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Week 14: Bills vs. Patriots
The Bills are now playing for pride as they are all but mathematically eliminated from the postseason party. A loss to first place New England will officially put them out of the race. The Patriots are as healthy as they have been all year and they are rolling now towards another division title.
FACTS AND FIGURES
| Matchup: |
Buffalo (4-8) vs. New England (7-5) |
| Place: |
Ralph Wilson Stadium |
| Television: |
CBS |
| Announcers: |
Kevin Harlan and Randy Cross |
| Spread: |
Patriots by 3½ |
| Series: |
Patriots lead 50-40-1 (Bills 0-1 in playoffs) |
| Last Meeting: |
Patriots 21-16 in New England (Week 8) |
| Pats Offense: |
Rush (27th); Pass (3rd); overall (8th) |
| Pats Defense: |
Rush (17th); Pass (31st); overall (29th) |
| Bills Offense: |
Rush (18th); Pass (29th); overall (29th) |
| Bills Defense: |
Rush (31st); Pass (12th); overall (26th) |
INJURY UPDATE
The Bills suffered one new injury against Miami. Chris Villarrial injured his hamstring and his status for this game is uncertain. He is day to day. The Bills got two injured players back. Lawyer Milloy is banged up but he still played last week and should be good to go again this week. Terrence McGee played on a limited basis as he is still bothered by a hamstring injury. He will likely play on a limited basis again. Mark Campbell and Mike Williams missed the Dolphins game with hamstring and back/chest injuries respectively. Their status is uncertain as well.
The Patriots are getting healthier after a devastating rash of injuries. RB Heath Evans and FB Patrick Pass may not be ready for this game. Evans has a shoulder injury that cost him to miss the Jets game and Pass has a hamstring injury. TE Daniel Graham may remain out with a shoulder injury as well.
 Bills Daily Injury Page
KEY MATCHUPS
RB Willis McGahee vs. LB Tedy Bruschi:
The comeback of Bruschi was an emotional lift when he returned to the lineup against the Bills in their first meeting. Since he has returned he leads the team in tackles. McGahee will have to watch for him every time he carries the football.
SS Lawyer Milloy vs. QB Tom Brady:
Two old friends battle it out as Milloy needs to get in the head of Brady and force him into mistakes that will give the Bills pass defense a chance to gain confidence after last week's fourth quarter debacle in Miami.
LB London Fletcher vs. RB Corey Dillon:
Fletcher has been a tackling machine the past month and is the heart of the Buffalo defense. Dillon is finally healthy and could be in for a big day against the Bills run defense that has improved, but is still poor.
CB Terrence McGee vs. WR Deion Branch:
If McGee is healthy enough to play corner, he will more often than not matchup with the best receiver on the Patriots. Branch leads the team in receptions, touchdowns, and receiving yards.
RT Jason Peters vs. OLB Rosevelt Colvin:
Peters has to watch out for Colvin who will be blitzing a lot from his linebacker position. He leads the team with 4½ sacks.
LT Mike Gandy vs. DE Richard Seymour:
Gandy will have his hands full against Seymour. He is a big cog as a pass rusher and a tackler for the Patriots. If he causes havoc in the Bills' backfield it will be a long day.
GAME PLAN
When The Bills Have The Ball: The Bills should finally get back to basics and try to pound the ball on the ground. They can't afford to get cute anymore on offense. Look for a ball control style offense of running right at players like Seymour to slow down his pass rush.
When The Patriots Have The Ball: The Patriots will look to attack the weak Bills secondary with a lot of passes over the middle down the field. When they get bored of that they will then look to attack the weak run defense with Corey Dillon.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
With the season basically over the team is only playing for pride. The question is, do they have enough mentally to do that? The team is in disarray with Coach Mularkey having a potential mutiny on his hands. Not a recipe for success against the two time defending champions. The Bills have done well coming back after tough losses but expect them to mail this one in:
Patriots 28, Bills 13
Season Prediction Record: (7-5)
Season Record Against The Spread: (6-5-1)
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