The Bills return to Sunday Night Football for the second time this season to face the Patriots. The last time these two teams met in a Sunday night game was Nov. 18, 2007.
Heading into Week 5, the Bills and Patriots lead the AFC East with 4-0 and 2-2 records, respectively. Like Buffalo, New England is undefeated in the division. It seeks its second AFC East win while the Bills hope to remain undefeated overall and post a third win in the division. If Buffalo emerges 5-0, it will be the first time it's done so since 1991.
Late in the 2024-25 regular season, the Bills and Patriots split their two-game series. Buffalo won at home in December, 24-21, then fell 23-16 on Jan. 5 at Gillette Stadium when the team rested its starters in Week 18 before the playoffs. The Bills sense that their rival is playing at a higher level this year than last.
"[New England's] a team that's always played at a very high level … These division games are tough anytime you play each other just because you're so familiar with each other," quarterback Josh Allen said. " … it's no different this Sunday."
Here's what we learned about how the Bills are preparing for the matchup as they began their practice week.
Injury updates from first practice of Week 5
Three starters returned to practice Wednesday afternoon as DT Ed Oliver, LB Matt Milano and RT Spencer Brown were all limited participants. Head coach Sean McDermott said all three players are "improving" and the team will continue to monitor their status for Week 5.
"All of them will take on a day by day basis at this point for the week," he said.
Wednesday marked Oliver's first practice appearance since Week 1 and Milano's first practice since Week 2. Brown was able to log a limited practice last Friday but was inactive for Week 4.
McDermott also shared that Buffalo will not open the 21-day practice window for CB Maxwell Hairston, OT Tylan Grable and K Tyler Bass who are all on injured reserve.
LB Dorian Williams missed practice with a knee injury and TE Jackson Hawes was limited (ankle). DE Joey Bosa was limited with a veteran rest day.
Drake Maye is on the rise, but can he keep up with the 2024 MVP?
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is in his second NFL season and the Bills recognize the improvements he's made in New England after his rookie year. So far in 2025, Maye is neck-and-neck with Allen on the stat sheet.
"Obviously, he's understanding the game more, and that just comes with repetition for anybody, especially at the quarterback level," cornerback Christian Benford said.
Maye holds a 74 completion percentage and a 109.4 overall passer rating. Allen currently has a 70.2 completion percentage and a 109.7 passer rating. The 2024 MVP just overrides the two-year player with 1,123 offensive yards and 10 touchdowns to Maye's 1,086 yards and nine scores.
"His mechanics are really good, and to be that big and move the way he does, it's impressive," Allen said.
Maye leads the NFL in completion percentage and also on third and fourth downs with an 83.3 completion percentage for 356 yards. New England's four touchdowns on late downs is tied for second in the league.
"They got some vets on the outside with receivers, got some good running backs. I see [they're] coming along," Benford said. "So, keep making sure we stay tuned to our technique and fundamentals and … make sure we know who [we're] playing against and not just going out there blind."
Overcoming the Patriots defense
One thing to monitor early in the game is the Bills offense getting out to a fast start. The team has scored on the first possession in four consecutive games to begin the season.
Though offensive coordinator Joe Brady hopes to put the ball in as many players' hands as possible, Buffalo will do whatever it needs to win offensively. Allen praised New England's physical secondary led by 2024 second-team All Pro CB Christian Gonzalez.
"Christian Gonzalez and [Carlton] Davis out there, they're really good at what they do. Bigger, physical corners, not afraid to get up to the line of scrimmage and press you," Allen said. "So, again, we [have to] have a good week of practice and game plan extremely well and go out there [and] execute."
With bigger personnel on Buffalo's offense, Allen said it's helped in the first four games to force defenses to show their cards. That will come in handy against two defensive tackles, Christian Barmore and Milton Williams, who rank in the top five in quarterback pressures at the position. Barmore leads the NFL with a 16.1 pressure percentage and 15 pressures.
Highmark Stadium White Out
This is the second AFC East home game for Buffalo this season after it faced Miami in Week 3. With it being a primetime battle, the Bills announced a full-stadium White Out theme as part of their "Cold Front" Rivalries uniform debut.
"We're going to need every ounce, every decibel that we can get, every bit of momentum and energy that we can get from the crowd. They've been so big for us, forcing [a] couple false starts and a couple delay of games," Allen said. "I don't think people realize how big of an impact that can make on a game and it really can change the game at any point. So we're going to need them this week."
The team will match the fans in Highmark Stadium, wearing the "Cold Front" uniforms which feature an all all-white, wintery look.
"The fans better come out in all white," Bedford said. "Bring the noise, bring the juice, bring the energy."
Scroll to see the best photos as the Buffalo Bills prepare for Week 5 of the NFL season at the Buffalo Bills Training Center. This gallery is presented by Wegmans.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Matt Milano (58). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Tre'Davious White (27). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Deone Walker (96). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
O'Cyrus Torrence (64). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ja'Marcus Ingram (46). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Brandon Codrington (29). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Cam Lewis (39). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Terrel Bernard (8), Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitch Wishnowsky (19). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Greg Rousseau (50). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Joey Bosa (97). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Joey Bosa (97). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Tre'Davious White (27). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Shane Buechele (6). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Shane Buechele (6). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Shane Buechele (6), Mitchell Trubisky (11), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Sam Franklin Jr.(28). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitch Wishnowsky (19). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitch Wishnowsky (19). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Brandon Codrington (29). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Brandon Codrington (29). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ja'Marcus Ingram (46). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Brandon Codrington (29). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ja'Marcus Ingram (46). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Tyrell Shavers (14). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Elijah Moore (18). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitchell Trubisky (11), Tyrell Shavers (14). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Shane Buechele (6). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Kristian Wilkerson (82). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Elijah Moore (18). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Kristian Wilkerson (82). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Kristian Wilkerson (82). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Keleki Latu (83), Cam Lewis (39). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ray Davis (22), Jimmy Ciarlo (35). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Sam Franklin Jr.(28). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dawson Knox (88), Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Frank Gore Jr. (20). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Joe Andreessen (44). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Keleki Latu (83). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Cam Lewis (39). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Jimmy Ciarlo (35). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Tyrell Shavers (14). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Bobby Babich. Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dorian Strong (43). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Cam Lewis (39). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Cam Lewis (39). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Cam Lewis (39). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Joe Andreessen (44). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Taylor Rapp (9). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Tre'Davious White (27). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Shaq Thompson (45). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Taylor Rapp (9). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Greg Rousseau (50). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Curtis Samuel (1). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Tre'Davious White (27). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Curtis Samuel (1). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Joshua Palmer (5). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Week 5 Practice, October 1, 2025 at Buffalo Bills Training Center.
