{'byline': 'by Tom Carroll', 'hosts': '', 'byline_sources': 'WEEI', 'hide_author': True, 'audience_id': '', 'original_station': [{'station': 'wgr550', 'path': 'wgr550/sports/bills/patriots-relishing-underdog-role-ahead-of-rematch-with-bills'}], 'syndicated_items': [{'station': 'wcmf', 'path': '/wcmf/sports/buffalo-bills/patriots-relishing-underdog-role-ahead-of-rematch-with-bills'}, {'station': 'thefanrochester', 'path': '/thefanrochester/sports/buffalo-bills/patriots-relishing-underdog-role-ahead-of-rematch-with-bills'}], 'original_item': {'_index': 'published-content_v43', '_type': '_doc', '_score': None, '_source': {'date': '2025-12-13T14:00:00.000+00:00', 'lead': [{'data': {'title': 'Jones & Keefe: Sal Capaccio on how Bills fans feel seeing Stefon Diggs succeed the way he has?', 'thumbnail_url': 'https://s2.dmcdn.net/v/ZbxgM1fEnj8Mj0XyD', 'id': 'x9vix06', 'created_time': 1765473018, 'mode': 'vod', 'private_id': 'kt4uCJ7HID8CSLEpz1k', 'owner': 'x2ynwee', 'description': '', 'channel': 'sport', 'tags': ['Boston', 'WEEIFM', 'WEEI 93.7', 'WEEI Afternoon Show', 'Christian Arcand', 'Andy Hart', 'Football', 'NFL', 'New England Patriots'], 'private': False, 'addPublic': True}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/dailymotion/instances/cmj386956005n01tpt752at08@published'}], 'slug': 'patriots-relishing-underdog-role-ahead-of-rematch-with-bills', 'tags': ['NFL', 'Football', 'New England Patriots', 'Drake Maye', 'Mike Vrabel', 'Stefon Diggs', 'WGR', 'WEEI', 'Buffalo Bills'], 'feeds': {'msn': True, 'rss': True, 'postup': True, 'facebook': True, 'newsfeed': True, 'sitemaps': True, 'frequency': True, 'smartNews': True, 'apple-news': False, 'smart-news': True, 'most-popular': True, 'reversechron': True, 'google-news-feed': True}, 'hosts': [], 'adTags': {'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/ad-tags/instances/cmj386956004s01tpaopi06t9@published'}, 'byline': [{'hosts': [], 'names': [{'name': 'Tom Carroll', 'slug': 'tom-carroll', 'text': 'Tom Carroll'}], 'prefix': 'by', 'sources': [{'text': 'WEEI'}]}], 'teaser': 'Patriots relishing underdog role ahead of rematch with Bills', 'authors': ['Tom Carroll'], 'content': [{'data': {'text': '<strong>Boston, Mass. (WEEI/WGR Sports Radio 550) -</strong> Depending on <a href="https://www.oddstrader.com/nfl/event/buffalo-bills-vs-new-england-patriots/matchup/?egid=24&eid=4765880&seid=59654">where you’re shopping for odds</a>, the New England Patriots (11-2) have jumped between being a 1.5-point underdog and a 1.5-point favorite in advance of their Week 15 game against the Buffalo Bills (9-4).', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj386956004w01tpu2xml316@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<iframe frameborder="0" height="200" scrolling="no" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=CAD2670934341" width="100%"></iframe>', 'isIframe': True, 'componentVariation': 'html-embed', 'fbInstantArticleHtml': '<iframe frameborder="0" height="200" scrolling="no" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=CAD2670934341" width="100%"></iframe>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/html-embed/instances/cmj386956004x01tphspzuqpg@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'During media availabilities on Wednesday, New England was sitting in that slight home underdog role at most sportsbooks, which begged the question for players and coaches:', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj386956004y01tplbyk27ja@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'How do they feel about being considered a home underdog in the midst of a 10-game winning streak against <a href="https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/patriots/ups-and-downs-as-patriots-upset-bills-23-20">a team they’ve already beaten</a> on the road this season?', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj386956004z01tp6zs004dy@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Turns out, they kind of love it.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj386956005001tpjqwhw6na@published'}, {'data': {'text': "“Anytime you're at home and you're an underdog, it gives you something to play for a little bit,” second-year quarterback Drake Maye told the media after practice. “Whatever the underdog and whatever they set the line at, it's us versus them, regardless. When we put the ball down, it's going to be 0-0.