4 biggest x-factors for the Buffalo Bills in Week 13 against the Patriots

Star Lotulelei (Eli Ankou/Brandin Bryant)

These next two x-factors are more positions than players because there are some questions about if they may play. While the Buffalo Bills may want to establish the run on Monday night, there is no question that the Patriots will lean heavily on the run game.

The Patriots are not an efficient run offense but they are a high-volume rushing attack with Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson. This season, the Bills are averaging more rushing yards per game (118.5 vs. 115.3) but the Patriots have 49 more rushing attempts on the season and averaging 28 rushing attempts per game.

The Buffalo Bills for the most part this season have done a good job against the run and that is due in large part to defensive tackle Star Lotulelei. The hope is that Lotulelei would be back this week after missing the past three games after being placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

If Lotulelei is not able to play this week, the responsibility will fall on Eli Ankou and Brandin Bryant. Both players have been on the practice squad but were called up last week against the Saints and played very well.

The Buffalo Bills defense will want to try and force the Patriots into as many third and longs as possible and that means winning first and second down against the run. If the interior of this defensive line can win that battle, the Bills have a good chance at a win.