AFC Game Of The Week
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots
Bills: After dropping their last two games, they were able to get back on track in week 15 against the Carolina Panthers. At one time, it was looking as if they were going to run away with their division. After a quick start, they hit a bump in the road in the form of inconsistency. They would win a game, then lose a game. On Sunday, I saw a much better effort from their offense. Throughout the year, I’ve been saying if Josh Allen were to be the Bills leading rusher, it won’t end well for him, and look what happened at the end of last week’s game in Tampa Bay. Josh was seen after the game with a walking boot. If there’s anything I can’t stress enough for them, they must make it a priority to do something about their inconsistent running game. I’ll say this though. I was happy to see them attempt running the football on Sunday against Carolina. Devin Singletary carried the football a total of 22 times and ran for a season-high, 86 yards in the win. Because of Josh’s foot injury, the team limited his mobility. They are still in the hunt for a wild card spot. On Sunday, they will face a team they just saw almost three weeks ago.
Patriots: Seven games. That’s how many they won consecutively before the streak snapping on Saturday in Indianapolis. As I was watching that game on Saturday night, I was thinking one thing. The Patriots were getting beat at their own game and beat badly. Entering the game, I said they would have to try and limit Jonathan Taylor which is easier said than done. However, that’s always been Bill Belichick’s mantra. Take away what you do best as an offense and force you to beat them another way. One thing that’s carried the Patriots this year has been a consistent rushing attack. The Colts bottled that up and dared Mac Jones to beat him. For the first time all season, Mac looked like a rookie and could never get into that rhythm. I need to say this. I tip my cap to Mac because he took some vicious hits on Saturday night and still kept himself in the game. In other words, he wasn’t leaving that football field and you would have to carry him off. Despite the loss, they’re still in the drivers’ seat in the AFC East at the top with three games to play. They will look to bounce back on Sunday at home.
Bills X-Factor: Emmanuel Sanders– He’s the third option for this Buffalo offense. With Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis on the COVID list, Emmanuel’s return to this offense couldn’t come at a better time. He was sidelined with a knee injury. This will help the Bills. The group of Diggs, Isaiah McKenzie, Dawson Knox and Emmanuel Sanders will have to hold their own on Sunday. I don’t expect the weather to also be a factor as it was the first time when they played the Patriots.
Patriots X-Factor: Hunter Henry- Anytime Mac can get him the ball, good things happen. If any of you know about the Patriots and their offensive philosophy, they love to include the tight ends in their scheme, preferably two of them. Hunter is their most consistent weapon in the passing game. This is who Mac targets when the chains need to be moved. There’s nobody in this Bills secondary that can limit him. Look for the Patriots to line him up in different ways.
Final Thoughts: This is one of the many big games on the week 16 schedule. When they last met, the Patriots dominated the Bills with a consistent ground game and Mac Jones only threw the ball a total of three times in that victory. Let’s see how Buffalo adjusts this time around. Look at what the Colts did. They plugged up the running lanes and forced the game in the hands of Mac to win the football game. The Bills must come out and do the same thing to have a shot. It will also be key for Buffalo’s offense to take advantage of opportunities in front of them. New England was embarrassed on Saturday and will be looking to bounce back. This will come down to the New England offensive front against the Buffalo front seven. Can the Bills continue to establish Singletary? How does Mac bounce back after a down performance last week?
Prediction: Patriots 22, Bills 20
