NFL Week Eight Preview: New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills

By: Diamond Holton

It’s been a long four weeks since the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills have met. Tom Brady was still on suspension, Jimmy Garoppolo was dealing with a shoulder injury and rookie Jacoby Brissett was the starter with a torn ligament in this right thumb.

Now that’s not to take away from the Bills 16-0 shutout win at Gillette Stadium, but come on let’s be real here. There was no Brady and Brissett was trying his best with more playing time he had seen since the preseason. The defense spent more time on the field than the offense did which tired them out.

“They should be very confident from the way they came in her and played us on the road,” Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty said. “Now, going there, at home, it’s not going to be any easier, and we lost last time.”

That never really stopped Bills HC Rex Ryan from gloating at the podium about his win over Patriots HC Bill Belichick, but things are a little different now. Whether you call him Psycho Tom or Tom Terrific, just know he is back and at the helm causing havoc since he returned in week five against the Cleveland Browns.

In three games he has thrown for over 1,000 yards with eight passing touchdowns and zero interceptions. One of his biggest go-to guys, TE Rob Gronkowski,  recently set had a career-high game last week with 162 yards receiving. Brady’s offensive weapons are intact and ready to take over the AFC the rest of the way.

As for Ryan and his Bills, they could do what has not been done in this century: sweep the New England Patriots. As satisfying as that may sound, there are some minor problems that may prohibit that from happening.

Buffalo may be without RB LeSean McCoy who has been battling a hamstring injury the past couple weeks. WR Sammy Watkins was put on IR and also Robert Woods has been limited in practice and listed as questionable for Sunday afternoon’s game. WR Marquise Goodwin will most likely also be out Sunday due to a concussion.

“We know we have to be more efficient in the running game,” Ryan said. “Especially with some of the injuries that we’ve had outside. You know, if we can’t run the ball, we’re going to be in trouble.”

My prediction for this match-up is Brady leading the Patriots to victory. There will be no sweep of New England at Buffalo.

Patriots 21 Bills 10

Nick Wilcox
Entering his fourth year as a sports writer. Highlighting NFL, NBA, MLB, College Football and Basketball.

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