Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills will look to win their second game in-a-row and stay unbeaten in divisional contests when they face the New England Patriots on Sunday at Highmark Stadium.
To do it, here are my three keys to the game, plus notes and stats:
1.) Dominate their offensive line
The Bills should have a hefty advantage upfront when the Patriots are on offense, but their defensive line will need to continue their play from last week to ensure that.
New England is one of only six teams to allow a sack on over 10% of their passing attempts (10.25%), and are dead last in the NFL in passing yards per-game (173.2).
They’ve had offensive line issues all season, and the Bills’ defensive line needs to make sure that continues.
2.) Make life miserable for Drake Maye
Building on the fist key, the Bills not only can win upfront, but to give that defensive line even more chances, they need to confuse rookie quarterback Dray Maye with disguised coverages and pre-snap looks.
The less Maye trusts what he sees, the more he’ll be hesitant, giving the Bills’ front-seven more of an opportunity to get home.
3.) Don’t give freebies
The Patriots have the third-fewest takeaways in the NFL with only 11. They’re also tied for the sixth-lowest rate of sacks per-pass attempt.
As long as Josh Allen and the Bills offense doesn’t give them free looks at getting to the quarterback or turnovers that stop drives, the Bills should be able to move the ball and score.
NOTES AND STATS:
