(Photo: Bangor Daily News) 

AFC Game Of The Week 

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots

Bills (9-4):

They raise my blood pressure, and I’m truly over trying to figure out who they are. This was a team that once started 4-0, then hit that bump in the road. So, who exactly is this football team? Is it the group that beat the Kansas City Chiefs on November 2nd and punched the Pittsburgh Steelers in the mouth a few Sundays ago? Or is it the group that let their guard down and rolled over against the Miami Dolphins a week after beating the Chiefs—or the same group that struggled on a Thursday night against the Houston Texans? I guess what I’m hinting at is there’s no in-between with this team, and it’s frustrating because they are far too talented for the inconsistency they display. I knew last Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals wouldn’t be the easiest of contests, as they have always played the Bills tough over the years. Early on, it looked as if an upset was brewing as Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ offense were having their way. Then came the fourth quarter, and the defense decided to join the party, coming away with two huge takeaways to seal a close victory. I know Josh Allen won MVP last year—and deservedly so—but I feel he’s having an even better season this year. If the Bills were in the driver’s seat in their division right now, he’d be one of the front-runners for the award once again. Josh has also gone head-to-head this year against Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow—and has defeated all of them. When it comes to this offense, James Cook is their best player, even over the MVP-winning quarterback—which is saying something. This Sunday, the Bills make their way to Gillette Stadium.

Patriots (11-2):

The last time they lost a game was in Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but since then, they’ve handled their business, winning their last ten games. Mike Vrabel is my favorite coach in the league. If you looked up the definition of a “players’ coach” in the dictionary, you would likely find his picture. This team needed a spark, and Mike was the only guy who could provide it. I also know the Tennessee Titans must be kicking themselves for letting him go—but one team’s loss is another team’s gain in my opinion. It used to be a yearly occurrence that the Patriots were favorites to win the division and make a deep playoff run. The last time they won the division was 2019, Tom Brady’s final season with the team. I’ve been impressed with their offense, and the best move Mike made was hiring Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator. He’s running a system similar to what Brady ran in Foxborough. I also noted that New England had the best offseason of any team in the league—and it’s clearly paying off. I see a team that plays hard and smart in all phases, but most importantly, they’re having fun and playing for one another. What a turnaround—it’s great to see them relevant once again. The bye week is over, and they return to the field this Sunday against the Buffalo Bills in a huge divisional tilt.

Bills X-Factor: James Cook

I can’t stress this enough: give him the football and move out of the way. When the Bills’ offense runs through Cook, good things happen. A perfect example was their game against the Steelers, where they rushed for over 200 yards. James is dangerous both as a runner and as a receiver out of the backfield. Against a New England defense that will likely stack the box, he can catch the ball, keeping the defense honest. He has explosive potential, turning short gains into long, game-changing plays. When defenders commit to stopping him, it opens the field for the receivers and gives Josh Allen a cleaner pocket to throw from.

Patriots X-Factor: Hunter Henry

This is a New England offense full of weapons, and Hunter Henry is one of the key playmakers. He serves as a safety valve for Drake Maye and has come through in crucial situations, especially in the red zone and on third downs. Hunter can create size and leverage mismatches against Buffalo’s linebackers and safeties, particularly in the middle of the field. This opens up intermediate routes and forces the Bills to adjust their coverage. When Hunter commands attention, it also frees up space for the other receivers.

Final Thoughts: 

This is the biggest matchup between these two teams in the regular season since 2021, and there’s a lot on the line. A Patriots win would clinch the AFC East for the first time since 2019, while a Bills victory would pull them back into the division race—a title they’ve held every year since 2020. The last time these teams met, the Patriots handed the Bills their first loss of the season on Sunday night. It was a sloppy performance by Buffalo, scoring only three first-half points and turning the ball over three times. Since that game, both teams have trended in opposite directions: Buffalo is 5-3 in their last eight, while the Patriots have gone a perfect 8-0. Both teams will approach this game like a playoff matchup. For Buffalo, the key is playing clean football. Protecting the ball and not forcing plays is crucial. Defensively, the Bills must limit the Patriots’ chunk plays, especially through the air, and the offense must stay on schedule and convert in critical situations. Whenever you play Buffalo, the first key is to contain Josh Allen—he’s attacking defenses with both arm and feet. Keeping him in the pocket as much as possible, mixing up looks, and using a spy in the middle of the field is vital. The Patriots must limit Cook, shut down the run, and convert on third downs to wear down Buffalo’s defensive front. Who’s the true beast of the East here?

Prediction:

Bills 27, Patriots 24