Here are three suggested keys to the New England Patriots beating the Buffalo Bills in Week 16 at Gillette Stadium in the biggest game of the year thus far.
Let’s take a look at these three keys and how they could impact the fortunes of the Patriots when they take on their tough foes, the Bills.
The importance of this game cannot be overstated. For the Patriots, this is for all the marbles in the AFC East. A win allows them to take command of the Division.
The New England Patriots need solid quarterback play
It’s no secret, the quarterback of any team will be a huge determinant of the outcome of any NFL game or any other football game for that matter.
In this case, it’s New England Patriots rookie quarterback, Mac Jones.
Jones is the key. Yet, if he plays as he did in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts, it will be a long afternoon.
However, if he plays as he usually does, as a top NFL quarterback in completion percentage, he will effectively end the Buffalo Bills challenge for the top of the 2021 NFL AFC East standings.
Jones is an obvious key in this one. Yet, in his previous game against Buffalo, a win, he threw a meager total of three passes (completed two).
That was not an expression of confidence in his passing game at all by his coaching staff, weather conditions notwithstanding. Frankly, it must have been an embarrassment to the young quarterback. It certainly should have been.
The New England Patriots offensive keys
Though the team won that tilt, Mac Jones must have been fuming at the lack of faith Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels showed in him in that pivotal game.
Now it’s Jones’ chance to show them in no uncertain terms that he can win the big games with his arm. This is the biggest one of the season thus far and it’s going to be on him to a great extent.
Jones has to step up his game if the Patriots are to win. He’s shown the accuracy to deliver over the course of the season and win. He’ll have to do it in Week 16. There’s no tomorrow.
Look for Jones to be targeting his excellent tight end, Hunter Henry.
Henry and his nine touchdowns have been major factors in revitalizing the tight end position on the team since Rob Gronkowski’s departure.
After Jones, the second-biggest offensive key to the Patriots beating Buffalo is to again unleash the running game, led by Damien Harris.
With Rhamondre Stevenson out, it all falls on Harris and Brandon Bolden.
Harris and Bolden need to haul the ball for 125-150 yards or so to provide cover for the passing game to salt away the win. If not, New England will likely fall short.
The New England Patriots key to winning on defense is easy … it’s the pass rush
The New England Patriots pass rush, as in any team’s defense, is a key to the overall success of the team on that side of the ball. The challenge is two-fold.
First, the Patriots best pass-rushers, Matt Judon and Kyle Van Noy have to get to Josh Allen and sack him. Forget hits or pressures, it’s all about the sacks.
Secondly, when the pressure is applied up the middle by Christian Barmore and he collapses the pocket, as he surely will, the Patriots outside players have to set the edge and keep Allen from gashing them with big scrambles.
This responsibility will also fall heavily on Judon and Van Noy. Get two or three sacks and keep Allen in the pocket improvising when his pocket gets crushed, and the Patriots’ defense will win it. It’s no easy chore, but it needs to be done.
These are three keys suggested for the New England Patriots to beat the Bills and take control of the AFC East. What do you think are the keys to beating Buffalo?