Patriots - Bills, Different Feel for the Rematch, Key Matchups

Bills RBs vs NE Front Seven – Razor’s Edge Buffalo
The Bills running game and its effectiveness is based on the availability of LeSean McCoy and his being 100 percent physically or close to it. Right now, he hasn’t practiced Wednesday or Thursday and the Bills announced he’s 50/50 to play. He’s one of the best backs in the NFL and can make people miss. He’s rushed for 598 yards on the season and is third on the team with receptions.

QB Tyrod Taylor and Mike Gillislee do a good job of running the ball as well but if McCoy can’t go, it will be a big loss for Buffalo. Buffalo’s rushing offense is second in the NFL second only to Dallas, it is what makes their offense go.

The Patriots have done a very good job of limiting the running game thus far in 2016. They’re allowing just 92.3 yards per game thus far in 2016. The Bills in the first game rushed for 134 yards, something the Patriots will want to do a much better job of.

Interior linemen Malcolm Brown and Alan Branch have done a great job of stopping the run at the point of attack and allowing linebackers Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower to clean up and make plays. If McCoy can go, Collins will have a heavy focus on shadowing him.

This will be a key matchup for both teams. The Bills offense flows thru the running game. That opens the deep play action passing of Taylor that they’ve hit on several times this year. Stopping the run and forcing the ball into Taylor’s hands is priority one for the Patriots defense.

Bills WRs vs NE Secondary- Razor’s Edge New England
The Bills WR core is beaten up right now. Top WR Sammy Watkins is still on IR and a few weeks away from being ready to return. Robert Woods who led the team with 89 yards receiving in the first matchup is just getting back to practice this week although limited after missing the Miami game with a foot issue. Marquise Goodwin is in the concussion protocol and his status is up in the air.

Charles Clay will be the go-to guy for Taylor this week, especially if McCoy who’s third on the team with 20 catches can’t go. The Bills passing game is mired in 31^st place in the NFL averaging 175.1 yards per game.

The Patriots have taken a patient approach in the passing game, trying to keep everything in front of them and forcing teams to slowly pick their way down the field. That isn’t Buffalo’s passing game as when they do throw, they go for the big hitter. They’ll need to do a much better job of getting after Taylor in this one and that falls to the edge players, Jabaal Sheard, Chris Long, Rob Ninkovich and Trey Flowers.

With so many of their passing weapons either missing or possibly limited, look for Taylor to target Clay and fellow tight end Nick O’Leary in this one. This may be time to see more of Reggie Bush on third downs as well as WR Ed Eagan who was activated off the practice squad. Rex Ryan likens him to a young Wes Welker.

Special Teams- Razor’s Edge Buffalo
The Patriots special teams had perhaps their worst night since the Philadelphia game a year ago. Stephen Gostkowski missed yet another extra point and is struggling right now. Ryan Allen hit two bad punts and had another perfectly placed inside the five-yard line, whiffed on by the coverage unit and allowed to bounce into the end zone. The kickoff coverage unit for the first time allowed opponents to get past the 25 on pooch kickoffs.

Buffalo has had their own struggles on special teams. Dan Carpenter has missed on two extra points and two field goals. Colton Schmidt is in the bottom half of the league in net punting average. But the Bills STs had a big day in Miami, Brandon Tate had his second 30-yard punt return of the year and they blocked a kick.

Next up, who wins and why…

Like this article?
Support Steve and buy him a coffee.

About Steve Balestrieri

A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

View all posts by Steve Balestrieri