Top 5 matchups to watch in the Bills-Patriots game

The Patriots and Bills meet for the second time at Gillette Stadium today in a pivotal game that has both divisional and playoff implications.

The Patriots won the first meeting on Sunday Night Football earlier this season, 23-20. As always with the Bills, stopping Josh Allen is priority number one. The second is controlling James Cook and their running game.

Winning individual match ups will be a big key for the Patriots today.

Here are five match ups you should be watching today.

Dalton Kincaid vs. Craig Woodson: Expect these two to match up a lot today as the Bills will feature Kincaid in the passing game. He has been their best receiver and they will do what they can to get him open throughout the game. Woodson will match up with him in man coverage but the Patriots may have to double him in certain situations, especially in the red zone.

Joey Bosa vs. Vedarian Lowe: Assuming Bosa plays, he will be a problem for Vedarian Lowe. Lowe has the length and athleticism to match up with Bosa but Bosa’s elite get off could be a problem and he could consistently force Drake Maye out of the pocket. The Patriots are going to have to help Lowe on certain downs and distances. A.J Epenesa also poses similar challenges.

James Cook vs. Patriots front seven: Stopping Allen is priority one but next in line is James Cook who will be heavily featured in this game. The weather could play a role in the game so both teams should emphasize their ground game. The Patriots front seven needs to be sound in their run fits and they need to make contact at the line of scrimmage and finish plays. They cannot allow Cook to push the pile and finish runs.

Christian Benford vs. Stefon Diggs: Diggs best game of the season thus far was against the Bills so expect Christian Benford to be on him throughout the game, especially when the Bills play man coverage. The Patriots are going to need to move Diggs around if they want to get him away from Benford. Benford’s game status is up in the air. He was a limited participant this week with a toe injury.

Bills RT vs. Harold Landry: Spencer Brown was a limited participant this week for the Bills and he may not play in this game. If he doesn’t, former UConn standout Ryan Van Demark will get the start and if he does, that should be a match up that favors the Patriots. Landry is due for a big game and today would be that day.