As the Patriots gear up for their second showdown with the Bills this season, there’s more on the line than just a divisional rivalry. New England already pulled off a win in Buffalo earlier this year - a rare feat in recent seasons - and now they’ve got a chance to sweep the reigning AFC East champs for the first time in six years. But the path to that sweep just got a lot more complicated.
The biggest storyline heading into this matchup? Injuries.
And not just any injuries - we’re talking about two foundational pieces of New England’s offensive line. Starting left tackle Will Campbell and left guard Jared Wilson both went down with leg injuries in the Patriots’ last game against the Bengals.
That’s a major blow to an offense that’s been building momentum behind rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
Campbell, in particular, has been a rock on Maye’s blind side. His absence isn’t just a personnel issue - it’s a strategic one. When you lose your left tackle and left guard in the same week, you're not just plugging in new bodies; you’re reshuffling protection schemes, adjusting play calls, and hoping your quarterback doesn’t start seeing ghosts in the pocket.
Ben Brown and Vederian Lowe stepped in last week and held their own against the Giants, which is encouraging - but let’s be honest, the Giants aren’t exactly the Bills. Buffalo’s front seven brings a different level of heat, and that’s where the concern starts to creep in.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler echoed that sentiment this week, noting that while Brown and Lowe did their jobs against New York, the real test is coming - and fast. Fowler pointed out that Campbell and defensive tackle Milton Williams, both dealing with significant injuries, are expected back before the playoffs. But in the meantime, how the Patriots hold up could determine whether they’re playing meaningful football in January.
Williams, a key offseason acquisition, has been a force in the middle of the defense. Losing him hurts, no doubt. But the bigger question mark is on the offensive line, where continuity and chemistry are everything - especially when you’ve got a young quarterback trying to navigate an NFL playoff push.
Let’s not forget, Maye’s already shown he can survive behind a shaky line - he did it last year. But this season was supposed to be different.
The Patriots invested in protection, and it was starting to pay off. Now, with two starters out, the offense is back in a familiar place: scrambling to protect its most important asset.
If Brown and Lowe can replicate what they did in Week 13 - steady protection, minimal penalties, and a clean pocket for Maye - then this offense might just stay on track. But if they struggle, especially against top-tier pass rushes like Buffalo and Baltimore, the Patriots’ playoff hopes could take a serious hit.
And that’s where the coaching staff, led by Mike Vrabel, has some decisions to make. Do they stick with the current lineup and hope for consistency? Or do they consider reinforcements - whether that’s elevating someone from the practice squad or dipping into free agency?
The next few weeks will tell us a lot about this Patriots team - not just how deep they are, but how resilient. They’ve already shown they can beat the Bills once. Doing it again, with a patched-up offensive line and playoff pressure mounting, would be a statement.