page_title: Bills–Patriots rivalry
section_title: 2000–2009
hierarchical_section_title: Bills–Patriots rivalry / History / 2000–2009
caption_attribution_description: Buffalo Bills Quarterback J.P. Losman gets tackled in the endzone by Patriots left End Ty Warren for a safety during a crucial play in the fourth quarter on 10 Sep. Before the game, a B-2 Stealth Bomber from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., did a flyover that erupted the crowd and hundreds of recruits enlisted in the Army National Guard during halftime. New England went on to win the game played at Gillette Stadium, 19-17. (U. S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons)
context_page_description: The Bills–Patriots rivalry is a professional American football rivalry between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots.
  Both teams are members of the East division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League. The teams play two scheduled games each season as a result. The series debuted in 1960 as part of the American Football League. As of March 2020, the Patriots lead the series 76–43–1; the two clubs have combined for thirteen AFL/AFC championships.
  Six Bills players, coach Marv Levy, and team founder Ralph Wilson are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while five Patriots players and coach Bill Parcells are presently enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
  The series has been notable for its recent lopsidedness, especially during the career of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who compiled a record of 29–3 against the Bills with 68 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in the eighteen seasons he was Patriots starter between 2001 and 2019. Entering 2020, Brady has won more games in New Era Field than any quarterback for Buffalo since 2001.
context_section_description: The 2000s was the most lopsided decade for the rivalry to date. On November 5, 2000 Flutie and the Bills defeated the Patriots and new head coach Bill Belichick at Foxboro Stadium 16–13 in overtime. But after this the Patriots won 18 of the next 19 against the Bills.
  This decade also saw several notable personnel changes. Following New England's 2001 championship year, Drew Bledsoe was traded by New England to Buffalo in 2002. Lawyer Milloy was then cut after the 2003 preseason and was immediately signed by Buffalo. Doug Flutie, released by the Bills after 2000, joined the Patriots by way of the San Diego Chargers in 2005.
  The Patriots assembled a five-game winning streak over the Bills in the beginning of the decade, which was snapped when Buffalo defeated the Patriots 31–0 in 2003 season. However, the Patriots then defeated the Bills by the same score later in the season. That win began a 15-game winning streak for the Patriots against the Bills stretching through 2010. The Bills did come close to winning on two occasions, but lost both times due to fourth quarter gaffes, surrendering a safety in 2006 to lose 19–17, and fumbling a kickoff return to set up New England's game-winning touchdown in 2009.
  On December 28, 2008, the 10–5 Patriots needed a win and help from other teams to win the AFC East, while the 7–8 Bills were wrapping up the ninth straight season without a playoff berth. Played with severe wind gusts that required stadium officials to use ropes to keep the goalposts from swaying, the game was a 13–0 Patriots win as Matt Cassel, subbing for injured Tom Brady, threw only eight passes.  However, the Patriots fell short of the division title.
caption: Bills QB J. P. Losman gets tackled by New England's Ty Warren for the Patriots' game-winning safety in 2006
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