TEAM NOTES
• Kickoff temperature of 14 degrees, tied for seventh-coldest game in team history.
• Patriots end Buffalo's eight-game streak of 30 points.
• Patriots had first successful fake punt attempt since 2017.
• TE Hunter Henry sets new single-season career high in receiving yards.
• QB Drake Maye ties Patriots rookie record with a TD pass in seventh-straight game.
TEAM NOTES
SEVENTH-COLDEST GAME IN PATRIOTS HISTORY (since 1970)
The game time temperature was 14 degrees at kickoff. It was the Patriots' coldest game since the game time temperature at kickoff was 7 degrees with a wind chill of -5 in the 2021 AFC Divisional playoff game at Buffalo on Jan. 15, 2022. It is tied for the seventh-coldest game in team history since 1970.
| Date | Opp. | Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 01/10/04 | Tennessee | 4 Degrees |
| 12/17/89 | at Pittsburg | 5 Degrees |
| 01/15/22 | at Buffalo | 7 Degrees |
| 01/23/05 | at Pittsburg | 11 Degrees |
| 12/31/17 | New York Jets | 13 Degrees |
| 12/11/77 | at Buffalo | 14 Degrees |
| 12/22/24 | 14 Degrees |
PATRIOTS DEFENSE IS FIRST TO HOLD BUFFALO UNDER 30 POINTS AT HOME
The Patriots are the first team to hold Buffalo under 30 points at Highmark Stadium in 2024. The Patriots ended Buffalo's streak of at least 30 points in eight-straight games and all six prior home games.
PATRIOTS RUN FIRST FAKED PUNT SINCE 2017
The Patriots faced a fourth-and-1 from the New England 23-yard line late in the second quarter and ran their first successful fake punt since the 2017 season when S Dell Pettus took a direct snap for a 2-yard gain and a first down. DB Nate Ebner ran 14 yards for a first down on a fake punt vs. Miami on Nov. 16, 2017, on a fourth-and-8 from the New England 27-yard line in the first quarter.
PATRIOTS PRODUCE A SEASON HIGH 28 FIRST DOWNS
The Patriots offense produced a season high of 28 first downs, the most since 32 first downs vs. Jacksonville on Jan, 2, 2022. The Patriots' previous high in 2024 was 26 first downs vs. the LA Rams on Nov. 17.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
HENRY SETS CAREER HIGH IN RECEIVING YARDS
TE Hunter Henry set a career high in receiving yards after finishing with 4 receptions for 39 yards to push his 2024 total to 674 yards receiving. He passed the mark with a 12-yard reception in the first quarter. Henry entered the game against Buffalo with 635 yards. He needed 18 receiving yards to set a new career-high mark. He had 652 receiving yards in 2019 when he played for the L.A. Chargers.
HENRY EXTENDS STREAK WITH A RECEPTION
Henry has a streak of 18-straight games with at least one reception. His streak is the longest streak for a Patriots tight end since Martellus Bennett's streak of 18 games extending from 2016 to 2017. The last game when Henry did not have a reception was on Nov. 26, 2023, at the New York Giants.
RHAMONDRE STEVENSON ADDS TO HIS TD TOTAL
RB Rhamondre Stevenson scored on a 14-yard run in the second quarter for his seventh rushing touchdown of the season, adding to his career-high touchdown total. He had 5 rushing touchdowns in 2021 and 2022. He now has 8 total touchdowns. He caught a 5-yard touchdown pass at Tennessee on Nov. 3.
MAPU GETS SECOND-CAREER PICK
S Marte Mapu intercepted a QB Josh Allen pass in the end zone in the second quarter. It is his second-career interception. He had his first-career interception off QB Patrick Mahomes in the second quarter vs. Kansas City on Dec. 17, 2023.
MAYE THROWS TD IN SEVENTH-STRAIGHT GAME TO TIE PATS ROOKIE RECORD
QB Drake Maye has thrown a touchdown pass in seven-straight games after his 28-yard touchdown pass to WR Kayshon Boutte in the first quarter. Maye tied Jim Plunkett (1971) for the longest such streak by a rookie in franchise history. The NFL rookie record is 13-straight games by Peyton Manning with Indianapolis in 1998 and Baker Mayfield in 2018 with Cleveland.
BOUTTE GETS HIS SECOND 20-PLUS TD
WR Kayshon Boutte culminated the Patriots' first drive of the game with a 28-yard touchdown reception from QB Drake Maye. It is his second-career touchdown and second touchdown pass of at least 20 yards. He caught Maye's first touchdown pass on a 40-yard touchdown reception vs. Houston on Oct. 13.
BOUTTE SETS CAREER-HIGH IN RECEIVING YARDS AND RECEPTIONS
Boutte set a career-high with 5 receptions for 95 receiving yards. His previous high was 59 yards vs. Houston on Oct. 13, 2024. His previous best in receptions was 4 vs. the LA Rams on Nov. 17, 2024.
LINEUP NOTES
• G Cole Strange returned to action for the first time in 2024 after beginning the year on the Reserve/PUP List due to an injury suffered during the 2023 season. He entered the game for the first time on the extra point attempt in the first quarter.
• CB Alex Austin made his first start of the 2024 season and second start of his career. He started for the first time vs. Kansas City on Dec. 17, 2023.
• WR Alex Erickson made his debut with New England after being elevated from the practice squad. He handled kickoff and punt return duties due to the injuries to CB Marcus Jones and RB JaMycal Hasty.
• LB Monty Rice played in his first game with New England after being elevated from the practice squad on the opening kickoff return.
• S Marte Mapu started at safety with S Jaylinn Hawkins due to the injury to S Jabrill Peppers.
