What’s in store for the 3-1 Buffalo Bills after loss to Patriots?

The Buffalo Bills dropped a heartbreaker to division rival New England last week, spoiling the short undefeated streak in what ended up as a costly loss.

As week four in the NFL ends, the Buffalo Bills now find themselves 3-1 and bitten by the injury bug coming into their game against the Tennessee Titans (2-2). The Bills will be without starting quarterback, Josh Allen, and defensive tackle, Harrison Phillips.

In a late-game helmet-to-helmet hit by Patriots defensive back, Jonathan Jones, Bills starting quarterback Josh Allen would lay motionless before jogging to the sidelines for further evaluation. After play resumed, Bills backup quarterback Matt Barkley replaced him under center.

As the Bills gear up to play the Tennesee Titans- a team led by former Oregon product, Marcus Mariota who has yet to throw an interception, a state the Bills defense will look to change. The book is out on Mariota as his fate in Tennessee is yet to be determined.

Playing in the final year of his contract, Mariota has 0 interceptions, seven touchdowns, and 933 passing yards. But, with his up and down past summarized by his 38:21 career touchdown-interception ratio, it is fair to say Mariota’s hot-streak could come to an end against Buffalo on Sunday.

Speaking of the Bills defense, they continue to be the main talking point around this team as they rank second in the NFL with 280 yards-per game but will be without interior defensive lineman, Harrison Phillips.

Phillips, who has been a large player on the Bills front suffered a torn ACL and was confirmed by head coach, Sean McDermott that he would miss the remainder of the 2019/20 season. Because of this injury, veteran Star Lotulelei and the second-year Oregon State product, Kyle Peko will command the defensive line position next to rookie Ed Oliver and Jordan Phillips.

On the offensive side of the ball, Bills backup quarterback Matt Barkley is likely to get the start as Ian Rapoport of the NFL announced on Tuesday on Good Morning Football that Josh Allen has officially entered the NFL’s Concussion Protocol.

Barkley had a good showing during his preseason as he threw for 378 yards, three touchdowns all while throwing zero interceptions. Facing off against the Tennessee defense this week, Barkley will be leaned on to repeat his preseason flashes of greatness.

This week, Barkley is poised to get rookie running back Devin Singletary back from a hamstring injury that kept him out weeks three and four after being sidelined after week two against the Jets.

With Titans starting tackle, Taylor Lewan, coming back from suspension, the Bills defensive line will have to test him early and often in combination with the offense letting Barkley feel out the game. If all goes right, the Bills will be nipping at the heels of their rival Patriots for the top seed in the AFC East.