The New England Patriots head into Week 15 with fresh legs and an 11-2 record after a much-needed bye in Week 14. Now, the focus shifts to a pivotal AFC East showdown as they prepare to host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday - a game that could carry serious implications for the division crown.
This will be the second time these two teams square off this season. The first meeting came back in Week 5 in Buffalo, where the Patriots edged out a 23-20 win in a tightly contested battle. That game was a showcase of resilience from New England, who managed to contain Josh Allen just enough to escape with the victory.
But despite holding the better record and playing in front of a home crowd this time around, New England enters the rematch as a 1.5-point underdog, according to FanDuel’s latest odds. That’s a nod to the momentum Buffalo has built in recent weeks - the Bills have strung together back-to-back wins and appear to be finding their rhythm at just the right time.
Josh Allen remains the x-factor for Buffalo. When he’s locked in, he’s one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league - capable of taking over a game with both his arm and his legs. And lately, he’s looked more like the MVP-caliber version of himself that Bills fans have come to expect.
Still, it’s hard to ignore what the Patriots have done this season. While Buffalo came in as the preseason favorite to win the AFC East, it’s New England that has set the pace for most of the year. Their defense has been among the league’s most disciplined units, and the offense has done just enough to keep them in control of games.
Sunday’s matchup could be a turning point. A win for New England would not only give them a season sweep over the Bills, it would also put them in prime position to snap Buffalo’s five-year run atop the division. On the flip side, a Buffalo victory would tighten the race and potentially swing momentum in the Bills’ favor down the stretch.
With playoff positioning on the line and two teams that know each other well, expect this one to be a hard-fought battle. The Patriots have the edge in the standings, but the Bills are coming in hot - and that sets the stage for one of the most intriguing matchups of the week.