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj386956005101tptg3v3p59@published'}, {'data': {'text': "“For 60 minutes, we know we’ve got to play a full game. So, they’ve got some great players over there. They’ve got some great coaches, and they've won the division for five years. So, we’ve got something that we need to go take, and we know it’s going to be hard to do, but we're up for it.”", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj386956005201tp4xu97wcy@published'}, {'data': {'url': 'https://twitter.com/yaboiTCfresh/status/1998871005649850833', 'html': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Drake Maye agrees with Stefon Digg’s comments from the locker room, where the wide receiver said he’s happy the Pats are listed as 1.5-point underdogs:<br><br>“I think any time you’re at home and you’re an underdog, it gives you something to play for a little bit. And I think we’re not… <a href="https://t.co/Df8XBdZ0Tw">pic.twitter.com/Df8XBdZ0Tw</a></p>— Tom Carroll (@yaboiTCfresh) <a href="https://twitter.com/yaboiTCfresh/status/1998871005649850833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2025</a></blockquote>\n\n', 'showMedia': True, 'showThread': True, 'componentVariation': 'tweet'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/tweet/instances/cmj386956005301tpx6wzjwrw@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'With a win, the Patriots will clinch a division title for the first time since 2019 - their last of a run of 17 division titles in 19 seasons.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj386956005401tpwxihdaja@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Since then, Buffalo has won the AFC East each season, led by their perennial MVP candidate in Josh Allen. But for the first four of those five division titles, Allen had now-Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs <a href="https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/patriots/stefon-diggs-on-facing-mvp-josh-allen-i-like-our-guy">as his go-to weapon</a>.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj388fcy000n357vx8htaj3a@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'At that time, Diggs was playing at an All-Pro level while helping push Buffalo into the conversation of Super Bowl contender for the first time since the early ’90s.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj389312000r357vkmru3pme@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Now, Diggs is playing at a Pro Bowl level while donning the Flying Elvis. He, too, loves the underdog moniker.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj386956005501tp8xnujjl0@published'}, {'data': {'text': '“You guys are actually underdogs this Sunday - is this something you’re aware of?” Diggs was asked at his locker before practice.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj386956005601tpyr5z7bzm@published'}, {'data': {'text': '“I didn’t know - that’s the first time I’ve heard it, but… good.”', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj386956005701tpu8fayaut@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Diggs was then asked if he's sensed at all that the Patriots play with a "nobody believed in us" mentality, or chip.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj386956005801tpchqa6mhf@published'}, {'data': {'text': '“Edge - a real edge,” said Diggs. “I think - that’s why I said it was good. This team is full of [players] that were, like, cast-offs and people who were cut, or people who didn’t necessarily get the opportunity that they wanted, or however you dice it up. And I feel like that’s good for us.