Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR) - The Buffalo Bills will look to take a stranglehold of the AFC East with a victory on Sunday over the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium.
If the Bills win, they’ll remain undefeated at 4-0, while the Patriots will fall to 1-3 on the season.
To do that, here are my three keys to the game, plus notes and stats:
Orchard Park, N.Y. - Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid runs the ball after a catch as Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Tarheeb Still punches the ball loose to force a fumble during the second half of a game at Highmark Stadium on Sept. 27, 2026. Timothy T. Ludwig - Getty Images
1.) Don’t give the ball away!
Last week, the Bills turned the ball over five times against the Los Angeles Chargers, but their defense was able to bail them out by getting stops and not allowing touchdowns.
If the Bills do that again this week, they'll be in trouble.
The Patriots may have a struggling offense, but they'll look to take advantage of every Bills mistake to capitalize. Buffalo absolutely has to take care of the football much better than it did last week.
Foxborough, Mass. - New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye scrambles away from Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips in a game at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 14, 2025. Sarah Stier - Getty Images
2.) Force Maye into mistakes
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is struggling.
Over his last seven games, including last postseason, Maye has thrown 10 interceptions and fumbled the ball nine times. The last person to do that was Jameis Winston all the way back in 2019.
There seems to be a lot of contention from New England fans and media right now when it comes to how Maye is playing, and who or what is responsible. He's also dealing with a shoulder injury.
The Bills have to keep him from making plays and feeling confident. The best way to do that is to get after him, force him into mistakes, and keep doubt in his mind all afternoon.
Foxborough, Mass. - Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen in action against the New England Patriots in a game at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 14, 2025. Sarah Stier - Getty Images
3.) Attack the New England defense
The Patriots will be without excellent cornerback Christian Gonzalez and defensive tackle Christian Barmore on Sunday due to injuries. Both are huge pieces to their defense, especially Gonzalez, who has established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the league.
Josh Allen currently leads the NFL in average depth of target at 10.28 yards. He and D.J. Moore may have opportunities to throw the ball down the field against a banged-up defense that's tied for the third-lowest sacks per-pass attempt (10.47%).
NOTES AND STATS:
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