Bills' AFC East reign on ropes after rare first-half shutout at Highmark Stadium

In miserable weather and with a miserable offense, the Buffalo Bills trail the Philadelphia Eagles, 13-0, at halftime.

Bills Eagles | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

What as uglier in the first half: the weather at Highmark Stadium or the Buffalo Bills' offense inside it?

Fortunately for Bills Mafia, we've seen this movie before. And, despite this double-digit halftime deficit to the Philadelphia Eagles, it usually has ended up well. New England Patriots 21, Bills 0 ring any bells?

MORE: Bills’ early momentum erased by costly officiating blunder in Week 17

This one, played in cold, dreary rain, is about as hideous as we've seen from Buffalo's offense.

In falling behind the Eagles, 13-0, the Bills have had four possessions, resulting in three punts and a fumble. They hav only 122 yards of offense and just one play of more than 20 yards. That one - a 50-yard pass from Josh Allen to Brandin Cooks - was wiped out when the quarterback tried to stop his throwing motion but had the wet football slip out of his hand for a fumble. James Cook, the NFL' s leading rusher, has been held to 39 yards on nine carries.

Dec 28, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) sacks Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and forces a fumble during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium. | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

It's the first time the Bills have been shut out at home in a first half in 25 games. The last time was 6-0 to the New York Giants in Week 6 in 2023, in a game they rallied to win, 14-9.

MORE: Bills have seemingly given up on Keon Coleman, scratch Dalton Kincaid vs. Eagles

The Bills have been the NFL's best second-half team all season. They have three wins - including vs. the Pats in Foxboro - after trailing by 10+ points.

But with New England's victory earlier Sunday, if the Bills don't pull another miracle against the Eagles, their five-year reign atop the AFC East will come to an end.

Bills Eagles | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

— Sign up for OnSI’s Free Buffalo Bills Newsletter —

More Buffalo Bills News:

• Josh Allen's 'faith' aside, Bills should end WR experiment with former first-rounder

• Sean McDermott 'happy' after desperate Chiefs steal QB, leave Bills shorthanded

• Bills' head coach praises potential Jordan Poyer injury replacement

• Buffalo Bills' free-agent 'bargain' approaching six-figure sack bonuses