Patriots (2-4) at Bills (5-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Bills Stadium, Orchard Park, N.Y.
TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s line: Bills by 4
Patriots’ keys to victory: While Buffalo’s Josh Allen is in his third year, his flaws are that of a younger quarterback. New England coach Bill Belichick will certainly take advantage of that with his defensive talent. Putting pressure in Allen’s face is one way of slowing him up, but opposing secondaries in recent weeks have started to run more zone coverage against him. Doing so has caused Allen to struggle to move the ball consistently. Offensively, the formula is simple: Run the ball. Whether it’s designed runs for QB Cam Newton or one of the numerous rushers the Patriots seem to have year in and year out, the Patriots should keep it on the ground against the Bills.
Bills’ keys to victory: Don’t play into Belichick’s hands. Because the Bills lack a complement to Allen, opposing defenses have found the formula for stopping him. Buffalo RB Devin Singletary has to find success on the ground, and his offensive line has to help him do so. Stopping Patriots running backs will be of massive importance. Tremaine Edmunds got his linebacking partner, Matt Milano, back from an injury last week, and that’s a huge boost for Buffalo.
Matchup to watch: Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore vs. Bills WR Stefon Diggs. The Bills traded for Diggs to be their new No. 1 wide receiver and he’s lived up to the hype. Gilmore is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
Who wins? Buffalo bounced back in Week 7 after two losses. Its confidence could go a long way in getting the Bills over the finish line.
Bills 27-24