The New England Patriots look to take on the division rival Buffalo Bills in a Week 7 matchup on Sunday.
However, this stage is different than previous matchups, which felt a lot closer. The Patriots are currently one of the worst teams in all of football, while the Bills are still one of the best and a likely playoff contender.
Injuries could also be a major factor for the Patriots with 16 players being listed as questionable on the injury report, along with three being ruled out for the game.
If the Patriots wish to come away with a upset victory at home over the Bills, they’ll need some things to fall their way. Here are this week’s keys to the game.
Patriots secondary needs to have game of the season
The Patriots have been bad at containing Stefon Diggs in his career.
In seven head-to-head matchups against New England, including one in 2018 with the Vikings, Diggs is averaging 6.4 catches with 88.3 receiving yards per game.
The Patriots have also struggled as a team to handle secondary offensive options after throwing the kitchen sink at their opponent’s first option.
This is a remarkable split in the "Defense vs. Types of Receivers" numbers.#Patriots are No. 1 against WR1.
Then they are 30th vs WR2, 32nd vs WR Other, 29th vs TE, and 24th vs RB.WR1 yds vs. Patriots
Brown PHI 79
Hill MIA 40
Wilson NYJ 48
Lamb DAL 36
Olave NO 12
Adams LV 29— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@ASchatzNFL) October 19, 2023
If they hope to come away with a victory, or keep it a winnable game for the offense, Patriots cornerbacks Jonathan Jones and J.C. Jackson will need to have their best game of the season this week.
Feed Zeke and focus more on the run game
Ezekiel Elliott has started to look like he’s up to speed with the offense after getting a late start with the team. Now that a full month and a half has gone by, he looks like the team’s most efficient and impactful running back.
It might be time to fully unleash Elliott, and the Patriots would be wise to do so against a Bills team that is struggling to stop the run. The Bills defense is ranked 25th in the league against opposing rushers with the team allowing an average of 133.7 yards per game on the ground.
To make matters worse for Buffalo, defensive tackle Ed Oliver has been ruled out for the game. That alone should open things up even more for the Patriots this week.
Offense needs a turnover-free day
The Patriots are tied for 29th in giveaways with 11 on the season so far, which is an average of 1.8 per game.
Although the majority of that is on Mac Jones, the offensive line and receivers haven’t been putting Jones in situations where he can make a difference. He’s been forced to play hero ball, and it’s not in his wheelhouse.
Keeping the ball is a key, as the Patriots have a real shot at winning this game if they can run the ball, contain the wide receivers and keep a high time of possession. But any turnovers on their end would allow the entire thing to unravel.
If you turn the ball over, the run game will be non-existent due to playing from behind and needing to throw more. It also makes it harder on the corners, who will have to face a great Bills defense with more opportunities.
The Patriots defense might stop the Bills a few times, but they won’t be able to stop the bleeding if Allen and company continue to get opportunities.
