3 bold predictions for the New England Patriots Wild Card matchup

New England Patriots bold prediction No. 2: Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson both find the end zone

In their two prior meetings against the Bills this season, the Patriots leaned heavily on their ground game to move the ball. Given that the forecast is calling for temperatures in the single digits, it will probably be a similar story again.

Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson has proved to be one of the most dangerous running back duos in the league when healthy, but it always seems like one of them is missing from action, usually Harris. Both backs should be good to go against Buffalo, and they will be needed in a big way to help rookie quarterback Mac Jones ease his way into the action.

Harris in particular could be the difference maker in this one. In the two games against Buffalo, Harris ran the ball 28 times for 214 yards and four touchdowns. That also ignores the fact that he missed virtually all of the second half of their first meeting this season, so those numbers probably could be even better all things considered.

The Bills are going to do everything in their power to stop the Patriots ground game, and force Jones to win this game for New England. And while they will probably have some sort of success limiting them, they aren’t going to be able to fully stop them, especially if Jones can establish himself through the air and get the play-action working.

Harris and Stevenson are going to have to pick up Jones when they can, and here’s betting they will. The Bills have showed no signs of stopping the run in the red zone, and that trend should continue against the Patriots power run game. Both of the Pats top two running backs will hit pay dirt in this one, ensuring the offense capitalizes on their few red zone entries.