AFC Game of the Week: New England Patriots Vs. Buffalo Bills

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FOXBORO- The 8-6 Buffalo Bills travel to Foxboro Massachusetts to take on the New England Patriots in a contest for positioning. I’m fact, this game will play an important role in shaping the final result of the AFC East standings. With only three weeks remaining in the first ever 17 game schedule, the stakes are high, the rewards for winning are sweeter than ever, the consequences of losing are so much more bitter. Chances are, teams in the AFC need to finish with at least 10 wins to make it in the post-season. The teams that finish with 9-8 records might as well pack their bags and go home unless one of them is fortunate enough to squeak in. The Bills are underachieving just a bit with their 8-6 record and really need to view this game as a must-win, no excuses.

On the other side, the home team Patriots are achieving much more than anyone could’ve hoped. Two years after the greatest quarterback in NFL history, Tom Brady left to sign with the Buccaneers, it seemed like an extensive rebuild was in place. However, don’t tell that to Head Coach Bill Belichick as he would’ve shaken his head in disbelief and said something to the effect of there’s no way it would’ve taken years to get back on track. Here we are in 2021 and the Patriots look like the same genius organization that got a steal with Brady in the sixth round. It wasn’t a guarantee that former Crimson Tide and Patriots starting quarterback Mac Jones would be a first-round selection that would play incredibly well in his rookie season. Jones is every bit as good as advertised and Patriots fans are believing again. If the fans are talking Super Bowl win in Foxboro, everyone ought to listen because there is a reason for the season of believing. This team is one win from almost certainly earning its place in the post-season. A win tomorrow will likely seal the deal.

As for the Bills, an 8-6 record through the first 14 games isn’t what anyone had in mind for this season. The Bills were supposed to have a record like 10-4 at this point. However, things didn’t go as planned. Josh, Allen, Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley, and Devin Singletary need to make sure they all get the Bills offense to score early and often to have a chance to win this game. The Patriots’ defense is looking like a dominant unit once again. It is a fortified wall that all offended fear and with good reason. This team isn’t allowing many points. The truth is if the Bills can score 21 points, that would be a great achievement right there. However, this team with all these ways to score is capable of scoring at least 30 points against any defense it goes up against so don’t count out the Bills before the game kicks off tomorrow. This is an important game for both teams. Expect a full effort from both teams and a very close finish. This game will leave fans on the edge of their seats.

Prediction: The New England Patriots defense will make its presence known early and often. It’ll be a close finish but the Patriots will win.

Patriots 20 Bills 14.

Other Key Games:

Green Bay Packers 11-3 vs. Cleveland Browns 7-7 Saturday 4:30 p.m.- The Browns are still on the outside looking in. This team was devastated by Covid, injuries, a lack of consistently good performances, and a whole lot of penalties. However, the AFC North is still a wide-open race and an “upset” on the road will mean an almost guaranteed playoff berth. This is a day of miracles and the Browns need to play at their best level despite all the injuries and starters not being available. In a season defined by low odds, mental mistakes, close calls, and a long list of injured players, things aren’t going well for the team “destined to make the Super Bowl”. This is a no excuse, must-win game. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are looking like the team that will advance to the Super Bowl. Winning this game against Green Bay at historic Lambeau Field will definitely be a Christmas miracle that is unlikely to happen. We’ll see how this turns out.

Arizona Cardinals vs . Indianapolis Colts 8-6 Saturday 8:15 p.m. The Colts really need to steal this game in the desert. They are fighting for playoff positioning the AFC. Will the Indianapolis defense shit down the high-flying Cardinals offense that won’t have DeAndre Hopkins on the field?

Minnesota Vikings 7-7 Los Angeles Rams 10-4 Sunday 1:00 p.m. – The Vikings and Rams duel it out for playoff positioning. Things are going so much better for Matthew Stafford in L.A. The Vikings season is going better than expected and this team has a chance to make the Wild Card round.

Cincinnati Bengals 8-6 vs. Baltimore Ravens 8-6 1:00 p.m.- When division games matter towards the end of the season, things get interesting. Both of these AFC teams have their shares of disappointment but the Bengals had the season no one expected so far. If Cincinnati wins this game, we’ll likely see one if the Ohio teams advance to the post-season. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will not make this easy. It’s the Ravens defense that will decide the outcome of this game though.