Rookie quarterback Drake Maye connected with wide receiver Kayshon Boutte on a timely 28-yard touchdown at 12:03 of the first quarter to give the visiting New England Patriots an early 7-0 lead in their matchup against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Sunday.

This throw was INCREDIBLE 🎯@DrakeMaye2 | @KayshonBoutte1

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/gZogJ4XTwh

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 22, 2024

It was Maye’s 13th touchdown pass of the season and it was also his seventh consecutive game with at least one touchdown pass, tying Jim Plunkett the single-season franchise record as a rookie quarterback.

The Patriots received the opening kickoff and Maye capped a six-play, 58-yard first drive by hitting Boutte with a throw from close range near the front right pylon.

Boutte was narrowly covered by cornerback Kaiir Elam, but flashed his hands at the last moment to catch the perfectly thrown ball from Maye, who was playing the coldest game of his football career (12 degrees). Another key was running back Antonio Gibson taking over the offense and giving Maye time to deliver.

Running back Rhamondre Stevenson extended the Patriots’ lead on the team’s second drive, capping a 16-play, 91-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown run. This trip took 9:57.