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Buffalo Bills News and Discussion

Archives for December 26, 2021

Bills Mailbag: Is Cole Beasley a distraction in the locker room?

‘If the Bills lose Sunday and go on to miss the playoffs, Beasley will be left to wonder if his availability would have made a difference in the game. I wouldn’t hold my breath that will change his thinking, though. If we’ve learned one thing about him through this entire ordeal, it’s that he’s going to do what he thinks is best for himself – and himself alone.’

Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots 2021 preview, odds, predictions for Week 16

‘Bills safety Micah Hyde said the key to success against the Patriots over the years has been affecting the quarterback. “If you can somehow get some pressure on him, or affect his arm, tip the ball in the air, stuff like that. We’ve been playing the Patriots around here for awhile and I feel like any time we were able to get pressure on the quarterback you had a pretty good game defensively,” Hyde said. “So that’s always the key to the game, and that’s always something we’re trying to do.”’

Five takes: Bills set for blockbuster matchup with rival Patriots

‘In the two teams’ previous matchup, Tremaine Edmunds struggled to make plays from his linebacker position, including on the long run from Harris. Edmunds will again play a significant role in whether or not the Bills can limit the Patriots’ big-play opportunities this week.’

Will Bills quarterback Josh Allen be able to solve Bill Belichick and the Patriots on Sunday?

‘This will be the seventh time Allen tangles with Belichick. Allen is 2-4 with 8 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and a QB rating of 77. He has completed 55.3 percent of his passes. He has logged three games against Belichick without throwing a pick, including two straight. In the teams’ first meeting this season, it was the howling wind and an unrelenting Patriots rushing attack as much as Belichick’s defensive designs that kept Allen at bay in a 14-10 Patriots triumph.’

Sunday’s New England Coverage

Patriots activate receiver Kendrick Bourne from reserve/COVID-19 list (Boston Globe)
Will Bills quarterback Josh Allen be able to solve Bill Belichick and the Patriots on Sunday? (Boston Globe)
Here’s how ‘Santa Mac’ Jones came through for the Patriots’ offensive line (Boston Globe)
Source: Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne expected to play against Bills after clearing COVID-19 protocols (Boston Herald)
NFL Notes: Bill Belichick’s fourth-down approach has completely flipped over time (Boston Herald)
Damien Harris injury: Patriots running back expected to play vs. Bills Sunday (report) (Springfield Republican)
Kendrick Bourne clears COVID-19 protocol, Patriots make series of roster moves ahead of Bills game (Springfield Republican)
New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills preview: Predictions, point spread, game plans, matchups and more (Springfield Republican)
Patriots can clinch AFC East and/or playoff spot this weekend: Here’s steps that have to happen (Springfield Republican)
Who has been Patriots’ MVP on offense, defense and special teams? (Weekly mailbag) (Springfield Republican)
Patriots’ Kyle Dugger fined $10,520 for altercation, Michael Pittman and T.Y. Hilton escape further discipline (report) (Springfield Republican)
Patriots notebook: AFC East title effectively up for grabs in massive showdown with Buffalo (CBS Sports)
Patriots Rumors: Damien Harris To Play In Divisional Clash Against Bills (NESN)
Did Patriots’ Kendrick Bourne Reveal Week 16 Status With Tweet? (NESN)
Patriots Rumors: New England Receives Good News On COVID-19 Front (NESN)
Patriots Place D-End On COVID List, Activate Wideout Amid Roster Moves (NESN)
Patriots-Bills Live Stream: Watch AFC East Showdown Online, On TV (NESN)
NFL Rumors: Josh McDaniels Receiving Head Coaching Interest (NESN)
New Details On Huge Gift Mac Jones Gave To Patriots Offensive Linemen (NESN)
Patriots Rumors: Kyle Dugger Fined For Scrap; No Fines For Colts Players (NESN)
Patriots Players Salute J.C. Jackson For First Pro Bowl Selection (NESN)
Patriots Post Fitting Tweet About Another Matthew Slater Pro Bowl Nod (NESN)
Julian Edelman Reacts To Bill Belichick’s Unexpected Apology To Media (NESN)
Report: Kendrick Bourne clears COVID-19 protocol, can play Sunday (NBC Sports Boston)
Patriots make series of roster moves prior to hosting Bills (NBC Sports Boston)
Perry: AFC East race comes to a head with clash of contrasting styles (NBC Sports Boston)
NFL picks Week 16: Expert predictions for Patriots vs. Bills showdown (NBC Sports Boston)
This Pats-Bills simulation predicts a wild Week 16 outcome (NBC Sports Boston)
How to watch Patriots vs. Bills in Week 16 (NBC Sports Boston)
Kyle Dugger the only player disciplined from Patriots-Colts scuffle (NBC Sports Boston)
Colts’ comments about Mac Jones reveal how teams view Pats rookie (NBC Sports Boston)
Sunday 7: Mac Jones doesn’t need to do any more than he has all season (WEEI-FM)
Patriots-Bills preview: 3 keys to the game, fun facts, prediction (WEEI-FM)
Kyle Dugger only player to get fined from last week’s Patriots-Colts game (WEEI-FM)
This time, without the wind: Patriots vs. Bills key matchups (WBZ-FM)
Kendrick Bourne Activated From Patriots COVID List, Calls It ‘The Best Christmas News Ever’ (WBZ-TV)
Patriots Running Back Damien Harris ‘Good To Go’ Against Bills (WBZ-TV)
Kyle Dugger Fined; Michael Pittman, T.Y. Hilton Not Fined For Physical Altercation In Patriots-Colts Game (WBZ-TV)
Patriots Activate LB Josh Uche from Injured Reserve; Elevate Three Players to the Active Roster (Patriots.com)
Game Day Roster Update: A busy Christmas for Patriots (Patriots.com)
Game Preview: Bills at Patriots (Patriots.com)
10 Players to Watch: Patriots vs. Bills (Patriots.com)
Expert Predictions: Week 16 picks for Patriots vs. Bills (Patriots.com)
How to Watch/Listen: Bills at Patriots (Patriots.com)

