Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots Preview Week 3

The New England Patriots got off to a fast start with an impressive 38-24 home win over the defending AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals, but they were cut back down to size in Week 2 with a disappointing 28-14 loss to division rival New York. Fortunately, New England has an excellent opportunity to bounce back this week against the Buffalo Bills, who are coming off a 34-7 loss at Green Bay. In fact, NFL odds makers are expecting a blowout, listing the Patriots as a 13-point favorite with the total set at 42.

The Patriots took a 14-10 lead into halftime against the Jets, but they were outscored 18-0 in the second half. Mark Sanchez outperformed future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, as he was able to take advantage of New England’s young secondary.

The Jets went right at second-year corner Darius Butler, and it paid off. Braylon Edwards was able to burn him for a touchdown and a two-point conversion. Butler was also flagged for two pass interference calls that led to another New York score.

As a collective unit, New England had no answer for tight end Dustin Keller, who caught seven passes for 115 yards and a score. The Patriots are going to need Butler and Devin McCourty to improve if they are going to win the AFC East.

A date with the Bills could be just what the doctor ordered for these young corners and the rest of the defense. Buffalo is only averaging 89 yards per game through the air. Last week, quarterback Trent Edwards was just 11 of 18 for 102 yards and two interceptions. He was also sacked four times. A dominant performance against Buffalo could be the confidence booster this defense needs before heading to Miami in Week 4.

New England has won 13 in a row against Buffalo, and eight of those wins have come by at least 13 points.

Buffalo played division rival Miami tough in Week 1, losing by just 5 points, but the Bills were completely outclassed last week. They could be in for another embarrassing loss if the offense can’t find a way to move the football.

The Bills have had 23 total possessions in two games, and nine of those have been three-and-outs. Seven of those possessions have gone for negative yards. In all, Buffalo has managed just 23 first downs, 352 yards and 17 points on the season.

Going into the season, Buffalo felt it had a better chance of winning games by running the football, but this may be the week to turn Edwards loose to see what he is really made of. Thus far, the New England defense has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 68.7 percent of their passes.

Defensively, the Bills must come up with some takeaways if they are going to pull off the shocking upset. The Jets were able to pick off Brady twice, and we saw the result. Consider that Buffalo is a perfect 7-0 against the spread since the beginning of the 2008 season when it forces two turnovers, winning these games by an average score of 27.1 to 18.9.

Buffalo Bills will lose to the New England Patriots once again. Patriots 41-Bills 13