Week 1 of the 2003 NFL season was unforgettable in Orchard Park, NY. The Buffalo Bills opened the year by blanking the New England Patriots 31–0 at home, in what instantly became known as The Lawyer Milloy Game.
Just days before kickoff, the Patriots cut their longtime All-Pro safety in a surprise salary cap move. Two days later, he signed with the Bills. Three days after that, he was starting — against his former team.
The atmosphere at Ralph Wilson Stadium was electric from the jump. The crowd was loud, fired-up, and ready for blood — and the team responded. On their opening drive, Drew Bledsoe led a smooth march down the field, capped by a short touchdown by Travis Henry. The defense took it from there. Tom Brady threw four interceptions — two to Takeo Spikes, one to Nate Clements, and one to Big Sam Adams who rumbled, bumbled, stumbled the ball back for a touchdown. Buffalo sacked Brady four times and completely stifled New England’s offense.
It was 21-0 at halftime and after a scoreless third quarter, Henry added a second touchdown at the beginning of the fourth that would put the game out of reach.
Milloy’s presence added a unique emotional weight to this one. He brought energy, leadership, and a little bit of inside intel to the defense, and it showed. The fans knew it, the players felt it, and the Patriots paid for it
New England Patriots Vs. Buffalo Bills Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
This game felt big at the time, like a possible shift in the AFC East. Buffalo absolutely shell-shocked the Patriots, but the season didn’t follow that script. The Bills finished just 6–10, and the Patriots went on to win 14 straight games after this blowout, capturing another Super Bowl and even returning the favor in the season finale, beating the Bills 31-0 themselves.
.The 31–0 final still stands as one of the most cathartic and satisfying wins for Buffalo during the drought era. It was physical, personal, and dominant. A rare afternoon when the Bills imposed their will on their Foxborough foes and gave the home crowd a game to remember.