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AFC East foes collide in this week's iteration of "Sunday Night Football."
The Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots have represented the class of the division for the better part of the past 25 years. In fact, the pair have won 22 of the last 23 division titles between them.
They look slated to compete for the crown once more in 2025. Josh Allen (70.2% passing, 964 yards, seven touchdowns to one interception) looks well-equipped to contend for another MVP award. Perhaps Drake Maye (74% passing, 988 yards, seven touchdowns to two interceptions) could join him.
Between Allen and Maye, two of the league's finest passers will be on display under the lights. Those watching -- both in the stands and on television sets across the world -- will not be complaining.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Sunday night's clash between Buffalo and New England. Follow below for highlights, analysis and more from the joust between AFC East powerhouses.
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Bills vs. Patriots score
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Bills vs. Patriots live updates, highlights from 'Sunday Night Football'
(All times Eastern)
9:44 p.m.: Maye is finding his footing as the half nears its close. Dropped a feather into Hunter Henry's lap to breach into the red zone. Now, he slalomed past would-be tacklers to give the Pats a chance to retake the lead.
9:28 p.m.: Allen bursts through the hole and marauds for 19 yards after escaping out of the pocket.
9:18 p.m.: The Pats nearly surrendered another fumble after Antonio Gibson was rocked while returning Prater's kickoff. They recovered the unruly effort in the end. But it cost Gibson, who looks to have suffered some sort of lower body injury on the play.
9:13 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Matt Prater levels the score at three after hitting his target from 31 yards out.
Patriots 3, Bills 3
9:05 p.m.: The Bills are percolating after their early turnovers. A couple lengthy Allen passes has them on the cusp of scoring.
End of first quarter: Patriots 3, Bills 0
9:02 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! New England forced to settle for a field goal after seeing their drive stall out.
Patriots 3, Bills 0
8:57 p.m.: FUMBLE! The Bills turn the ball over again! Robert Spillane jars the ball loose from WR Keon Coleman. The subsequent tumbleweed falls into Jaylinn Hawkins' hands, setting up New England in ideal field position deep in the red one.
another one
— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2025
NEvsBUF on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/CHK4EQVqNd
8:52 p.m.: New England's promising drive ends in ashes as Stefon Diggs sees Maye's delicate pass slip through his grasp.
8:50 p.m.: Neither side has been able to find points in the opening eight or so minutes of action. The ball will trickle on back to New England after a scoreless Bills drive.
8:40 p.m.: FUMBLE! The Bills get the ball back! Rhamondre Stevenson puts the pall on the turd once more after fielding a pass from Drake Maye.
Laser focus by Shaq Thompson to knock it out 🥊
— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2025
NEvsBUF on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/E79AWEmMBl
8:35 p.m.: FUMBLE! Josh Allen coughs up the ball after letting go of the ball on the snap. The Patriots fall on top of the bumbling orb to set themselves up in Bills territory!
A miscommunication leads to a turnover and the Patriots take over in Bills territory
— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2025
NEvsBUF on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/CrlvubsR8z
8:30 p.m.: The Pats saw their subsequent drive fall short of expectations. Here come the Bills' attack!
8:20 p.m.: And we're off! The Patriots will start the game with the ball.
7:50 p.m.: And here's a look at Buffalo's "icy" new threads, cloaked in winter white.
these @BuffaloBills threads are too icy 🧊
— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025
NEvsBUF– Sunday 8:20pm ET on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/UJGLzLVUHC
7:40 p.m.: The stars are starting to find their place atop Highmark Stadium's lush plains. We're about 45 minutes away from the start of Sunday's contest.
James Cook gets set pregame as Bills host Patriots NEXT on Sunday Night Football (on NBC, @peacock and Universo) pic.twitter.com/Kc8rDZtJpB
— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) October 5, 2025
Drake Maye warms up ahead of Patriots-Bills on Sunday Night Football.
— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) October 5, 2025
Live coverage NOW on NBC and @peacock pic.twitter.com/DYwyIjPJws
7:15 p.m.: The Bills and Patriots released their inactive list ahead of tonight's contest. For the Bills, the biggest absentees are Matt Milano and Ed Oliver, both of whom haven't seen the field in weeks. The Patriots will be without LB K'Lavon Chaisson, DT Eric Gregory, guard Caedan Wallace, WR Efton Chism and QB Tommy DeVito.
Where to watch Bills vs. Patriots
Bills vs. Patriots start time
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 5
- Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET
The Bills and Patriots will be the featured 'Sunday Night Football' matchup for Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season. Kickoff from Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, New York is set for 8:20 p.m. ET.
What channel is Bills vs. Patriots on today?
- Date: Sunday, October 5
- TV: NBC
- Live stream: Peacock, Fubo
'Sunday Night Football' will once again air nationally on NBC and be introduced by country music star Carrie Underwood and her iconic "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night."
'Sunday Night Football' between the Bills and the Patriots will also air on Fubo and Peacock. Fubo carries NBC in its channel lineup, and is offering a free trial.
Bills schedule 2025
| Week | Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Result |
| 1 | Sept. 7 | vs. Ravens | 8:20 p.m. | Bills 41, Ravens 40 |
| 2 | Sept. 14 | at Jets | 1 p.m. | Bills 30, Jets 10 |
| 3 | Sept. 18 | vs. Dolphins | 8:15 p.m. | Bills 31, Dolphins 21 |
| 4 | Sept. 28 | vs. Saints | 1 p.m. | Bills 31, Saints 19 |
| 5 | Oct. 5 | vs. Patriots | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 6 | Oct. 13 | at Falcons | 7:15 p.m. | ESPN |
| 7 | BYE | — | — | — |
| 8 | Oct. 26 | at Panthers | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 9 | Nov. 2 | vs. Chiefs | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 10 | Nov. 9 | at Dolphins | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 11 | Nov. 16 | vs. Buccaneers | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 12 | Nov. 20 | at Texans | 8:15 p.m. | Amazon Prime Video |
| 13 | Nov. 30 | at Steelers | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 14 | Dec. 7 | vs. Bengals | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| 15 | Dec. 14 | at Patriots | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 16 | Dec. 21 | at Browns | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 17 | Dec. 28 | vs. Eagles | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| 18 | TBD | vs. Jets | TBD | TBD |
Patriots schedule 2025
| Week | Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Result |
| 1 | Sunday, Sept. 7 | vs. Raiders | 1 p.m. | Raiders 20, Patriots 13 |
| 2 | Sunday, Sept. 14 | at Dolphins | 1 p.m. | Dolphins 33, Patriots 27 |
| 3 | Sunday, Sept. 21 | vs. Steelers | 1 p.m. | Steelers 21, Patriots 14 |
| 4 | Sunday, Sept. 28 | vs. Panthers | 1 p.m. | Patriots 42, Panthers 13 |
| 5 | Sunday, Oct. 5 | at Bills | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 6 | Sunday, Oct. 12 | at Saints | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 7 | Sunday, Oct. 19 | at Titans | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 8 | Sunday, Oct. 26 | vs. Browns | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 9 | Sunday, Nov. 2 | vs. Falcons | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 10 | Sunday, Nov. 9 | at Buccaneers | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 11 | Thursday, Nov. 13 | vs. Jets | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 12 | Sunday, Nov. 23 | at Bengals | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 13 | Monday, Dec. 1 | vs. Giants | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
| 14 | BYE | — | — | — |
| 15 | Sunday, Dec. 14 | vs. Bills | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 16 | Sunday, Dec. 21 | at Ravens | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 17 | Sunday, Dec. 28 | at Jets | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 18 | TBD | vs. Dolphins | TBD | TBD |