The New England Patriots are back on the road in Week 16 to face MVP favorite Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.

The game marks the start of the Patriots’ final three-game stretch, which includes another matchup against the Bills. The next three weeks could well determine head coach Jerod Mayo’s future with the organization.

Follow here for all live updates from Sunday’s action.

Sunday, December 22, 4:25 p.m. ET | Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY | Inactive | Matchday lineup | Broadcast information

First quarter

After losing the coin toss, the Patriots started the football and started with strong field position after a 42-yard kick return by Antonio Gibson. New England got going with a nice third-down conversion to Hunter Henry – with Maye staying calm under pressure – and then a DPI to Rhamondre Stevenson for 14 yards. On the next third down, Maye threw a ball perfectly into the basket to Kayshon Boutte for a 28-yard touchdown. (Patriots 7-0 Bills)

New England’s defense continued the strong start on Buffalo’s first possession. After Josh Allen secured a first down, strong coverage by Kyle Dugger on second down and a pass breakup by Alex Austin on third down forced a punt.

After Alex Erickson’s punt return went nowhere, they started their next drive inside the 10, Stevenson finding some running space while Maye connected with his two tight ends and marched across midfield. Maye’s legs then moved the chains on a third-and-long situation to help overcome an earlier penalty, before returning to Henry after another negative play to convert the ensuing third try. Buffalo’s defense then took two penalties as Mayes Cadence converted a third down before Pop Douglas scored a DPI. New England then took a penalty of its own on a designed QB run, but Stevenson quickly regained the distance as he broke through defenders for a 14-yard touchdown. (Patriots 14-0 Bills)

Second quarter

Buffalo’s offense picked up two first downs on their next drive to move through midfield. Then James Cook struck when he took a handoff 46 yards from home – creating more of the usual problems for the Patriots’ run defense – to put the Bills on the field. (Patriots 14-7 Bills)

New England’s offense was unable to continue its earlier momentum in the third period. Maye had a rare miss over the middle to an open bout on first down, while his third-down pass was then complete but narrowly missed Kendrick Bourne’s upright.

Buffalo went back to James Cook to start its next drive when the speedy defender caught a 16-yard swing pass on the first play from scrimmage. After a TFL by Kyle Dugger and a false start brought Buffalo back to a 3rd-and-16, Allen uncorked a deep bomb all the way to the end zone, which was intercepted by Marte Mapu, who then attempted to return it and at the one-yard line was tackled.