quick answer

Winner: New England Patriots
Final score: New England Patriots 23–16 Buffalo Bills
Halftime: Buffalo Bills 10–14 New England Patriots at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Joe Milton III
Top passer: Joe Milton III
Biggest EPA play: (10:22) 19-J.Milton FUMBLES (Aborted) at NE 17, RECOVERED by BUF-56-J.Solomon at NE 16.
Game date: 2025-01-05

Game summary

The New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills 23–16 on 2025-01-05. Joe Milton III posted a game-high +12.25 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Buffalo Bills	0	10	6	0	0	16
New England Patriots	7	7	3	6	0	23

Scoring Map

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

BUFBuffalo Bills

BUF 1

+1BUF 15

NE 2

+1NE 15

BUF 48

+1BUF 15

+3NE 31

NE 1

+3BUF 23

+3BUF 24

+3BUF 31

NENew England Patriots

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

11 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

NENew England Patriots
Q1 4:28TD
Joe Milton III
Points+6
Yard line
BUF 1
Score
0-6
(4:28) (Shotgun) 19-J.Milton left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. 19-J.Milton 1st NFL TD.
NENew England Patriots
Q1 4:25XP
Joey Slye
Points+1
Yard line
BUF 15
Score
0-7
13-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 12:14TD
Ryan Davis
Points+6
Yard line
NE 2
Score
6-7
(12:14) 11-M.Trubisky pass short right to 22-R.Davis for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 12:09XP
Tyler Bass
Points+1
Yard line
NE 15
Score
7-7
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
NENew England Patriots
Q2 9:22TD
Kayshon Boutte
Points+6
Yard line
BUF 48
Score
7-13
(9:22) (Shotgun) 19-J.Milton pass deep middle to 9-K.Boutte for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 19-Milton 1st NFL TD pass.
NENew England Patriots
Q2 9:10XP
Joey Slye
Points+1
Yard line
BUF 15
Score
7-14
13-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 4:44FG
Tyler Bass
Points+3
Yard line
NE 31
Score
10-14
(4:44) 2-T.Bass 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q3 7:59TD
James Cook III
Points+6
Yard line
NE 1
Score
16-14
(7:59) 4-J.Cook up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
NENew England Patriots
Q3 1:04FG
Joey Slye
Points+3
Yard line
BUF 23
Score
16-17
(1:04) 13-J.Slye 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
NENew England Patriots
Q4 8:58FG
Joey Slye
Points+3
Yard line
BUF 24
Score
16-20
(8:58) 13-J.Slye 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
NENew England Patriots
Q4 2:00FG
Joey Slye
Points+3
Yard line
BUF 31
Score
16-23
(2:00) 13-J.Slye 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Joe Milton III · New England Patriots · Passing · +12.25 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
2Kayshon Boutte · New England Patriots · Receiving · +9.71 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.39 EPA/play
3Mitchell Trubisky · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +4.73 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
4Ryan Davis · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.65 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
5Demario Douglas · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.48 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
6Jaheim Bell · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.49 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.49 EPA/play
7Reggie Gilliam · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +1.22 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.22 EPA/play
8Jerome Baker · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.19 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.19 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

Joe Milton III — NE · Passing

Joe Milton III posted the highest total EPA (+12.25) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New England Patriots. Across 34 counted snaps, they averaged +0.36 EPA per play.

Joe Milton III's top snap (-5.72 EPA): (10:22) 19-J.Milton FUMBLES (Aborted) at NE 17, RECOVERED by BUF-56-J.Solomon at NE 16.

Quarterback report card

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

Joe Milton III (New England Patriots) · 34 dropbacks · 64.7% completion · +17.1% CPOE · +0.36 EPA/play · +12.25 total EPA
Mitchell Trubisky (Buffalo Bills) · 22 dropbacks · 68.2% completion · +6.1% CPOE · +0.22 EPA/play · +4.73 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Buffalo Bills	New England Patriots
Offensive EPA/play	-0.086	+0.004
Offensive success rate	41.0%	43.0%
Pass EPA/play	-0.073	+0.265
Rush EPA/play	-0.103	-0.348
Defensive EPA/play	-0.004	+0.086
Defensive success rate	57.0%	59.0%

Drive & efficiency notes

New England Patriots held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.00 vs -0.09), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Buffalo Bills: -0.09 EPA/play (26th percentile vs. 2024 team-game averages)
New England Patriots: +0.00 EPA/play (46th percentile vs. 2024 team-game averages)

Buffalo Bills: 10 drives, -7.12 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
New England Patriots: 10 drives, +0.28 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 — Joe Milton III (Q1 4:28)
Buffalo Bills — Ryan Davis (Mitchell Trubisky pass) (Q2 12:14)
New England Patriots — Kayshon Boutte (Joe Milton III pass) (Q2 9:22)
Buffalo Bills — James Cook III (Q3 7:59)

Field goals

Buffalo Bills — Tyler Bass (Q2 4:44)
New England Patriots — Joey Slye (Q3 1:04)
New England Patriots — Joey Slye (Q4 8:58)
New England Patriots — Joey Slye (Q4 2:00)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q1 4:28) — (4:28) (Shotgun) 19-J.Milton left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. 19-J.Milton 1st NFL TD.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q1 4:25) — 13-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer..

The second quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 10–7. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NE 2 (Q2 12:14) — (12:14) 11-M.Trubisky pass short right to 22-R.Davis for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q2 12:09) — 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 48 (Q2 9:22) — (9:22) (Shotgun) 19-J.Milton pass deep middle to 9-K.Boutte for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 19-Milton 1st NFL TD pass.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q2 9:10) — 13-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the NE 31 (Q2 4:44) — (4:44) 2-T.Bass 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin..

