Nick Wright continues to dig in his heels.
The Patriots’ 34-13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15 did little to silence Wright’s doubts about New England, as the polarizing pundit predicted Friday on FS1’s “First Things First” that Tom Brady and Co. will lose to the Buffalo Bills in Week 16 at Gillette Stadium.
“Now I understand where this game’s being played, and picking the Bills to win in Foxboro seems foolish,” Wright said. “But picking this (Patriots) offense — especially, speaking of injuries, with Julian Edelman dealing with whatever he’s dealing with — to all of a sudden score the requisite points to beat a competent team, to me that seems a little foolish, as well.”
"The Patriots will eventually win the division. I don't think it'll be this weekend b/c I don't think they'll beat Buffalo. Picking the Bills to win in Foxborough seems foolish. But picking this offense … to beat a competent team seems foolish, as well." — @getnickwright pic.twitter.com/cAHNgBc14U
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) December 20, 2019
Wright has been down on the Patriots for a while, questioning several times whether their offense is good enough for New England to repeat as Super Bowl champions. On Thursday, he pointed to Brady’s track record against the Bills since Sean McDermott took over as Buffalo’s head coach in 2017.
Tom Brady vs. Sean McDermott's Bills in 5 games:
Comp Pct: 61.4
Yards/Pass: 6.5
TDs: 3
INTs: 5
Pass Rtg: 73.9"That's not just bad for Brady, that's bad for anybody." — @getnickwright pic.twitter.com/aK3TvKHyvb
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) December 20, 2019
The Patriots’ offense hasn’t looked right this season despite New England’s 11-3 record. The unit’s been plagued by inconsistency across the board, with Brady, the running backs, the receivers, the tight ends, the offensive line and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels all deserving of blame.
But New England still can clinch its 11th consecutive AFC East title with a win Sunday. And even if the Patriots lose to the Bills, as Wright suggests, Bill Belichick’s bunch can secure a divisional crown with a Week 17 victory over the listless Miami Dolphins.