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj386956005901tpi0370cua@published'}, {'data': {'text': '“Nobody believed in us but us, you know? The record is surprising to everybody, and all we did was take it one game at a time. And I think we’re gonna do the same thing with this one.”', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj386956005a01tp1iic9nzv@published'}, {'data': {'tag': None, 'fill': None, 'items': [{'uri': 'www.audacy.com/_components/article/instances/cmj37vgcm002z01ssdvpznn8v@published', 'url': 'http://www.audacy.com/wgr550/sports/bills/stefon-diggs-on-facing-mvp-josh-allen-i-like-our-guy', 'lead': 'dailymotion', 'pageUri': 'http://www.audacy.com/wgr550/sports/bills/stefon-diggs-on-facing-mvp-josh-allen-i-like-our-guy', 'feedImgUrl': 'https://radioimg.audacy.com/aiu-media/GettyImages2239474139-b168f524-c16c-408e-ba06-8ff2e23e96dc.jpg?crop=16:9', 'urlIsValid': True, 'contentType': 'article', 'canonicalUrl': 'http://www.audacy.com/wgr550/sports/bills/stefon-diggs-on-facing-mvp-josh-allen-i-like-our-guy', 'overrideImage': None, 'overrideTitle': None, 'primaryHeadline': "Stefon Diggs on MVP debate ahead of Josh Allen rematch: 'I like our guy'", 'ignoreValidation': False}], '_version': 2, 'articles': [{'uri': 'www.audacy.com/_components/article/instances/cmj37vgcm002z01ssdvpznn8v@published', 'url': 'http://www.audacy.com/wgr550/sports/bills/stefon-diggs-on-facing-mvp-josh-allen-i-like-our-guy', 'lead': 'dailymotion', 'pageUri': 'http://www.audacy.com/wgr550/sports/bills/stefon-diggs-on-facing-mvp-josh-allen-i-like-our-guy', 'feedImgUrl': 'https://radioimg.audacy.com/aiu-media/GettyImages2239474139-b168f524-c16c-408e-ba06-8ff2e23e96dc.jpg?crop=16:9', 'urlIsValid': True, 'contentType': 'article', 'canonicalUrl': 'http://www.audacy.com/wgr550/sports/bills/stefon-diggs-on-facing-mvp-josh-allen-i-like-our-guy', 'overrideImage': None, 'overrideTitle': None, 'primaryHeadline': "Stefon Diggs on MVP debate ahead of Josh Allen rematch: 'I like our guy'", 'ignoreValidation': False}], 'missingItems': False, 'sectionFront': 'sports', 'componentVariation': 'inline-related'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/inline-related/instances/cmj38b1t3000y357v02omsc0u@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'When head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about it during his pre-practice press conference, he was a bit more dismissive.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj386956005c01tppgxevffl@published'}, {'data': {'text': "“No,” Vrabel said when asked if he pays attention to point spreads. “I mean, it gets brought to attention. I don't think that - every week you see in this league that records really don't mean anything, the point spreads and survivor pools get blown up every week and all that other stuff.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj386956005d01tpy82oakk9@published'}, {'data': {'text': "“So, we're just trying to focus on our preparation here and getting back into it. Had a good day Monday, excited about the meetings thus far today, and then progress through the week.”", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmj386956005e01tpyizujwp2@published'}, {'data': {'url': 'https://twitter.com/yaboiTCfresh/status/1998831081269645334', 'html': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/BenVolin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BenVolin</a>: “The people in Las Vegas have you guys as underdogs…”<br><br>Vrabel: “Who are the people, Ben?”<br><br>BV: “I guess the oddsmakers…”<br><br>MV: “There ya go. That’s what they are. They’re called oddsmakers. Not people - there’s a lot of people in Las Vegas, only a few of them that… <a href="https://t.co/hJOczkSGEP">pic.twitter.com/hJOczkSGEP</a></p>— Tom Carroll (@yaboiTCfresh) <a href="https://twitter.com/yaboiTCfresh/status/1998831081269645334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2025</a></blockquote>\n\n', 'showMedia': True, 'showThread': True, 'componentVariation': 'tweet'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/tweet/instances/cmj386956005f01tpwc28xmvm@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'As of publishing, the Patriots are back to being the underdogs, sitting at <a href="https://www.pa.betmgm.com/en/sports/football-11/betting/usa-9/nfl-35">+1 at BetMGM</a> and <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nfl">+1.5 at FanDuel</a>. Only minus-odds available for the Patriots on the moneyline at BetMGM (-105), while plus-odds are still available for New England at FanDuel (+100). 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Patriots relishing underdog role ahead of rematch with Bills

