Pats-Bills Predictions
BOSTON (CBS) – The New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills battle it out on Sunday in a matchup of two 2-0 teams.
The CBSBoston Sports team weighs in on what the Pats need to do to beat Buffalo, and who will move on to 3-0 when the game clock hits zero.
Walt Perkins, WBZ NewsRadio 1030
All things, good or bad, come to an end. Will that be the case Sunday in Buffalo when the Patriots face the Bills?
The Patriots own a 15-game winning streak against Buffalo, the longest such streak in the NFL, but there is some concern among Patriots' fans as to whether that streak will continue. The Bills are playing with a lot of confidence after starting the season with two straight wins. In New England, such starts are expected. That said there is some concern about these Patriots. Namely, can the defense start playing like the Bill Belichick defenses Patriots fans have come to know and love?
It doesn't help that safety Patrick Chung will be a spectator on Sunday having undergone surgery this week to repair a broken thumb. It doesn't help that Mike Wright is out with a concussion. It doesn't help that defensive lineman Myron Pryor has been placed on Injured reserve ending his season. It remains to be seen whether Albert Haynesworth will be on the field Sunday. He missed Thursday's practice with a back injury.
Read: Walt Perkins' Sports Blog
Those facts don't bode well given the Patriots are about to face the top offense in the NFL. The Bills are averaging 193 yards rushing per game and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has developed into a solid NFL quarterback. He's not Tom Brady, but he rarely makes the kind of mistake that will cost his team a win.
Speaking of Brady, he may be down a weapon on Sunday. Tight end Aaron Hernandez is rumored to be out for the next few weeks with a strained MCL, yet he was seen in the Patriots locker room on Thursday sans crutch, brace, wiggle or wobble.
But given the way Brady runs the offense, spreading the wealth to involve everyone, it's as close to a 'plug 'n play' unit that you will see. If Hernandez is out, that's just a few more receptions for everyone else.
Expect a shootout. This won't be a 10-7 game. It might be another case of both QB's tossing for 400+ yards. In the end, however, the Patriots will be too much.
Prediction: New England 47, Buffalo 35.
Scott Zolak, 98.5 The Sports Hub
My keys to the weekend will be watching the safeties. Patrick Chung is likely out and Josh Barrett's playing with a cast which is going to limit his tackling ability against a Bills team that has got pretty good perimeter people.
The key though to this game is what are you going to do post-Aaron Hernandez; who's moving around? Is it going to be Gronkowski?
New England needs to start fast, get up on the Bills early, and take that crowd that's going to be amped up out of the gate early. Set the tone, go up to Orchard Park and show them why you're going to be 3-0 and win by 28 at the end of this game.
Andy Gresh, 98.5 The Sports Hub
I think there are three things the Patriots have to do to be able to win this week.
Number one; score early. If they win the toss get the football make sure they take that crowd out of the game. That's a 2-0 team and their fans are starting to believe.
Watch: The Gresh & Zo Whiteboard
Number two; they better make sure they take care of their quarterback because when backed up into their own end Buffalo gets incredibly aggressive. They like to bring the blitz they know that's their way to get pressure.
And third; they've got to be physical on the perimeter players for the Bills. They run a lot of sets with no running backs; they run a lot of sets where they're empty, got to be physical on the outside with those guys.
Steve Burton, WBZ-TV
After 15 straight times of losing to the Patriots, you would think Buffalo is due for a win. But not this week.
Yes they may be 2-0 but look at who they've beaten; an awful Kansas City team and the no-defense Raiders (and they barely squeaked by them).
This is the game where Chad Ochocinco can really break out. Aaron Hernandez is out, and Brady may look to Ocho on a more regular basis.
As far as the defense, they still have not totally clicked. Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has hurt teams with his arm but he can be more dangerous with his legs. If the Patriots keep him in the pocket, they could rattle him. And who says a Harvard grad can't be rattled?
Tom Brady has been named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week two weeks in a row; can he sustain what he is doing? He can, but it won't be easy. Buffalo has a lot of pride and this year, at least in Week 3, they don't plan on being pushed around.
Prediction: Patriots 28-17
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV
This is an interesting game for both teams. A win for the patriots and they are 2-0 in the AFC East with both wins coming on the road. A win for the Bills and their respectability and confidence numbers are boosted significantly.
Tough to bet against Tom Brady. Coming off his MVP numbers of 2010 when he threw 36 TD's and only 4 INT's, Brady has thrown for 7 TD's and only 1 pick in the first two games. He loses an explosive weapon in Aaron Hernandez, but that can be made up for with the help of Danny Woodhead, Ochocinco, Branch, Gronk, etc..
The Bills offense is improving and balanced through two games. Ryan Fitzpatrick has put up 7 TD's and an interception with half as many yards as Brady, but the Bills lead the NFL in rushing yards as they're averaging close to 200 yards per game with Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller leading the way. It will be a good test for Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo, and company and will keep them honest as far as the Bills passing game goes.
Read: Dan Roche's Sports Blog
I think the Pats will jump out to a big lead, but the Bills may come back. Buffalo has outscored its opponents 56-14 in the second half and came from way back last week to nip Oakland.
I like the Patriots as they have won 15 straight over the Bills, including seven straight in Buffalo. As long as the Pats have Tom Brady...you have to like them.
Prediction: Pats 31-24
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV
The biggest problem I see in this game is the Buffalo Bills believe they are better than they are. That could be a huge problem. The Pats are going to face the league's top scoring offense. Ryan Fitzpatrick is running the Chan Gailey style to a tee. The Bills have something to prove and this weekend could be the proving ground. 15 straight victories is something that squad has heard all week-long. They could be getting sick of it and have something to say about it.
For the Pats, they have Tom Brady and he's been en fuego. The 2- time AFC offensive player of the week is tearing defenses apart. Against the Bills last year, the Pats ran the ball well in both games and they may mix it up and do that again. Aaron Hernandez missing means more catches for Ochocinco and this can be a game that he thrives in.
Read: Levan Reid's Patriots Blog
The Pats defense should catch a break because the Bills receivers are smaller than the ones they have faced in the first two games of the season. I think the Pats will win this game but I don't think it will be a blow out. The Bills will give the Patriots their best shot.
Prediction: Pats win 37-30
