Patriots – Bills Keys, Who Has the Razor’s Edge?
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Patriots RBs vs Bills Front Seven – Razor’s Edge New England
The Patriots have dedicated themselves to their running game in 2016, something we haven’t seen in some time. They’ve stuck with it and their patience has been rewarded. They currently own the NFL’s #1 rushing attack with 150.7 yards per game. LaGarrette Blount leads the league in rushing (298 yards), the number of attempts (75), and is tied for the league lead in rushing TDs (4).
While Blount gets the lion’s share of the credit ….and should, (update he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month-Sept), the play of the offensive line deserves mention here. While not perfect by any means, their level of play has been much better in the first three games of 2016. The return of Dante Scarnecchia, Nate Solder, and James Develin all deserve mention here. As does the blocking of TE Martellus Bennett.
The Bills have been ok but not great against the run, allowing 98.0 yards per game. They rely on their inside linebackers Preston Brown and Zach Brown who excel at filling the gaps and being the downhill run-stuffing types that are needed in the middle. Their defensive linemen, NT Corbin Bryant and rookie Adolphus Washington can be pushed back in the running game.
Look for the Patriots to give Kyle Williams the J.J. Watt treatment of doubling him on nearly every down and running away from him on most plays. They’ll stay patient with the running game and the additions of Bennett and Gronkowski should tip the scale for the Patriots in this matchup. If the Pats get ahead, the running game of Blount will become an even bigger weapon in the 2nd half.
Patriots WRs vs Bills Secondary – Razor’s Edge New England
The Patriots passing game here will depend on two factors. Who is behind center either Jimmy Garoppolo or Jacoby Brissett and the other is, if it is Garoppolo, will his shoulder injury allow him to put enough on the ball to be effective. Regardless of who is behind center, the key for the Patriots is getting the ball out quickly.
Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, and Chris Hogan are good matchups against the Bills secondary. James White out of the backfield with Gronkowski and Bennett are the “X-Factors” in the passing offense. No one has a TE tandem like them and if given the time to throw, they will pressure the LBs/Safeties in the middle of the field.
Buffalo’s Jerry Hughes and Lorenzo Alexander, their OLB edge rushers each have three sacks on the year. They always get a good push from Williams inside. They dialed up some intriguing looks against Arizona that resulted in a banner day for the defense. Their cornerback play, however, hasn’t been as good as a year ago. And now Ronald Darby is banged up.
Look for the Bills to force NE into holding onto the ball and allowing their pass rush to get home. The Patriots will try to get the ball out early and get the chains moving. NE gets the edge here just because they have too many weapons for the defense to cover.
Next up the Buffalo offense:
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