What channel is Bills vs. Patriots on today? Time, TV schedule for NFL Week 16 game

‘For all of the talk about Allen and Jones, however, this game could be decided on the ground. The Patriots dominated the Bills in the trenches two weeks ago, and the Bills never figured out an answer. Devin Singletary had 86 yards for Buffalo in last week’s win over the Panthers, and the Bills may ask for a similar performance out of him this week. The Patriots are uncharacteristically middling against the run this season while being third against the passing game. The Bills may look to exploit that coming off of a strong week running the ball.’

Bills activate Dawkins off Reserve/Covid list

‘Special teams coordinator Heath Farewell and defensive line coach Eric Washington are also on the Covid list. The Bills announced that assistants Heath Farwell and Jacques Cesaire will coach those units, respectively.’

Opinion: Bills at Patriots: Sal’s keys, notes and stats

‘We all know the Patriots won the last meeting by throwing only three passes. If Bill Belichick can do that again and have the same result I’m sure he’d do it. But the way the Bills can take that plan off the table is by not only stopping the run consistently but not giving up big runs. Things were made easier for New England last time by having too many 4-5 yard runs and creating third down and short situations. They had nine runs of at least ten yards, and busted off a 64-yarder for their only touchdown, but one that played a big role in the outcome of the game.’

WKBW Sports Team predicts the Week 16 Patriots rematch

‘If, and that’s a big if, the Bills can stop the run and jump out to a lead against the Patriots they can win this game. In fact, my brain tells me they have the better roster with the better quarterback. But my gut tells me they’ll come up short in a close game, just like they’ve done several times this year.’

Bills activate Dawkins from Reserve/COVID-19 list

‘According to the team, they will handle a coaching COVID outbreak with Jacques Cesaire coaching the defensive line in place of Eric Washington. Matt Smiley will coach special teams for Heath Farwell.’

Carucci Take2: With everything at stake, Bills must show talent edge over Patriots

‘Next is the Bills’ presumptive status as an AFC heavyweight. It’s fair to say, at a minimum, it has been compromised by their having already lost twice as many games as last year. The fifth defeat, against the Patriots three weeks ago, delivered a huge blow to the credibility that had already taken a beating in losses against Indianapolis and Jacksonville. The Patriots have been and will always be the biggest measuring stick for the Bills, Brandon Beane’s identifying the Kansas City Chiefs as the “gold standard” notwithstanding.’

Top 6 storylines for Bills at Patriots | Week 16

‘Buffalo has another chance to make the most of its opportunities in a game that won’t have limitations because of weather. This week’s forecast calls for clear skies and temperatures in the 40s. Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll acknowledged playing meaningful football in December is right where you want to be.’

6 things to watch for in Bills at Patriots | Week 16

‘In every one of Buffalo’s wins this season they have won handily. In fact, their eight wins have been by an average of 25 points. The Bills’ problem has been their inability to win the close games. Five of their six losses this season have been one score games, including their first meeting with the Patriots (14-10).’

Top 5 players to watch in Bills at Patriots | Week 16

‘As The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia pointed out after the game, the results were positive when Phillips was on the field against the Panthers. Panthers running backs averaged 3.92 yards per carry on 12 attempts. That number drops to 1.29 yards per carry on seven attempts when Phillips was on the field, according to TruMedia.’

NFL game predictions for Bills at Patriots | Week 16

‘This is essentially for the division title. If the Bills win, they have two winnable games left. If the Patriots win, they pretty much lock up the division. So this will be fun. There won’t be wind like the last meeting, but there could be snow. That favors the better passing team, which is the Bills. I think they get revenge from the wind game and take it behind a good day by Josh Allen.’