Double Bills: Patriots to star as the avengers

The Patriots found a way to win without Tom Brady. But they’ve been unbeatable with him.

The Bills are about to find out just how much of a difference Brady makes for the Patriots. With Brady serving the last game of a four- week suspension for jaywalking in Week 4, the Bills beat the Patriots 16- 0 at Gillette Stadium. It was the Patriots’ first shutout loss at home since 1993.

Brady returned the next week against the Browns and has been on a mission to destroy everything in his path. In three games, he has a league- leading 132.6 passer rating — completing 76 of 101 passes for 1,004 yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions. Brady is good in almost any circumstance, but he’s never better than when his laser focus is at a peak. Brady has complet- ed 24 of 29 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter — including 7- for- 7 for 66 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers at Heinz Field for a quick 7- 0 lead en route to a 27- 16 victory. The Patriots have trailed for only 8: 23 of 180 minutes with Brady back.

The Patriots’ offense doesn’t have the weapons it has had in some of the team’s most glorious seasons, but Brady is better than ever. Since he returned, the odds on the Patriots winning the Super Bowl have dropped to 11- 4 — per bovada. com. Brady is a 3- 2 favorite to win the league’s MVP award.

The game Sunday against the Bills is one of those tests the Patriots thrive on. In 2009 and 2010, Rex Ryan’s Jets beat the Patriots in their first games ( 16- 9, 28- 14). They lost the rematches 31- 14 and 45- 3.

In fact, the last five times the Pats have had a chance to avenge a division loss, they’ve won by 20, 17, 42, 28 and 28 points — scoring an average of 42.8 points. That’s what the Bills are up against.

Pick: Patriots 31, Bills 16.