We’re at the halfway point of this weird and eventful NFL season, and this game is the biggest one yet. On Sunday the 2-4 New England Patriots travel to Bills Stadium to take on the 5-2 Buffalo Bills.
Date: Sunday, November 1, 2020
Game Time: 1:00 PM EST
Venue: Bills Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
Network: CBS (Ian Eagle & Dan Fouts)
All-time record: Patriots lead series, 76-43-1 (including playoffs)
When They Last Met…
Broncos 17-24 Patriots
December 21, 2019
The first drive of the game saw the Patriots move nicely into Bills territory before Rex Burkhead fumbled after receiving a screen pass from Tom Brady.
Buffalo then counter-attacked before stalling midway into the Patriots side of the field, Josh Allen overthrew Dawson Knox in the end zone and they had to settle for a field goal to take the games first lead. Brady then led the team downfield with completions to Rex Burkhead, N’Keal Harry, Ben Watson, and then finding Matt LaCosse for an eight-yard touchdown score.
The Pats forced Buffalo to punt and came forward driving downfield once again, Brady even became a lead blocker for Harry on a reverse which went for a nice gain. Pats stalled just short of the first down and left it to Nick Folk to kick the field goal.
Once again the Patriots defense held Buffalo to punt and had the ball back inside the final two minutes of the half. On 4th&1 Brady handed off a jet sweep to Harry but he was stopped short by Kevin Johnson who made a terrific tackle.
Somehow with 33 seconds left from the Buffalo 41-yard line, Josh Allen led the Bills downfield on a lighting fast drive. Allen capped off the drive by finding starting left tackle Dion Dawkins, an eligible receiver, for the touchdown. Halftime Bills 10-10 Patriots
After a short Bills possession, the Patriots got the ball back, but stalled and had to call on Folk’s services once more. Folk nailed the 51-yarder to help the Patriots regain the lead. On the very next drive, the Pats thought they had caught Allen on a play-action, but Allen stepped up into the pocket and launched the ball to John Brown who had found some broken coverage for a 53-yard score.
Back to back punts ended the third quarter without any further scoring. Pats started the fourth in the red zone but couldn’t quite squeeze it in, Folk again kicked for three, one-point game.
Some good defensive play by the Patriots forced the Bills to punt once more. The offense managed to get to the Bills one-yard line after a spirited drive, this allowed Burkhead to make amends for his earlier fumble by running it in for the touchdown. Brady’s conversion pass to Julian Edelman was also good which increased the lead to seven.
The Bills weren’t able to convert the final down of their drive and the Patriots knelt to confirm victory. Final- Bills 17-24 Patriots.
Performances
NE
QB Tom Brady 26/33 – 271 YDS – 1 TD
RB Sony Michel RUSH- 21 ATT – 96 YDS
RB Rex Burkhead RUSH- 5 ATT – 20 YDS – 1 TD 4/4 – 77 YDS
LB Dont’a Hightower- 1 PD – 5 TACK – 1.5 SACK
BUF
QB Josh Allen 13/26 – 206 YDS – 2 TD
WR Cole Beasley 7/12 – 108 YDS
How The Patriots Win
The Patriots got ran over by San Francisco last Sunday, this week, it’ll be the passing game they’ll have to stop. Now, the Bills can run the ball, through their backs or Josh Allen himself, but, his passing game has improved and the Pats secondary needs to be ready.
In the fallout this week following the team’s third straight loss, people have been wondering what the future is for this offense. Cam Newton will be the starting quarterback this Sunday, but he needs to offer something to show he can still lead this team, the passing game also needs to show signs of life.
The receiving group has to pull their weight in getting this offense going also, and they may have to do it without N’Keal Harry who was injured during the 49ers matchup. Finding separation and space has been an issue so far for this inexperienced group, they really need to have a better game this week.
So, simply, the Patriots need to stop the pass and establish it themselves, I don’t think we’ll see the same sort of rush attack that San Fran gave us. Let’s see.
Player Spotlight – Joe Cardona
The Patriots love drafting a special teams player in the fifth-round, and in 2015, they picked Joe Cardona, long snapper out of Navy, making him only the fourth pure long snapper drafted in NFL history.
Cardona, who majored in economics, was a four-year starter for the Academy during his collegiate career. In his first year, he had his Navy service requirements delayed until after his rookie season. During the 2016 season, Cardona was granted permission to play the forthcoming season from the U.S Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus.
After completing his service requirements, Cardona signed a new four-year deal with the Patriots in 2018, cementing his place as a lock in every year as a core special teams player.
He remains an officer in the U.S Naval Reserve, where he holds the rank of Lieutenant.
Familiar Faces
Former Patriots
Coaching Staff
OC Brian Daboll (Defensive Coaching Assistant (2000-01), Wide Receivers Coach (2002-06), Offensive Assistant (2013), Tight Ends Coach (2014-16).
Former Bills
Players
CB Stephon Gilmore (2012-16)
Did you know? – Former Patriot coach Brian Daboll won Super Bowl XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX and LI with the Patriots.
Broken Records
Here’s some milestones that could be surpassed on Sunday.
RB James White
-Needs two touchdown receptions to tie Larry Garron (26) as most all-time in Patriots history for touchdown receptions by a running back.
S Devin McCourty
-Needs one interception to tie Ron Hall, Roland James, and Fred Marion for third all-time in Patriots history with 29 career interceptions.
WR Julian Edelman
-With one touchdown catch, Edelman will tie Wes Welker with his 37th career touchdown reception, good for sixth-most in team history.
Score Prediction: Patriots 14-20 Bills
I think the Patriots defense puts on a better display and doesn’t allow the Bills to run away with the game completely, but I can’t see this offense outscoring Josh Allen. I do hope I’m wrong, the season, in my opinion, rests on this game.
LFG
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