Patriots Bills Thursday Night Showdown

By: Steve Atkinson

The Patriots play the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night in Foxborough. The Patriots are currently the 8th seed in the AFC and out of the playoffs. The Bills are in second place in the AFC East and pretty much a big game for both teams. The Patriots could improve to 7-5 on the season or fall to 6-6 and more out of the playoff picture. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Patriots lose on Thursday night based on the Bills being the better all-around football team.

Josh Allen has had statement games against the Patriots since 2020. Allen is 3-1 with 13 touchdowns zero interceptions 1,087 passing yards, 204 rushing yards, and a passer rating of 122.5. Josh Allen and the Bills have stuffed it in the face of the Patriots and have been dominant against them. Why would Thursday’s game be any different? The defense got torched by the Bills offense in the playoff game last year. The Patriot’s defense has done well against the bad teams but didn’t do great against Minnesota. They will have to be on top of their game to even have a chance against Stefon Diggs, Josh Allen, and the Buffalo offense. We will know after Thursday if the Patriots defense is for real or not.

Mac Jones and the offense looked better last Thursday against the Vikings. The real test will be how will the Patriots look this Thursday against the Bills. The Patriots offense scored points however, they didn’t score when it mattered in the fourth quarter. The protection was better against the Vikings but that needs to carry for the rest of the season. The offense has been putrid for most of the season thanks to the coaching staff and offensive line.

Mac Jones spoke Sunday about the matchup against the Bills.

I think they’re playing really good on defense, like they have the past few years. Doing some really good stuff. Definitely added a few things. I’ve watched them on film obviously, and watched them on crossover film. So they look like a really good defense. Great players at every level, really well coached, attack the football, they rally to the ball, all the things that they’ve done for a long time. It’s a great defense and a big challenge. So we’re just going to work and see where we’re at.

How does the Patriots confidence shift whether they win or lose on Thursday? I think if they lose the confidence on the team may have some cracks. After the Bills game they got the Cardinals and Raiders which are both winnable games. But then come home to the Bengals and Miami. Then closing the season at Buffalo. I still think the Patriots finish 9-8 and miss the playoffs. I don’t think the offense is good enough to win close games or beat good teams. That is in part of Belichick deciding to have his friends be on his offensive coaching staff.

Here is Bill Belichick talking about Josh Allen the other day

 Yeah, he’s very dangerous out of the pocket, he’s dangerous in the pocket. So just team defense. Playing with our leverage, using our teammates help, them being where they need to be, being aggressive. He’s a hard guy to get and you can’t just stand there and watch him throw because he’ll throw it pretty good, too. So it’ll be a challenge for us.

I think the Patriots lose on Thursday and fall to 6-6 on the season. It’s going to be a great challenge going up against that Buffalo team that I don’t think they are ready to beat them. A lot will be put to the test for the Patriots on both sides of the ball.