The Buffalo Bills are gearing up for their first AFC East matchup since Week 9, when they hosted the Miami Dolphins. That game ended with Tyler Bass nailing a dramatic 61-yard field goal to secure another victory over Miami. Now, after spending the last two weeks on the road, the Bills return to Orchard Park this Sunday to face the struggling New England Patriots.
The Patriots, winless since November 10, are looking to play spoiler as the Bills remain in contention for the AFC’s top seed. Meanwhile, New England continues to evaluate Jerod Mayo’s potential as their long-term head coach. Bills fans, however, might be more concerned about the potential of Drake Maye, a promising young quarterback for the Patriots. Despite limited surrounding talent, Maye has shown flashes of a high ceiling and could develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber player, though growing pains against Buffalo’s defense in front of a boisterous Bills Mafia are likely.
Ahead of the game, we spoke with Sara Marshall, Site Expert for Musket Fire, to gain insights into the Patriots as they prepare for this AFC East showdown.
Bills vs. Patriots Week 16 Key Points
- Who Needs to Step Up for the Patriots to Pull Off an Upset?
Nearly everyone except Drake Maye and Christian Gonzalez, who have been the team’s most reliable players, needs to elevate their performance. On offense, better play-calling from Alex Van Pelt is crucial. His late-game adjustments often spark a comeback effort, but it’s usually too late. On defense, the entire unit must improve, particularly in avoiding penalties that negated crucial plays last week. Consistency and aggression will be critical, especially against Josh Allen. - How Can the Patriots Exploit the Bills’ Defensive Struggles?
The Patriots need to establish a strong running game early and sustain it throughout, while leveraging Maye’s ability to air it out. Success will depend on the receiving corps creating separation and the offensive line holding up. If these elements come together, New England could capitalize on Buffalo’s recent defensive lapses. - What Weaknesses in the Patriots Could the Bills Exploit?
New England’s pass rush has been nearly nonexistent, leaving them vulnerable to Josh Allen’s mobility and scrambles. Additionally, the defensive line struggles against the run, presenting an opportunity for James Cook to have another standout performance. - Could Jerod Mayo Be One-and-Done as Head Coach?
While firing Mayo after one season would be a tough decision for Robert Kraft, it’s possible if Kraft doubts Mayo’s ability to lead the team back to the playoffs. Kraft has expressed frustration with the Patriots’ performance over the past four years, but changes to the coaching staff may focus more on assistants than Mayo himself.
Fans can catch the action live on CBS at 4:25 PM EST this Sunday from Orchard Park as the Bills and Patriots clash in a pivotal AFC East matchup.
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