New England 28 Buffalo 27

John Stephens

The Bills come to town in another early season rivalry game. either team does much on their opening drives, and New England thanks to a bad punt begins their 2nd drive on the Buffalo 48. They drive to the 22 but then a holding penalty gives them a 1st and 20 and Flutie then throws a horrible int that Buffalo returns to the NE 45, but the Bills can only get to the 25 and settle for a Norwood FG and an early 3-0 lead. The Patriots then drive the field on large runs by Stephens and Perryman before Stephens takes the rock 9 yards and a rare Patriot lead 7-3 after 1 Q. in the 2nd the new England turnovers continue as Fryar fumbles the ball away for the 3rd time in 3 games on punt returns! Buffalo quickly converts in 2 plays as Kelly hits Metzelaars from 17 yards out and Buffalo takes a 10-7 lead into the locker room. 
Buffalo takes the 2nd half kick off and methodically drive to the 9 yard line but once again the patriot D stiffens and only allows a FG, Buffalo 13-7.  Then finally New England produces on special teams as martin takes the KO 95 yards to the house and NE has a slim 14-13 lead.  Then things get even odder as Kelly on 4th and 1 (according to the game play by play) is chased by Rembert falling backwards tosses the ball 71+ yards to Andre Reed waiting for the ball in the end zone!!  Yes about an 80+ yard pass while backpedaling and on target!!  Buffalo goes back up 20-14.  The fans in new England go quiet, and then begin to bow to the amazing kelly!! A fired up Doug Flutie rallies the Patriots again and hits Cedric jones for 23  yard TD , and the see saw battle continues. The Bills drive again but Thomas fumbles and the pats recover. Sensing blood Flutie again engineers a TD drive hitting Craig James for a 14 yard TD and an 8 point lead with 9 minutes remaining. Buffalo does not panic and drive the field to pull within 1 point with just under 3 minutes to play.  buffalo surprises NE and kicks deep.  NE is able to get 1 1st down and burn up Buffalo's timeouts, but give buffalo the ball back on the Buffalo 18 with 1:42 to play.  buffalo gets a 1st down on 2 plays but use up over a minute. NE decides to blitz the next play and with Tippett in Kelly's face he tosses the ball up but Raymond Claiborne picks it off and NE has it's 1st win of the season. john Stephens earns player of the game with 137 yards and 1 TD on 24 carries and getting 8 1st downs.