Patriots-Bills Week 8 Predictions
BOSTON (CBS) -- Patriots-Bills: Round 2.
The Bills beat the Patriots back in Week 4 in Gillette, an afternoon that featured some pre-game nonsense at the hands of the Bills. Buffalo then went out and handed New England their only loss of the season by getting the best of their third-string quarterback, and then celebrated like they had just won the Super Bowl.
Read: Patriots-Bills Game Preview
The Patriots are treating Sunday's tilt like just another divisional game, which are always important in the grand scheme of an NFL season. Here's how the CBS Boston sports team sees Sunday afternoon in Buffalo playing out:
Steve Burton, WBZ-TV Sports
The last time the Patriots got swept by the Bills was 17 years ago, so do you really think it's going to happen again? Don't think so.
This game is personal. Not only did the Pats lose the first time around, they got punked before the game when the Bills they shoved quarterback Jacoby Brissett in warmups. But now Tom Brady is back, ready to avenge that Week 4 loss.
Patriots 34, Buffalo 14
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV Sports
You have to believe there's no way Bill Belichick and company allow a series sweep by the Bills. There are no excuses for the Pats as they are as healthy as they're going to be all season.
The defense needs to start forcing more turnovers. But Brady will have the offense rolling in Orchard Park.
Patriots 41, Bills 21
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV Sports
I'm having a hard time with this game. I know the Pats are not calling this a revenge game but I don't believe that. Not being swept by a division opponent is at stake, something that hasn't happened to the Patriots in 15 straight seasons.
I feel both teams have flipped the switch. Last time out, no Tom Brady for the Pats and Gronk was slowed by a hamstring injury. This time, the Bills have a ton of injuries and LeSean McCoy might not play because of his hamstring.
I like the Pats in this one. I know the Rex Ryan's defense will give Brady a tough time but the Pats will run the ball. That alone will flip the defense.
Patriots 27, Bills 20
Adam Kaufman, 98.5 The Sports Hub/WBZ NewsRadio
Tom Brady's available this time, Rob Gronkowski's healthy while LeSean McCoy's not, and the Bills still have an attitude problem.
Seems like a good recipe for another Patriots win, a 7-1 start, and an eighth straight AFC East title - and before Halloween! Scary how good this franchise is. Sorry.
I learned my lesson scoffing at the Bills in Week 4, suggesting the Pats would win even with Julian Edelman at QB (not that we got to find out). Buffalo handed New England its first home shutout loss since 1993, when Drew Bledsoe was a 21-year-old rookie. But, really, the Pats have won 28 of their last 32 meetings and haven't been swept by an AFC East foe since 2002. The Bills' defense and Tyrod Taylor's play-making abilities should be respected, but that streak won't end this weekend - especially if Shady isn't full-go.
Did I mention Gronkowski has 474 yards and six touchdowns in five career games in his hometown, and he's also ONE score away from his 69th? No chance that doesn't happen this weekend. None.
Patriots 27, Bills 13
Mike "Sarge" Riley, 98.5 The Sports Hub/WBZ NewsRadio
Tom Brady and Julian Edelman started getting comfortable with each other last week, and I think that's a step in the right direction for this week. Expect Julian to have over 100 receiving yards and a touchdown, and LeGarrette Blount will have another 100+ day on the ground with a score. This is definitely Rex Ryan's Super Bowl, but he won't have the same success he had in Week 4.
Patriots 24, Bills 18
Rob "Hardy" Poole, 98.5 The Sports Hub
How many Ryan brothers are there in Buffalo? Two.
That's how many points the Patriots are going to score in their win.
Patriots 2, Bills 0
Tune in to Sunday's Patriots-Bills game on WBZ-TV and 98.5 The Sports Hub -- the flagship stations of the New England Patriots. Pregame coverage begins on 98.5FM with Patriots Preview at 10am, with three hours of postgame reaction and analysis after the game. Coverage begins with Patriots GameDay at 11:30am on WBZ-TV, and you can see Bill Belichick and Tom Brady's press conferences LIVE on Patriots 5th Quarter after the game!