Kickoff: The Patriots and Bills meet for the first time this season. The Patriots are 77-47-1 all time against the Bills. They are 39-23 all time at home against Buffalo. 16-4 at Gillette Stadium. The two teams faced off three times last season with the Bills winning two of the three match ups including a 47-17 win in the Wild Card round.

Four Downs

1st Down: Run fits against Allen: The Patriots have struggled against running quarterbacks all season and they have especially struggled against Josh Allen. Gap control and run fits are key tonight. They need to be disciplined up front or it will be a long night.

2nd Down: Get the ground game going: Getting the running game on track is important tonight. It has been non-existent the past two weeks. Controlling the clock and keeping the potent Buffalo offense on the sideline is key.

3rd Down: Bracket and Banjo Diggs: Stefon Diggs has hurt the Patriots through the years. Depending on the down and distance, they need to bracket him if he’s on the outside and banjo him in the slot.

4th Down: Mac must carry over last week’s performance: Mac Jones had arguably the best game of his Patriots career last week. He needs to build on that and play well this week. In many ways, the reminder of the Patriots season will go as he goes.

Extra Point: The Patriots are 7-0 all time wearing their throwback uniforms. That’s all I got.

Final Drive: The Patriots need this one. Plain and simple. Buffalo has won two straight here and we know how good they are. Despite all that, the Patriots can win the game if they play well in all three phases and play mistake free. It’ll take a near perfect game but they can pull it off.