‘Playing time for McKenzie and Beasley could depend on what coverage the Patriots elect to play. If they use a man-coverage scheme, it would make sense for the Bills to play McKenzie more given the big game he had in Week 16. If the Patriots elect to go to a zone, Beasley has traditionally been excellent against that kind of coverage.’
Archives for January 2022
Sean Kirst: The Blue Lights of Auburn – a sign of the times at Bills stadium
‘That banner turned into a stadium constant. It was on the wall when Jerry Butler, Joe Cribbs and Joe Ferguson led the Bills in 1980 to a big win over the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers, and during the 1988 season that was such a breakout year, and for the 1993 comeback that remains one of the most electrifying days in football history. It stayed there, Giangreco said, until the band finally broke up and sign policies changed.’
The lighter side of The News: The Bills, the chills and little blue pills
‘Planning to wear plastic bags under your socks? OK. A little weird, but if you think it works, no one’s going to stop you.’
Alan Pergament: Bills regular season ratings up 13% locally; national telecasts have mixed results
‘The Buffalo Bills’ 17 games in a season that began with Super Bowl expectations averaged a 47.4 rating, up 13% from the 42.1 average for 16 regular season games last season.’
The Editorial Board: While players work for ultimate prize, Bills fans should savor the playoff journey
‘For fans, it should be a joyful journey and the next stop comes tonight as the Bills host the New England Patriots in the AFC wild-card playoff game. It’s going to be frigid one, with temperatures likely in the single digits. But think how warming it will be when they win …’
Keys to the game and Sal’s prediction for Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots
‘Sal’s prediction: Buffalo Bills 20, New England Patriots 13.’
Bills, Patriots put out final injury reports: Big updates on Christian Barmore, Kyle Dugger
‘If Wynn can’t play there’s been rumblings in New England that Trent Brown could move from the right tackle spot over to left tackle. Even if Wynn does suit up he’ll likely be at less than 100%. Barmore playing six days after his injury would likely mean he’s not fully healthy either.’
Bills’ Jordan Poyer named to AP All Pro first team; Micah Hyde named to second team
‘Poyer was named to the first team and Hyde to the second team. Neither player was selected to the Pro Bowl. The AP uses a panel of 50 national media members to vote on who makes the All Pro teams.’
Can Patriots’ Mac Jones succeed in cold vs. Bills? We’re about to find out (Things to watch)
‘Part of Singletary’s success has been the play of the offensive line. The unit seems to have found their best starting five entering the playoffs. In addition to helping Singletary, Josh Allen and Zack Moss on the ground, this unit has been outstanding in pass protection. Allen has not been sacked in the past three games.’
Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots Wild Card playoff preview with odds, predictions
‘Unless the Bills self-destruct, Jones will have to throw on Saturday night and I see Buffalo coming up with a few turnovers as a result. Buffalo’s offense has moved the ball up and down the field with ease against the Patriots this season. In the first matchup, the Bills simply failed to execute in the red zone. That wasn’t an issue in the second matchup. Look for Josh Allen and company to move the ball again in this matchup and do their fair share of scoring. Buffalo’s Wild Card weekend matchup ends up in a convincing win.’
How to watch Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots Wild Card game: TV channel, time, streaming info
‘The game starts at 8:15 p.m. Saturday and will be aired on CBS.’
Five takes: Bills set for rubber match against Pats with Divisonal round berth on the line
‘While the wind may not be as big of a factor, expect the cold to impact both teams’ ability to throw the football with great success. We already saw Belichick play it conservatively with Jones while forging through the Buffalo elements in Week 13. Perhaps tonight’s wintery conditions will again lead the Patriots to employ another run-heavy game plan, as we saw from them in that win on Dec. 6, during which they ran the ball 94% of the time.’
Bills fans preparing to brave bitterly cold temperatures expected for Bills-Pats Wild Card matchup
‘“My cold-weather gear consists of Winter Muck boots, heated foot warmers, Cold weather sox, long John’s under jeans, heavy-duty Carhartt bibs, under Armor cold gear turtleneck, Heavy Bills Hoodie, down puff jacket, bills jersey,” said the Genesee County resident.’
Sullivan: As Darryl Talley proved, embracing Buffalo elements a path toward Bills immortality
‘Talley said the cold weather favors the defense in a sport that’s become increasingly favorable to offense. Also, the 12th Man is essentially a defensive phenomenon. He likes the Bills’ chances with a top-ranked defense.’
