BY: JOE KONZE JR.
For two decades, the New England Patriots have completely dominated the AFC East.
Their impressive run of 11 straight AFC East titles (2009-2019) and 17 total division titles under Bill Belichick cemented their legacy as one of professional sports’ most dominant dynasties.
But after an abysmal 33-6 loss to the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday and falling under .500 for the first time in October since 2002, the luster of the Patriots golden dynasty has worn off, and they are on the ropes.
New England (2-4) comes into today’s matchup, having lost its last three games and will now face Buffalo (5-2) in a must-win Week 8 matchup.
The Bills sit atop the AFC East in first place–unfamiliar territory for them– and are coming off an 18-10 win over the New York Jets (0-7), while the Patriots are struggling offensively and are in a vulnerable place.
After strong performances against the Seattle Seahawks and Las Vegas Raiders, Cam Newton has struggled to generate any passing attack for the Patriots. Newton has thrown five interceptions and no touchdowns in his last two games. The Patriots also rank 29th in the NFL in scoring offense averaging 20 points per game.
For Buffalo, this is a chance to take control of the AFC East. Although the Patriots are better than the Jets, it would be a complete failure to lose this game to the Patriots.
Patriots vs. Bills Rivalry:
It’s been nine years since the New England Patriots last lost a game in Orchard Park. Of those nine years, the Patriots have won the last eight games and 15 of the last 16. In 33 games played between the two teams, New England has won 30 of them.
Last time they met:
The last time Buffalo and New England met was back in late December of last season in Foxborough. Josh Allen lofted a pass to 320-pound tackle Dion Dawkins for a wide-open touchdown to tie the game 10-10 at the half.
Allen would also hit wide receiver John Brown from 53 yards out to put the Bills out front in the second half. But the Bills’ offense stalled, and the Patriots would take complete control of the game late in the second half.
Running back Rex Burkhead scored on a 1-yard touchdown with 5:11 left to give New England a 22-17 lead. Quarterback Tom Brady found wide receiver Julian Edelman on a 2-point conversion to make it 24-17 to put the game out of reach.
He Said It:
“He’s certainly a great player and I think people don’t know who he is off the field and they always wonder. Cam and I, our relationship goes back a long time and he is a real joy to be around and a pleasure of a man just in terms of the way he handles himself with all the attention he’s gotten over the years. He was always very respectful and kind to me and my family and I’ll never forget that.”
Buffalo Bills Head Coach Sean McDermott on Cam Newton
Key Matchup– Bills Rushing Attack vs. New England:
The Bills have struggled to find a rhythm on the ground this season. Buffalo ranks 29th in the league in total rushing stats and are averaging 97 rushing yards per game. But this weekend could be a different story for the Bills.
The Patriots have given up 793 total rushing yards on the ground and are allowing 132.2 yards per game.
With the forecast calling for 40 MPH winds today, look for the Bills to hand the ball off and see if they can ignite a lackadaisical running game.
They also get guard John Feliciano back this week.
The Return of John Brown:
John Brown is a home run hitter. Give him a route to run, and he will blow the top off of a defense. In the past three weeks, Brown has been inactive twice. He appears to be ready to play in this week’s matchup.
Although the Bills are fairly deep at the wide receiver position, it helps to have Brown on the field to complement the fleet footed Stefon Diggs and gritty Cole Beasley. When Brown is active and healthy, it gives Allen a second deep threat when Diggs is covered.
In five games this season, Brown has 14 receptions for 194 yards and two touchdowns.
Will Bills the Bills force Cam Newton to run?:
The former 2015 NFL MVP has seen better days as a passer, but on the ground, Newton still runs the ball well.
He is the Patriots leading rusher with 244 yards on the season, five touchdowns, and is averaging 48.8 yards per game.
With both Julian Edelman and N’Keal Harry sidelined, do the Bills dare stack the box to slow down Newton and Co.?
Can McDermott and Allen finally take what is theirs?:
Sean McDermott and Josh Allen are currently 0-6 against the Bill Belicheck led Patriots. If there was one year to stick it to the Pats, this year is the year to do it.
Last season, the Bills fell short in Foxborough by a score of 24-17. But with a Tom Brady-less team this time around, will the Bills take what is rightfully theirs?
Konze’s Prediction:
It will be a windy and wet day at Bills Stadium in Orchard Park, but I don’t think that will force the Bills to deviate from their plan. With John Brown back in the lineup, Allen will now have two deep threats (Diggs and Brown) to throw to. In three career starts, Allen has struggled against Belichick’s defense, but without several key pieces, including All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who’s been ruled out with a knee injury, who is going to stop them? As long as the defense holds up, I believe the Bills are on the winning side of this contest.
Prediction: Bills 21, Patriots 14
Bills vs. Patriots Broadcast:
Kickoff: 1 p.m. (ET) on Sunday at Bills Stadium
TV: CBS (Ch. 4 in Buffalo, Ch. 8 in Rochester, Ch. 5 in Syracuse)
RADIO: WGR 550 AM (Buffalo), WROC 950 AM (Rochester), WKTV 105.5 FM (Syracuse)
Betting lines:
- Money line: Patriots +180|Bills -230
- Against the spread: Patriots +4 (-110) | Bills -4 (-110)
- Over/Under: 40.5 (O: -110, U: -110)
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