Intriguing Game– NFL, Week 13
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots
Bills: Two games in Detroit, two wins and they were games they had to grind out indeed. For those of you who have either listened to me on Monday Evening Quarterback, The Prime, The NerdZone or The Sports Cubicle, I find myself saying the same thing each week about this team. There’s no balance and because of that, this is why they will never advance far in the postseason. I said this to someone a few weeks ago as to why I dislike Quarterbacks being counted on as not only your leading passer of course, but your leading rusher and this is exactly the issue I’ve had with them when it comes to Josh Allen. You can’t expect him to bail you out each time. The other day on the “The Prime”, I referred to the Buffalo Bills as the “Baltimore Ravens” of the AFC East because of how much they depend on Josh to do everything. They’ve shown me flashes of balance, but it hasn’t been consistent enough for my liking. Against Cleveland a few weeks ago, that was the best all-around performance I saw from Buffalo. Josh threw the ball a total of 27 times and they were able to get downhill and run the football. The defense took a hit when Von Miller injured his knee. That’s a big loss because they bought him to Orchard Park to help win that elusive Super Bowl title. This defense has been phenomenal once again. They’re a tough unit that prides themselves on rushing the passer and swarming to the football. They play again tonight on a Thursday to kick off a new week of NFL action.
Patriots: They ran out of time last week in Minnesota. Their offense was able to keep up with the Vikings which shocked me because they’ve struggled on that side of the football compared to the defense which has been one of the five best units all season. That was also the best game of Mac Jones’ young career. It would’ve been better with the win. Behind the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, that’s where I rank this Patriots defense. What is it that makes them so great you ask? First, the secondary has been incredible throughout the year. Opposing Quarterbacks are completing only 58.4 percent of their passes. Next, you mix strong secondary play with a pass rush that’s been relentless. Both Matthew Judon and Deatrich Wise Jr have been the best defensive tandem this year when it comes to getting to the Quarterback. They are ranked sixth in total points allowed, fifth in yards, second in sacks with 37 on the year and they are also ranked seventh in red zone defense. This shouldn’t be a surprise because Bill Belichick comes from a defensive background and back during the New England glory days, the defense always ranked in the top ten of a major statistical category. The main issue surrounding them is the mundane receivers they have. Nobody puts fear into the opposition’s secondary. They return home tonight for a showdown with the Buffalo Bills.
Bills X-Factor: James Cook– Okay, Devin Singletary is cool and Zack Moss is alright in my book. But I believe that James can become the number one Running Back for the Bills that they’ve envisioned of having since Josh Allen became QB1. Here’s what I’m saying. Give him the football more! James has a burst and a speed that Devin doesn’t have and that’s no shade on him whatsoever. In the passing game, he’s another receiver for the Quarterback. Many have compared him to James White, the former Patriot. I hope the Bills find ways to incorporate James more in the offense.
Patriots X-Factor: Deatrich Wise Jr.- The staple of Belichick’s defenses are pass rushers. He’s always had that one guy who’s specialty was just getting to the Quarterback. This year, he has two of them. Matthew Judon on one side and Deatrich on the other. Deatrich plays with long strides to collapse the pocket. With all the attention Judon receives, Deatrich often sees many single looks and it’s tough double teaming two players. One will have that open path. Deatrich will get to that Quarterback, even if it’s the last thing he does.
Final Thoughts: There were some memorable moments between these two last season. When they first met, it was in Orchard Park and Mac Jones threw the ball only three times and New England pounded Buffalo’s defense with the running game. The other time was in the playoffs where the Bills just had their way with the Patriots in the Wild Card round. Months later, here we are again. This will be the best defense the Bills will have faced all year. Belichick will do his usual which is take away the best option on the offense (Diggs) and tonight is the night that Dawson Knox, Gabe Davis and Isaiah McKenzie must rise up and help Diggs, especially Gabe because he can make a secondary pay if they put so much attention on Stefon. New England will run that football tonight. The Bills defense must bottle up Stevenson and force Mac into costly mistakes. This is the beginning of an important stretch of games for the Bills. Three division games in a row.
Prediction: Bills 26, Patriots 20
