Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots: Wild Card Weekend pregame notes

If there was ever a time to make a statement, the opportunity has arrived

The Patriots have dominated the AFC East for the better part of two decades. From 2001-2007, the Patriots won six division titles. And then from 2009-2019, the Patriots won the division in consecutive years. Eleven straight division banners. And the Buffalo Bills had never been good enough to make the division competitive or knock the Patriots out of the playoffs.

Recently, the Bills have made the playoffs in four of the last five seasons and won back-to-back division titles. Much of the credit for Buffalo’s success is due to its front office and coaching staff. Upon the arrival of Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane, the Bills made a number of personnel moves to build the roster the way they envisioned. Now, the Bills have a roster to compete and earn perennial nods to the postseason.

Bills fans have endured the drought years. They have experienced first round playoff exits and even an AFC Championship appearance. But since 1963, these two teams haven’t met in the postseason. For Buffalo to assert its dominance on the division for years to come, today is an opportunity for the team to make a statement and end New England’s season.