Bills at Patriots
THE STORY: The directive is simple for the New England Patriots – win and they are the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Currently a game ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, the Patriots control their own destiny. The big news out of New England this week has focused on quarterback Tom Brady, who reportedly is dealing with an injured left (non-throwing) shoulder. Brady, who was voted the AFC Pro Bowl starter at quarterback, needs 103 passing yards to reach 5,000 and 188 to become the second person in the last week to surpass Dan Marino’s 27-year-old record of 5,084. He’ll attempt to hit that mark when the Patriots host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The last time the Bills played New England, in Week 3, they were the surprise team of the NFL and took over the AFC East lead with a 34-31 victory. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 369 yards. Things have not gone quite as well since, as Buffalo fell way off the pace with a seven-game losing streak and is now playing the spoiler role.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Patriots -11, O/U 51.
ABOUT THE BILLS (6-9): Fitzpatrick’s performance against the Patriots in Week 3 helped earn him a big contract extension. But the Harvard product has had trouble matching the promise of that game, hitting 300 yards just one since. Buffalo snapped out of its funk last weekend, throwing a wrench into the Denver Broncos’ playoff plans with a 40-14 win. Fitzpatrick threw for 196 yards but the Bills’ defense did much of the work, returning an interception and a fumble for touchdowns.
ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (12-3): Brady put up 387 yards and four touchdowns but also threw four picks in the Week 3 meeting. He has thrown six picks in the 12 games since and led New England back from a 17-0 deficit last Saturday for a 27-24 win over the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots still have plenty of holes on defense, ranking 32nd in the league in yards allowed. They are especially susceptible to the pass, surrendering just under 300 yards weekly to opposing quarterbacks.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. The Bills are 0-9 all-time at Gillete Stadium.
2. Buffalo will be without starting offensive linemen Demetrius Bell and Kraig Urbik due to knee injuries.
3. Brady needs three TD passes to tie John Elway (300) for fifth in NFL history.