It's a huge game with major playoff implications this Saturday in Foxboro when the Buffalo Bills play the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Here are three keys to the game:
- The ball is your friend
When these two teams played back in week four, the Patriots won 16-10, and there's a strong case to be made they wouldn't have won the game had Bills quarterback Josh Allen taken better care of the football. Allen made several poor decisions with the ball and threw a season-high three interceptions. The Patriots scored a touchdown and a field goal off two of those turnovers. Since that game, Allen has thrown only three interceptions over a 10 game span. It's a big reason they're 7-3 over that time. Last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, running back Devin Singletary fumbled twice. Allen and Singletary, as well as their teammates will need to take care of the football if they're to win in Foxboro.
- Beasley, Knox, and Kroft, oh my!
Patriots starting slot cornerback Jonathan Jones is out. That means Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley may have a great opportunity to make some plays for the Bills offense. But the Patriots have also been vulnerable to tight ends lately. In fact, over their last six games, the Patriots have allowed opposing tight ends to catch 43 passes for 421 yards and six touchdowns! The only game they did not allow a touchdown to a tight end over that span was in a rain storm against the Dallas Cowboys. In their Week 4 matchup, Bills tight end Dawson Knox had three catches for 58 yards, while Tyler Kroft didn't play due to injury. Now they are both available and could be a difference.
- Special special teams plays
The Patriots have been making plays all season on special teams. Huge plays. They blocked a punt against the Bills in their first meeting, resulting in a touchdown. New England has blocked a league-leading four punts this season. Last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, their special teams forced a fumble on a Bengals punt return. They've made big plays and created points off special teams all season, and will undoubtedly look to do that again on Saturday against the Bills, who have to by hyper-aware of every single situation.
NOTES AND STATS
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