The first six weeks of the 2023 NFL season had been a trying experience for quarterback Mac Jones and the New England Patriots offense. And Sunday afternoon, it suddenly appeared their Week 7 would be, too.

New England’s 12-point lead over the Buffalo Bills had disappeared in the fourth quarter. After Josh Allen threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs to complete a five-play, 75-yard drive with 5:32 to play, Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne lost a fumble at the New England 29-yard line with 4:56 remaining.

Allen’s quarterback sneak and 2-point conversion pass with 1:58 to play put Buffalo ahead by three points.

During the Patriots’ 1-5 start, New England gained possession with 1:57 to play down by five points against the Philadelphia Eagles, with 2:14 remaining down by seven points against the Miami Dolphins and with 2:23 left down by two points against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Patriots lost all those games.

But against the Bills, New England moved 75 yards in 106 seconds to pull out a 29-25 victory that made the Patriots’ Bill Belichick the third coach in NFL history with 300 regular-season wins.

“Just lower my pulse and go out there and execute,” Jones said. “I think that’s what I told the guys in the huddle: Take a deep breath and let’s go do it. Half of it’s just belief, and then the other half is execution. Got to continue to grow on that. I think when you look at the other ones, it’s hard – right? – because you wish you had more. But I’m going to look at the positive and grow on this and do it every time I get it.”

Before the Patriots’ final possession, New England defensive tackle Davon Godchaux told Jones “to be like Mike (Jordan) and Kobe (Bryant).”

“DG, ever since I’ve gotten here, he’s been one of my close buddies,” Jones said. “He keeps it loose. He’s funny. He makes plays out there. I know he has confidence in me. That means a lot to me as a younger player compared to him, who’s been in the league for a little bit. He’s done a great job. And I want to continue to do that and make people believe.”

Jones connected with running back Rhamondre Stephenson for a 34-yard gain to start the game-winning drive, hit tight end Hunter Henry for a 14-yard pickup on a third-and-8 throw and tossed a 1-yard TD pass to tight end Mike Gesicki with 12 seconds to play.

Jones completed 6-of-7 passes for 64 yards on the final series.

“Just sticking to the process,” Jones said. “It’s hard when the results aren’t there. Continue to do that, continue to get better. I feel like definitely we left some things out there as always. But at the end of the day, we fought back. The offensive line, especially, just gave me the time I needed today, and when I have time I can read the offense how we’re supposed to, and I really appreciate those guys.”

For the game, Jones completed 25-of-30 passes for 272 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

“It’s just a crumb,” Jones said, “and just keep picking up those crumbs and eventually you’ll have a whole loaf of bread. That’s my goal.”

The former Alabama All-American’s first touchdown pass on Sunday came on a 4-yard toss to Bourne as New England took a 22-10 lead with 7:36 to play.

Jones had one previous fourth-quarter, game-winning drive in his career. On Oct. 10, 2021, he led the Patriots to a 25-22 victory over the Houston Texans after New England had trailed by seven in the final period. The Patriots entered that game with a 1-3 record and went on to win seven of their next eight games after overtaking the Texans.

New England visit the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 29 for its next game.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.