The Buffalo Bills (10-4 SU, 9-4-1 ATS) have clinched a playoff spot for the second time in three years. But they’ve got bigger things on their mind: The Bills will be in Foxborough this Saturday to take on the New England Patriots (11-3 SU, 8-6 ATS), who lead Buffalo by one game in the AFC East. Kick-off is at 4:30 PM ET on the NFL Network, with the Patriots laying 6.5 points at press time and the total set at 38.5
Beating New England won’t be enough to put the Bills in first place – they also need things to go perfectly in Week 17. However, Buffalo may be catching the defending champs at just the right time. The Patriots are 3-3 SU and 2-4 ATS over their past six games, with QB Tom Brady slipping further and further towards mediocrity at age 42.
Brady’s troubles this year began in Week 4, when he went to Buffalo and posted a 45.9 passer rating in a 16-10 victory over the Bills (+7.5) and their outstanding defense – although not as good as New England’s. Saturday’s forecast for Gillette Stadium calls for cloudy skies by game time and temperatures dipping below the freezing mark.
