The Buffalo Bills (9-4) are looking to stay hot after winning back-to-back games over the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals.
They will visit the New England Patriots in Week 15, who are riding a 10-game winning streak and sit atop the AFC East. Still, the Bills enter as 1.5-point favorites.
Here are Bills Wire’s three keys to victory against the Patriots:
Better third-down defense
In last week’s win over the Bengals, the Bills defense allowed Joe Burrow and company to convert on 10-of-12 third-down attempts. They struggled to get off the field on the money downs. This week, Drake Maye offers a similar challenge to Burrow. Maye has a 102.4 passer rating on third downs this year, which is good for second in the NFL among QBs who have played 10 games.
Pressure Maye
The Patriots offensive line is a bit banged up. Rookie fourth-overall pick Will Cambpell (RT) is out, Jared Wilson (LG) just returned to practice after missing last week, and Vederian Lowe (LT) was limited in Thursday’s practice. If Joey Bosa is able to go for the Bills, he could be a big difference-maker off the edge. If the Bills can’t get to Maye, head coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich may have to dial up some blitzes to get the defense going.
Don’t let Marcus Jones hurt you
Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones is statistically the best punt returner in NFL history. His 14.6 yards per punt return is the most in history by almost two full yards.
His two punt-return touchdowns are tied for the most in the NFL this year. His latest was a 94-yarder in Week 13’s win over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.