The Buffalo Bills will host against the New England Patriots in Week 17 and will look to avoid a sweep against them as they lost to this Patriots team back in Week 7. The Bills' offense was once again stagnant for most of that game with Ken Dorsey as OC. However, what was even more embarrassing was Mac Jones's fantastic performance against the Bills' defense, including his game-winning touchdown pass to defeat the Bills 29-25.
The Bills team will look at this game as a revenge game and try to gameplan against a different Patriots offense as Mac Jones won't be the man under center in the Patriots offense, rather Bailey Zappe will be the one taking snaps. The Patriots are also coming off a big win against the Broncos, to which they will have some momentum rolling. However, this time they will also be facing the Bills Mafia crowd, which is never an easy task.
The Bills also have some momentum rolling as they have a three-win streak. However, the win last week wasn't a pretty one, and there are still some mistakes that players have to correct if they want to be successful moving forward. Other players just underperformed and were not a huge factor in the Chargers' game at all, and they will need to step up in this upcoming game against the Patriots.
Stefon Diggs
Diggs hasn't been a huge factor in the offense since Week 12 against the Eagles, other than that, he hasn't been that dominant number-one option on the offense. This could be due to the change in scheme with Joe Brady as OC, but there were a good amount of drops that Diggs had that were very uncharacteristic.
Diggs is still a very talented receiver, but the Bills will need to utilize him going forward, especially against a weak Patriots secondary. Re-establishing that chemistry between Diggs and Allen will help the Bills in future games (assuming they can make the postseason). Diggs hasn't finally recorded a 100-yard game since Week 6, and involving him in the game plan this week will be crucial in dominating this Patriots team.
James Cook
Being two-dimensional is crucial in any NFL game, and that wouldn't be possible for the Bills offense unless they get James Cook going. Cook still had 20 attempts but only recorded 70 yards while also fumbling the ball in the fourth quarter to help give the Chargers the lead.
Cook was great in his four-game stretch since Joe Brady took over, but ended up having an off game. Cook is still a very dangerous back and will be dangerous down the stretch, so expect him to have an impact against the Patriots and get right back to cooking.
Deonte Harty
Harty has been a good returner for the Bills this season, as he's averaging a little over nine yards per return, but nothing that's blown anyone away. Harty is rarely used in the offense and needs to try and be an impactful special teamer if he wants to keep his spot on the team. However, Harty had a costly fumble in the first quarter last game which helped put the Chargers ahead by 10 points and overall shifting momentum.
Harty is in no position to make a mistake like that, especially when there are players like Andy Isabella on the practice squad and even Leonard Fourtnette, who's starting to field kicks. Harty can't afford to make any more mistakes like that, or else his job is in real danger.
Dalton Kincaid
Kincaid is another player who's had a stretch of success with the Bills but has rarely been a factor since then. Ever since the return of Knox, he's rarely been a factor and used more as a blocker. Kincaid hasn't been too consistent as a receiver, as he's had some bad drops during the season, which shifts to the veteran Knox getting more targets rather than the rookie.
Kincaid has had his fair share of dropped passes recently, which is a little concerning due to his given role in this offense. Although there can be some benefit of the doubt, given that he's a rookie and is still having some growing pains. However, the offense needs him in some upcoming games, maybe even this one against the Patriots if Diggs or Davis don't become big factors in the passing game.
Josh Allen
This may be a bit far-fetched, as Josh Allen is coming off a good game against the Chargers. Yet early in that game, Allen seemed a bit off, and of course, there are always times when a quarterback may be off their game, especially at the start, but there were a couple of big missed throws from Allen in that game that could've resulted in big gains or maybe even a touchdown.
Allen was able to bounce back in the second quarter, but there were still a couple of little things he could've done to make that game more out of reach from the Chargers, one thing being his interception. Allen threw across his body on the run to try and hit Diggs deep, but ended up underthrowing him, resulting in the defender getting an easy interception. Allen would mention in the press conference that the interception was a "bonehead" decision and that he "should've set up before that throw" (rather than throwing on the run across his body).
Allen was able to redeem himself in that game, and fans shouldn't be too concerned with Allen's play going into this week. Allen will look for a taste of revenge against the Patriots, and try to lead the Bills to a chance at not just winning the division, but a chance at the two seed in the conference (if everything else plays in the Bills' favor).