On Sunday afternoon, the New England Patriots will play their biggest game in years when they host the Buffalo Bills for a pivotal Week 15 showdown.
Not only is it a late-season divisional game, but it’s also a chance for the Patriots to clinch their first AFC East title since 2019.
It won’t be easy for New England, however, which is listed as a slight home underdog. While the Patriots are coming off their bye week, the Bills are the toughest team they’ve faced in weeks.
Furthermore, New England already beat Buffalo back in Week 5, and it’s notoriously difficult to sweep a division rival during the NFL regular season.
Look no further than 2021 — the last time both teams made the playoffs. Just like this year, the Patriots won their first meeting of the season on the road.
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New England lost its rematch with the Bills at home in Week 16, however, before losing to them again in the playoffs.
Furthermore, Buffalo hasn’t been swept by a division rival since 2019. In fact, the Bills are 8-0 since 2021 against opponents who already beat them earlier in the season.
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The Patriots have a rest advantage, which should help, along with home-field advantage. They’re also riding a 10-game winning streak, so momentum is on their side.
Buffalo is coming off back-to-back wins, however, and is 5-2 since its bye week. The Bills boast one of the best offenses in the NFL, but their defense has struggled lately and is exploitable.
New England is a different team this year under Mike Vrabel, and it will get another chance to prove that on Sunday.
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Featured image via Mark Konezny/Imagn Images
