The New England Patriots will be taking on a familiar opponent in their Super Wild Card weekend game, as they will be facing their AFC East rivals, the Buffalo Bills. The teams split the first two meetings of the season, with each winning on the road.
The Patriots put themselves in a great position to win the division following their Week 13 victory over Buffalo, but losses in three of their last four games doomed those chances. One of those losses came against the Bills.
As a result, they let the division title and home-field slip through their hands. Now, the third matchup of the season will be taking place at Highmark Stadium. New England will have their hands full if they want to advance, as the Bills present some disadvantages to go up against.
What can we expect from the Patriots’ offense in this third meet? Here are three bold predictions for New England on that side of the ball in the Wild Card game.
3. Mac Jones Doesn’t Throw For 100 Yards
In the first matchup between the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills, weather played a big part. Mac Jones attempted only three passes, as New England ran an old school game plan. But, the results weren’t much better in the second matchup in better weather.
Jones completed only 14-of-32 pass attempts for 145 yards, throwing two interceptions, as the Bills stingy pass defense lived up to the billing. The third time will not be the charm for Jones, who will fail to break the 100 yard mark for a second time against the Bills.
Even without Tre’Davious White, the Bills pass defense has proven to be elite all season. They have destroyed the rookie quarterbacks they have faced and that will continue Wild Card weekend.
2. Patriots Rush For Over 150 Yards
If the New England Patriots are going to have any chance at winning this game, they will need to get the ground game going. In the first two matchups this season, they were able to produce in the rushing game.
Damien Harris was excellent in both games. He carried the ball 28 times, rushing for 214 yards and four touchdowns. Rhamondre Stevenson ran the ball 24 times for 78 yards in the first matchup but missed the second because of a concussion.
Getting those two on track will be imperative to the Patriots keeping this game competitive. The lower scoring the better, as they will not be able to count on consistent production from Mac Jones through the air.
Both Harris and Stevenson will once again crack the 75-yard mark individually, as New England will find success on the ground against the Bills.
1. Defense Scores As Many Touchdowns As Offense
The New England Patriots are going to have to muck this game up against the Buffalo Bills as much as possible if they want any chance at winning. Controlling the clock with the run game will be imperative, but they will also need a break somewhere else.
New England’s offense is not going to be able to muster many points, as they will score one touchdown. But, the defense will make enough plays to keep them in the game, scoring at least one touchdown themselves.
If New England can keep Buffalo under 20 points, they will have a real shot at pulling off the upset. If not, the Patriots will be heading back home after their third Wild Card loss in the Bill Belichick era.
