Odds: Bills -8.5, O/U: 49.5
Kickoff: The Patriots visit the Bills in what is a litmus test for this young up and coming Patriots team. New England has played well in Buffalo in recent years, including 24-21 loss last season. They have proven they can compete and win there. A fast start like last season would be ideal.
Here are four keys to the game for the Patriots.
1st Down: Ground and Pound: Buffalo ranks 31st in the NFL against the run. They give up over 6 yards per carry. The Bills have a 23.9% rate when it comes to giving up runs of over 10 yards per carry. That is the worst in the NFL. The Patriots have to run the ball and stick with it.
2nd Down: Limit Allen as a runner: The Patriots can’t stop Allen per say but if they can limit his ability to break contain and extend plays, that will help the Patriots stop him. As hard as it is to believe, keeping Allen in the pocket can actually be a good thing.
3rd Down: Limit the big plays: Limiting the big plays will be a key in this game. It is easier said than done because Buffalo is so good at making them but the Patriots have to find a way to not give up chunk plays if they want to win this game.
4th Down: Front seven must stop Cook: The Patriots have one of the best run defenses in the league through four weeks. They have dominated the line of scrimmage. If the Patriots are going to win this game, they need to reset the line of scrimmage and keep James Cook in check. Again, it is easier than done but a major key in this game.
Extra Points: This week’s game will be the 132nd meeting between the two teams. New England holds a 79-51-1 edge in the series and has won 38 of the last 50 regular season games between the clubs, dating back to 2000.
The Patriots are 37-26-1 all-time in games played in Buffalo, including 31-20 at Highmark Stadium.
The series between the AFC East rivals began in 1960. The Patriots’ 79 wins over the Bills are their highest victory total over any opponent, four higher than their next highest win total against the New York Jets (75).
After seven-straight series sweeps and 15-consecutive Patriots wins from 2003-10, Buffalo ended the streak with a 34-31 victory at Ralph Wilson Stadium in the first meeting between the teams in 2011. The 15-game win streak is tied for the longest streak over a single opponent in team history with 15-straight wins over the New York Jets.
The teams have had many memorable matchups over the years, including a span from 1999 to 2001, where four-of-six contests were decided in overtime.
Courtesy of patriots.com
Final Drive: Tonight’s game is a litmus for the Patriots. They have proven they are better but a win tonight would elevate to playoff contender status. It won’t be easy but if the Patriots can take care of the ball and finish drives, they can win this game.