Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots will face each other in the NFL Playoffs battle on Saturday evening. The hosts eye their second straight win over this rival and fifth consecutive victory overall. The away side hasn’t played well lately, and they need to improve to be successful here.
It’s going to be Buffalo’s third home game in a row, and they look forward to continuing the winning streak. Nevertheless, the stake is much higher in this one, and the home side wants to stay in the race for the Lombardi trophy. On the other hand, New England searches for stability, as the visitors haven’t been too successful lately.
Buffalo Bills – Can they continue the run?
After a few ups and downs during the regular season, the Bills sprinted to the top spot in the AFC East. Thanks to four straight wins, the home side locked the pole position with an 11-6 record. Buffalo has improved its offensive work lately, which helped them keep the streak going. The Bills go to this clash after beating New York Jets 27-10 in the closing round of the regular season. They held the Jets to only 53 yards in the offense, and it was easy for them to record a success in that match.
Josh Allen has thrown for 4,407 yards so far, with 36 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, while he has been sacked 26 times. Devin Singletary and Josh Allen lead the Bills’ ground game with a combined 1,633 rushing yards and 13 scores. Stefon Diggs is Buffalo’s best receiver with 1,225 yards and ten touchdown receptions, while Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders generated 600+ receiving yards each. Defensively, Tremaine Edmunds has a team-high 108 total tackles, while Mario Addison sacked the opponent quarterbacks seven times.
Expected Line-Up (Offense): Devin Singletary, Stefon Diggs, Emmanuel Sanders, Cole Beasley, Dawson Knox, Reggie Gilliam, Dion Dawkins, Ryan Bates, Mitch Morse, Daryl Williams, Spencer Brown
Expected Line-Up (Defense): Greg Rousseau, Ed Oliver, Harrison Phillips, Jerry Hughes, Matt Milano, Tremaine Edmunds, A.J. Klein, Taron Johnson, Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, Levi Wallace
Quarter Back: Josh Allen
Kicker: Tyler Bass
with best odds
New England Patriots – Will they improve the game?
The AFC East top spot slipped from the Pats’ hands after three defeats in the last four rounds saw them having a 10-7 record. They finished second, just a win behind their upcoming rivals. New England hoped that the Bills might get complacent against the Jets, but the Patriots were the team to suffer a defeat in Week 18 of the regular season. Miami Dolphins stunned them last weekend with a 33-24 victory, and three turnovers cost the Pats a win.
Mac Jones has gone 3,801 yards through the air, with 22 touchdowns and 13 picks, while the opponent’s defenders sacked him 28 times. Damien Harris has been the best rusher for New England with 929 yards and 15 scores, while Rhamondre Stevenson gained 606 rushing yards and five TDs. Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne lead the Pats’ receiving department with 800+ yards each, while Hunter Henry and Nelson Agholor have combined for 1,076 receiving yards and 12 touchdown receptions. On the other hand, Ja’Whaun Bentley has 109 total tackles, while Matthew Judon logged 12.5 sacks.
Expected Line-Up (Offense): Rhamondre Stevenson, N’Keal Harry, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, Hunter Henry, Jakob Johnson, Justin Herron, Mike Onwenu, Ted Karras, Shaq Mason, Trent Brown
Expected Line-Up (Defense): Deatrich Wise Jr., Carl Davis, Davon Godchaux, Chase Winovich, Matt Judon, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Kyle Van Noy, J.C. Jackson, Justin Bethel, Devin McCourty, Joejuan Williams
Quarter Back: Mac Jones
Kicker: Gunner Olszewski
Expert Pick #1 – Buffalo Bills -4 @-110
These two sides faced each other on the last weekend of December, and the Bills celebrated a 33-21 win on the road. New England will have selection troubles, especially in defense, and the home side should capitalize on that. I’m backing Buffalo ATS as my first pick.
Expert Pick #2 – Over 44 @-110
I anticipate a great battle between the two division rivals, and it should result in an efficient clash. Although their latest encounter at Highmark Stadium stayed under the margin, I believe they will produce at least 44 points in this one. Give me the Over as my second bet.
Expert Pick #3 – Bills Over 26 @+115
Buffalo has been very efficient in the past few rounds, producing 27+ points in each of their last five games. I expect them to continue in the same fashion and score at least 26 in this encounter. The plus money odds on this one are pretty attractive, and it’s going to be my third pick.