New England will win the AFC East with a victory over the Bills on Sunday

By Tom CarrollDec 13, 2025

Boston, Mass. (WEEI/WGR Sports Radio 550) - Depending on where you’re shopping for odds, the New England Patriots (11-2) have jumped between being a 1.5-point underdog and a 1.5-point favorite in advance of their Week 15 game against the Buffalo Bills (9-4).

During media availabilities on Wednesday, New England was sitting in that slight home underdog role at most sportsbooks, which begged the question for players and coaches:

How do they feel about being considered a home underdog in the midst of a 10-game winning streak against a team they’ve already beaten on the road this season?

Turns out, they kind of love it.

“Anytime you're at home and you're an underdog, it gives you something to play for a little bit,” second-year quarterback Drake Maye told the media after practice. “Whatever the underdog and whatever they set the line at, it's us versus them, regardless. When we put the ball down, it's going to be 0-0.

“For 60 minutes, we know we’ve got to play a full game. So, they’ve got some great players over there. They’ve got some great coaches, and they've won the division for five years. So, we’ve got something that we need to go take, and we know it’s going to be hard to do, but we're up for it.”

With a win, the Patriots will clinch a division title for the first time since 2019 - their last of a run of 17 division titles in 19 seasons.

Since then, Buffalo has won the AFC East each season, led by their perennial MVP candidate in Josh Allen. But for the first four of those five division titles, Allen had now-Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs as his go-to weapon.

At that time, Diggs was playing at an All-Pro level while helping push Buffalo into the conversation of Super Bowl contender for the first time since the early ’90s.

Now, Diggs is playing at a Pro Bowl level while donning the Flying Elvis. He, too, loves the underdog moniker.

“You guys are actually underdogs this Sunday - is this something you’re aware of?” Diggs was asked at his locker before practice.

“I didn’t know - that’s the first time I’ve heard it, but… good.”

Diggs was then asked if he's sensed at all that the Patriots play with a "nobody believed in us" mentality, or chip.

“Edge - a real edge,” said Diggs. “I think - that’s why I said it was good. This team is full of [players] that were, like, cast-offs and people who were cut, or people who didn’t necessarily get the opportunity that they wanted, or however you dice it up. And I feel like that’s good for us.

“Nobody believed in us but us, you know? The record is surprising to everybody, and all we did was take it one game at a time. And I think we’re gonna do the same thing with this one.”

When head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about it during his pre-practice press conference, he was a bit more dismissive.

“No,” Vrabel said when asked if he pays attention to point spreads. “I mean, it gets brought to attention. I don't think that - every week you see in this league that records really don't mean anything, the point spreads and survivor pools get blown up every week and all that other stuff.

“So, we're just trying to focus on our preparation here and getting back into it. Had a good day Monday, excited about the meetings thus far today, and then progress through the week.”

As of publishing, the Patriots are back to being the underdogs, sitting at +1 at BetMGM and +1.5 at FanDuel. Only minus-odds available for the Patriots on the moneyline at BetMGM (-105), while plus-odds are still available for New England at FanDuel (+100). With both teams sporting MVP candidates at quarterback, the total at both books currently sits at 49.5, despite the potential for a wintery mix in Foxborough on Sunday.

Regardless of where this line lands, it feels like we’re in the early stages of the first great AFC East quarterback rivalry since Jim Kelly versus Dan Marino throughout the late ’80s and early ’90s (Brady vs. Manning was only a divisional rivalry for one season, as the Colts moved to the AFC South ahead of the 2002 season - and let’s be honest, Brady wasn’t Brady yet).

Before their win at Buffalo earlier this season, Maye and Allen had gone head-to-head just one other time - a late December game at Highmark Stadium in Week 16 of the 2024 season. And while New England ultimately lost the game, they put a scare into the Bills with a final score of 24-21.

Maye was the better quarterback on the field that Sunday, finishing with a better QBR and passer rating while also accounting for more passing yards, passing touchdowns and a higher completion percentage. Both quarterbacks ran six times for 30 yards.

It was a loss in the record book, but it was yet another reminder from Maye’s rookie campaign of the type of player he could become one day, elevating his game against better competition and giving his team a chance to win regardless of the opponent.

Fast forward to Sunday, and Maye has already ascended to the level Patriots fans thought he would, way ahead of schedule.

Maye outdueling Allen to clinch an AFC East crown in Week 15 would go a long way towards vaulting this quarterback rivalry into the league-wide conversation.

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