The New England Patriots are an interesting draw for the Buffalo Bills at this point in the season. Yes, the Patriots are 11-2, trending toward their first AFC East title since 2019, thanks in large part to their Week 5 win in Buffalo.
But since that game, the Patriots haven’t exactly played in the NFL’s most marquee matchups. The only team they have since played with a realistic shot of being in the playoffs was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have lost five of their last seven games.
There are weaknesses hidden in this Patriots squad that many of their opponents have not been well-built enough to exploit. If the Bills can capitalize on them, they may be able to stave off New England from clinching the AFC East title this Sunday.
Exploiting Patriots weaknesses is crucial for Buffalo Bills to stay in AFC East race
Attack their front seven in the run game
The Patriots carry the league’s third-ranked rushing defense this week. However, they’ve allowed 110+ yards on the ground in each of their last four games.
A big reason why is the absence of free-agent pickup Milton Williams, who has been out since suffering an ankle injury in Week 11 that landed him on Injured Reserve. Of course, there are great run defenders dotted all across New England’s defense, so it won’t be a walk in the park, even for Buffalo’s top-ranked rushing attack.
While seemingly everyone is anticipating a shootout, the Bills have been dominant on the ground in recent weeks, including a 143-yard performance against the Houston Texans’ 5th-ranked rushing defense, 249 yards on the Steelers, and 183 against Cincinnati last week.
Chunk plays helped boost those numbers, but ball control and a powerful redzone rushing attack can keep Buffalo in control of the game. Once the Bills are in striking distance, the Patriots have the league’s worst defense at preventing red zone touchdowns. Of the league-best 26 trips they’ve allowed, 73.1% have resulted in touchdowns
READ MORE: Patriots expert reveals huge secrets ahead of anticipated division showdown
Overwhelm Vederian Lowe at left tackle
The Patriots are without their stud rookie left tackle Will Campbell, who was sidelined for what will likely be the remainder of the regular season with a knee sprain back in Week 12. Vederian Lowe, who is battling an abdominal injury this week, will start in his place.
Lowe has started 23 games for the Patriots over the past three seasons, so he’s got some experience. But he isn’t Campbell. Still, where credit is due, he stepped up last week against a formidable Giants pass rush, allowing just three pressures.
Nonetheless, if Joey Bosa is back in the lineup, it’ll be his job to terrorize the backup tackle, and subsequently, the young quarterback he's tasked with protecting.
Stand tall in the red zone defensively
Not only is the Patriots’ defense the worst in the league at preventing red zone touchdowns, but their offense is far from efficient in that area of the field, too. The Patriots have reached the red zone 47 times this season, tied with the Bills for the seventh-most trips in the NFL.
However, whereas the Bills have scored touchdowns on 61% of their trips, which ranks ninth, the Patriots have scored touchdowns on just 51%, which ranks 24th.
Assuming the Patriots are able to move the ball with some regularity, the Bills' defense must stiffen up in the red zone to preserve their advantage. Buffalo’s red zone defense ranks 20th in the NFL, so it’s not their biggest strength either. But the tale of the tape does lean in Buffalo’s favor in this regard, so it’s imperative that they come out on top in these situations to keep the pressure on New England.