Drake Maye rebounds as Patriots hand Bills first defeat - ESPN

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Quarterback Drake Maye snapped out of his early-season slide with a clutch performance as the New England Patriots upset the Buffalo Bills 29-26 at Highmark Stadium in a result that coach Mike Vrabel highlighted as critical for the defending AFC champions.

«It gets us back in the race,» Vrabel said after his team overcame a 26-21 fourth-quarter deficit with Maye leading a 73-yard touchdown drive and safety Craig Woodson intercepting Josh Allen to help close it out.

«Josh is unbelievable, but I felt like Drake went toe-to-toe with him.»

The Patriots (2-2) closed the gap with the Bills (3-1) in the AFC East. Maye finished with 22-of-37 passing for 269 yards, three touchdowns and one interception and had one lost fumble. He added 54 rushing yards on eight carries.

Maye was given a game ball by Vrabel in the locker room after the game.

«We definitely have to build on it. This is relieving a little bit,» said a smiling Maye, who exhaled in that moment.

Maye entered Sunday having thrown just one touchdown pass and six interceptions.

After the game, Vrabel saluted Maye's response to adversity — both in the game and in the big picture with his slow start to the year.

«I thought he just competed today,» Vrabel said. «Whether it was a bad snap or dropping the ball — whatever it may have been — to come back and really focus on what he needed to do. Scrambling. Being decisive. Using his legs. Being accurate.

»I'm happy for him, I'm proud of him. He deserves all the credit. However things have been, the only thing that matters is what we're going to do the next opportunity we get. Sometimes that's hard for everybody to understand, but I think he really took that to heart."

In addition to Maye, Vrabel awarded game