Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills host the New England Patriots this weekend in a clash of AFC East rivals. Thanks to Tom Brady’s dominance combined with a horrendous period of Bills football, the all-time record between these two clubs is far more lopsided than it was when I was a far younger person. While the Bills were 38-41-1 against New England through the end of the 2000 season, New England dominated the early part of this century, and now they hold a 79-51-1 record against Buffalo.
In recent years, though, the pendulum has swung back in Buffalo’s favor. The Bills are 8-3 against the Pats over the last 11 meetings, and they’ve also won five straight AFC East Division titles. If the Bills win on Sunday, they’ll have a 5-0 record to New England’s 2-3 mark. Coupled with a 3-0 divisional record, the Bills would have the AFC East in a chokehold early. However, if New England wins, then the Pats will trail Buffalo by just half a game for the divisional lead.
One game is the difference between a half-game lead and a 3.5-game lead here in the early going. If the Patriots are going to win on Sunday, they’ll need some key players to step up and perform big. Here are five Patriots we’re watching on Sunday.
_____________________________________________________________________________
QB Drake Maye
This kid is good, folks. Maye is off to a nice start this year, as he’s leading the NFL in completion percentage so far. He’s hit on 74% of his passes for 988 yards, totaling seven passing touchdowns against just two interceptions. Last weekend against the Carolina Panthers, Maye was sensational, throwing for 203 yards and two scores on only 17 passing attempts. He completed 14 of those passes, averaging nearly 12 yards per attempt.
Maye can use his legs to extend plays and to pick up chunks of yardage, something Buffalo’s defense has struggled with this season. If the Bills play more man coverage this week like they have been for most of the season, perhaps they’ll employ a spy at some point to try and prevent the QB scramble. If Matt Milano plays, he’s the most likely candidate, but dime back/safety Cam Lewis has served in that role, as well. Putting pressure on Maye up the middle while containing the pocket is the key to success.
RB TreVeyon Henderson
The rookie has to break off a big game at some point, right? And, given how poorly the Bills have defended the run so far this season, this week feels like a good bet for him to have his first truly big game of the season.
Henderson is a tough runner who hasn’t had as many opportunities as many people thought he’d have here in the early part of the year, but he has tremendous potential against a Buffalo defense allowing a staggering six yards per carry so far this season. Veteran Rhamondre Stevenson has a fumbling problem, and while he has been the No.1 back this year,...
