5 Buffalo Bills to watch in Wild Card matchup with the Patriots

Greg Rousseau

One of the keys to the game for the Buffalo Bills is slowing down the Patriots’ run game and forcing Mac Jones to throw the ball more. In past games, I have identified Harrison Phillips as a key player to watch, and while he is still going to be important, defensive end Greg Rousseau is one player that I am watching this week.

Rousseau has played very well in his first year in the NFL and with the Buffalo Bills. The former first round pick was expected to be brought along slowly but he earned a starting spot right from the start and has remained in that role all season.

The reason why Rousseau is important this week is that he not only can make an impact by putting pressure on Mac Jones and making him uncomfortable in the pocket but he also has done a good job against the run. The defensive end has a big responsibility of setting the edge and forcing the run play back into the middle of the field, to a place that hopefully Harrison Phillips and Ed Oliver are waiting the make the play.

In Greg Rousseau’s first career playoff game, he could be a key player to the Buffalo Bills’ success on Saturday night.