Jenna’s Outlook Week 17: Bills (9-6) vs Patriots (4-11)

The Buffalo Bills are back at home after a hard-fought battle in Los Angeles over the holiday weekend. That game was never going to be a walk in the park, considering that the Chargers were injected with new life from an interim head coach. One may have called it a ‘trap game’, something that the Bills are all too familiar with. Nevertheless, despite a three turnover performance, Buffalo came out with a much needed win to extend their playoff hopes. In fact, there is an opportunity for them to clinch a playoff spot this week, if all things fall into place! But first, they’ll need to beat the New England Patriots.

This is actually the first time the Bills have played a 1:00 pm game since Week 7, when they last faced the Patriots. Oh, and how things have changed. Ken Dorsey is no longer the Bills’ offensive coordinator and Buffalo has found themselves a run game. There are new faces on the defense, such as CB Rasul Douglas and DT Linval Joseph. DT Ed Oliver will be in the lineup this time. Perhaps, DT DaQuan Jones may return after having his 21-day practice window opened up. Still, this game won’t be easy. The Bills are in playoff mode, so they must prepare each week like they are about to face extinction. Given that the Patriots already beat the Bills once this season, it is not out of the realm of possibility that it may happen again. How do the Bills avoid another upset?

Matchups to Watch

Buffalo Bills Run Offense vs. New England Patriots Run Defense

Just a couple weeks ago, the Bills were running the ball at will against the Cowboys. They cooled down a bit against the Chargers, rushing for only 105 yards on 30 attempts. That was the lowest rushing output they’ve had since Joe Brady became the interim offensive coordinator. RB James Cook ran for 70 yards on 20 attempts. Whatever Los Angeles did to game plan for the Bills run offense, it sure worked.

This week, the Bills will face a Patriots team that is amongst the league’s best in run defense. They are second in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (84.8 yards) and first in the league in rushing yards per attempt (3.2 yards/attempt). Whether or not the Bills can find a way to bypass their stout run defense will help determine their success on offense Sunday afternoon.

Bills Defense vs. Bailey Zappe

This will be the first time that the Bills will face sophomore QB Bailey Zappe, who replaced Mac Jones in Week 13. Since then, the New England Patriots are 2-2. Zappe has completed 67.5% of his passes and thrown for six touchdowns and two interceptions. With a four game sample size, the Bills will be forced to game plan for a Patriots QB who has provided some functionality to their offense.

Prediction: The Bills Pass Game Improves

For the past three games, the Buffalo Bills’ passing game has left more to be desired. Where is Dalton Kincaid? What has happened to Diggs’ production? These are the two players who I believe must get involved in the offense for this final stretch of games. Although every game has basically been a playoff game since the bye week, it is paramount that the passing game gets figured out before it all begins to actually count. Fortunately, the Bills have been finding ways to win despite their offense not firing on all cylinders. Perhaps they may get hot at the right time.

Conclusion

The Buffalo Bills may or may not be preparing for their final home game of the season. That is a lot to take in for me right now. But, rest assured, there is still a lot of football left to be played before the final playoff seedings are set in stone. 

In Week 18, the Bills will face the Miami Dolphins, in what could very well be a championship game in and of itself. We won’t know whether that game will matter all that much to the Bills until Week 17 is finished.

Featured Image Credit: Associated Press