Buffalo Bills: Game preview, notes, and prediction vs the Patriots

The Buffalo Bills are rolling. They are coming off two straight wins and have the last playoff spot as they head into the suburbs of Boston for a showdown with the Pats.

The Buffalo Bills come into this one with a respectable 8-6 record. The Patriots sit at 11-3 and already clinched the AFC East.

Buffalo needs at least one more win if they want to make the playoffs. The quest to end the drought starts in New England.

The Bills faced Tom Brady and squad already this season getting bested by the world champs 23-3 in Orchard Park just three weeks ago.

Buffalo does not control its own destiny per say but winning this game and next week’s game vs Miami will all but guarantee they make the post season.

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Last week, the Patriots got yet another favorable call in terms of the “catch” rule as they were just able to hold off the Steelers.

The Patriots’ record vs the Bills since 2001 speaks for itself as the Bills have only beaten them four times.

So it is not surprising that the Bills’ road to the promise land must make a stop in Foxborough.

The Bills come into this game relatively healthy. The only player officially listed as out is WR Andre Holmes who has not been productive lately anyway.

New England will have former Bills Mike Gillislee play after some injuries at running back.

Kelvin Benjamin, is questionable he is dealing with his torn meniscus. When out there, KB is a big time target in the passing game.

The recipe for stopping the Patriots is essentially unknown. However, the Bills can still contain them by doing the following things:

Be Mentally Tough

The Patriots are flat-out good but they do typically get penalty calls or officiating that end up benefitting them.

This has been going on for quite some time.

The Bills can have a chance to win if they are mentally tough.

Buffalo has to go into the game knowing that they won’t get a lot of calls and be ready to play against the refs a little bit too.

If they get rattled by the inevitable, they will get blown out.

Come into the game with a clear head, don’t get rattled, and they cannot beat themselves.

Get Tyrod Going Early

The Bills scored a TD to open the game last week for the Dolphins. They almost did vs the Pats a few weeks ago as well.

Tyrod Taylor needs to start slinging and taking chances early. Tyrod always finds a way to find many different wide outs.

If Rick Dennison and staff do not let him go out there and take chances the Patriots will get in their groove and run away with it.

You cannot beat the Patriots without taking chances and with a one-dimensional offense. Tyrod needs to have the green light right from kickoff.

Defense

The Bills’ defense is seemingly back to normal after a rough stretch in November.

To go more in-depth, the secondary is going to have to put in some extra work.

Pro Bowler Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, and Tre’Davious White are going to have to make big time plays.

Its rare but Tom Brady can look vulnerable and make mistakes. With the Pats’ offensive approach the Bills will need to do a better job in reading coverages and minimizing the space New England always finds.

Focusing on shutting down the Pats’ passing offense will win them this game.

The Bills are justifiably the underdogs in this one but Buffalo is playing with a ton on the line so the Bills will show up ready.

47. 16. 16. Final. 20

New England shouldn’t have a field day vs the Bills but they will likely squeak this one out. I think Tyrod and LeSean McCoy have decent games but the Pats are champs for a reason.

Next: Bills keep hopes alive with win over Miami

The Pats coming off a loss then a win they barely got and essentially didn’t earn.

Buffalo is coming off two huge home conference wins.

Momentum favors the Bills

Next week, the Bills close out their regular season with a playoff spot on the line down in Miami.

Whatever you do, do not let the Bills ruin your holiday. Although they will likely try.

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