AFC East rivals Buffalo Bills (11-6) and New England Patriots (10-7) will meet for the third time this season as they go face-to-face at the Highmark Stadium in the 2021 NFL Wild Card round of the playoffs on Saturday.
Forecast is for weather to be at freezing levels but this shouldn’t be anything new to the two sides. However, rookie quarterback Mac Jones out of Alabama may have some adjustments to make. Worth keeping an eye on in-game.
The Bills peaked towards the end of season, winning their last four, which included a 33-21 win at Gillette Stadium in week 16. However, the Pats did win the first meeting between these two, 14-10 in Buffalo in week 13.
During this winning run that Buffalo entered the playoffs their defence was very stingy, allowing just 15 points per game, recording 19 sacks, 3 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles.
The Bills have been quite reliant on blitz packages to get to quarterbacks though, which could be a plus for Mac Jones, who likes quick, short passes.
It’s been an inconsistent season for Bill Belichick’s side, who had the number one seeding after a week 13 win at Buffalo. They enter the playoffs as the number 6 seed having lost three of their last four. It was their seven-game winning stretch mid-season that got them here.
Whilst it’s hard to back against Belichick’s side I do think Buffalo’s form will make the difference here. Josh Allen is playing well and their defence is creating turnovers. Patriots have been giving up nearly 26 points per game since the bye.
Pick: Buffalo Bills to win is 1/2