The third quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 6–3. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q3 7:59) — (7:59) 4-J.Cook up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the BUF 23 (Q3 1:04) — (1:04) 13-J.Slye 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 6–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the BUF 24 (Q4 8:58) — (8:58) 13-J.Slye 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the BUF 31 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 13-J.Slye 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

New England Patriots (Q3 10:22) — (10:22) 19-J.Milton FUMBLES (Aborted) at NE 17, RECOVERED by BUF-56-J.Solomon at NE 16. [WPA -18.6% · EPA -5.72]
Buffalo Bills (Q2 12:14) — (12:14) 11-M.Trubisky pass short right to 22-R.Davis for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.5% · EPA +3.88]
New England Patriots (Q2 9:22) — (9:22) (Shotgun) 19-J.Milton pass deep middle to 9-K.Boutte for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 19-Milton 1st NFL TD pass. [WPA +12.4% · EPA +4.32]
New England Patriots (Q3 4:51) — (4:51) (Shotgun) 19-J.Milton scrambles up the middle to BUF 42 for 9 yards (44-J.Andreessen). Buffalo challenged the first down ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field stands. (Timeou [WPA +10.3% · EPA +1.79]
Buffalo Bills (Q4 7:27) — (7:27) (Shotgun) 14-M.White pass short right to 1-C.Samuel to BUF 48 for 11 yards (35-M.Battle). [WPA +9.6% · EPA +1.54]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

New England Patriots (Q3 10:22) — (10:22) 19-J.Milton FUMBLES (Aborted) at NE 17, RECOVERED by BUF-56-J.Solomon at NE 16. [WPA -18.6% · EPA -5.72]
New England Patriots (Q2 9:22) — (9:22) (Shotgun) 19-J.Milton pass deep middle to 9-K.Boutte for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 19-Milton 1st NFL TD pass. [WPA +12.4% · EPA +4.32]
Buffalo Bills (Q2 12:14) — (12:14) 11-M.Trubisky pass short right to 22-R.Davis for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.5% · EPA +3.88]
Buffalo Bills (Q1 11:50) — (11:50) 11-M.Trubisky FUMBLES (Aborted) at NE 45, and recovers at NE 45. 11-M.Trubisky to NE 45 for no gain (91-D.Wise). [WPA -6.7% · EPA -3.51]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 4:28 · BUF 1 · Score 0-6
(4:28) (Shotgun) 19-J.Milton left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. 19-J.Milton 1st NFL TD.
New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 4:25 · BUF 15 · Score 0-7
13-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 12:14 · NE 2 · Score 6-7
(12:14) 11-M.Trubisky pass short right to 22-R.Davis for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 12:09 · NE 15 · Score 7-7
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 9:22 · BUF 48 · Score 7-13
(9:22) (Shotgun) 19-J.Milton pass deep middle to 9-K.Boutte for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 19-Milton 1st NFL TD pass.
New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 9:10 · BUF 15 · Score 7-14
13-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q2 4:44 · NE 31 · Score 10-14
(4:44) 2-T.Bass 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 7:59 · NE 1 · Score 16-14
(7:59) 4-J.Cook up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 1:04 · BUF 23 · Score 16-17
(1:04) 13-J.Slye 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 8:58 · BUF 24 · Score 16-20
(8:58) 13-J.Slye 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.
New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 2:00 · BUF 31 · Score 16-23
(2:00) 13-J.Slye 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-B.Baringer.

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.
Joe Milton III (New England Patriots) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Joe Milton III (NE) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots on 2025-01-05?

The New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills 23-16 in Week 18, 2024.

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

Q1: Buffalo Bills 0, New England Patriots 7; Q2: Buffalo Bills 10, New England Patriots 7; Q3: Buffalo Bills 6, New England Patriots 3; Q4: Buffalo Bills 0, New England Patriots 6; Final: Buffalo Bills 16, New England Patriots 23.

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

New England Patriots touchdown — J. Milton (Q1 4:28) Buffalo Bills touchdown — R. Davis (M. Trubisky pass) (Q2 12:14) New England Patriots touchdown — K. Boutte (J. Milton pass) (Q2 9:22) Buffalo Bills touchdown — J. Cook (Q3 7:59) Buffalo Bills field goal — T. Bass (Q2 4:44, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — J. Slye (Q3 1:04, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — J. Slye (Q4 8:58, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — J. Slye (Q4 2:00, 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?

Joe Milton III (New England Patriots), 64.7% completion, +17.1% CPOE, +0.36 EPA per dropback, +12.25 total passing EPA. Mitchell Trubisky (Buffalo Bills), 68.2% completion, +6.1% CPOE, +0.22 EPA per dropback, +4.73 total passing EPA.

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

Joe Milton III (New England Patriots) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +12.25 total EPA on Passing plays. across 34 snaps. Their top snap (-5.72 EPA): (10:22) 19-J.Milton FUMBLES (Aborted) at NE 17, RECOVERED by BUF-56-J.Solomon at NE 16..

Was Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots a close game?

Yes — the margin was 7 points. New England Patriots won 23-16 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Buffalo Bills

Entered 13-3 Now 13-4 L

New England Patriots

Entered 3-13 Now 4-13 W

Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots: 2024 Week 18 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Bills

Top fantasy performers · Patriots

Quick answer

Game summary