Saturday’s New England Coverage
Win or lose in Buffalo, this season is already a success for the Patriots (Boston Globe)
Mac Jones isn’t the typical rookie quarterback tossed into the playoff cauldron (Boston Globe)
Patriots tackle Isaiah Wynn is ruled out for Saturday’s playoff game (Boston Globe)
Patriots need their best game in Round 3, but the trends do not favor them (Boston Globe)
The eight most important players in the Patriots-Bills wild-card game (Boston Globe)
It’s going to be cold in Buffalo. Really cold. Let’s look back at four frigid Patriots games under Bill Belichick (Boston Globe)
Tickets for Saturday’s Patriots-Bills wild-card game are surprisingly cheap (Boston Globe)
Patriots LT Isaiah Wynn out for Wild Card playoff game at Buffalo (Boston Herald)
Patriots elevate 4 practice-squad players, putting Jalen Mills’ status in further doubt (Boston Herald)
Patriots J.C. Jackson, Matthew Slater named to All-Pro second team (Boston Herald)
Guregian: Will beating Buffalo define whether the Patriots season was a success? (Boston Herald)
Patriots-Bills Wild Card battlegrounds: Can New England win in the trenches against Buffalo’s peaking defensive front? (Boston Herald)
How Mac Jones and the Patriots offense can lead the way to an upset over the Bills (Boston Herald)
How the Patriots defense can lead a Wild Card playoff win over Josh Allen’s Bills (Boston Herald)
Patriots injury news: LT Isaiah Wynn ruled out for Wild Card game vs. Bills (Springfield Republican)
Patriots legend Adam Vinatieri inspired a young Nick Folk to go from ‘soccer kid’ to NFL kicker (Springfield Republican)
Patriots QB Mac Jones named finalist for NFL Rookie of the Year fan vote (Springfield Republican)
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills Wild Card preview: Predictions, point spread, game plans, matchups and more (Springfield Republican)
Patriots-Bills anti-analysis: Should we let Matthew Judon hit our beat writer in the ribs? (Springfield Republican)
Patriots Mailbag: Would losing to Bills still be successful season for New England? (Springfield Republican)
Patriots’ Trent Brown Trauma after his brother’s ATV accident injury (Providence Journal)
Mike Kirby: Are the Pats ready to create some more magic? (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)
Win or lose, Pats’ season should count as success (Nashua Telegraph)
Mac Jones: ‘There’s not a lot of room for error’ (Birmingham News)
NFL wild-card weekend betting: Julian Edelman going all-in on Tom Brady vs. Bill Belichick Super Bowl (USA Today)
New England Patriots left tackle Isaiah Wynn to miss AFC wild-card game vs. Buffalo Bills because of injuries (ESPN)
Patriots facing rare playoff obstacle they’ve never had to deal with in Bill Belichick’s 22 years as coach (CBS Sports)
Bill Belichick’s record vs. Bills: Patriots coach owns Buffalo — but for how much longer? (The Sporting News)
Revisiting Mac Jones’ historic three-pass performance against Bills in Week 13 (The Sporting News)
Julian Edelman bets $100,000 that Buccaneers, Patriots will meet in Super Bowl (The Sporting News)
Patriots Officially Rule Isaiah Wynn Out For Playoff Game Against Bills (NESN)
Why Patriots Should Be Fine If Isaiah Wynn Can’t Play Against Bills (NESN)
This Patriots Post Offers Good Sign That Dont’a Hightower Will Play Against Bills (NESN)
Patriots Corners Don’t Clear COVID-19 Protocol, Won’t Play Against Bills (NESN)
What Patriots’ Practice Squad Elevations Mean For Playoff Game Vs. Bills (NESN)
Who Is De’Vante Bausby? What To Know About Elevated Patriots Corner (NESN)
Josh Allen Explains How There’s No ‘Sure Thing’ Vs. Bill Belichick’s Patriots Defense (NESN)
Zero Patriots Named First-Team All-Pros; Only Two Get Second-Team Honors (NESN)
Kendrick Bourne Maintains Great Perspective When Mac Jones Yells At Him (NESN)
Julian Edelman Claps Back At Ray Lewis Over Patriots-Bucs Super Bowl Jab (NESN)
What Bills Reportedly Expect From Patriots’ Defense In Playoff Game (NESN)
What Cold? Why Josh Allen Reportedly Will Go Sleeveless In Patriots-Bills (NESN)
Who (Or What) Will Be X-Factor In Patriots Vs. Bills Playoff Matchup? (NESN)
Colin Cowherd Lauds Mac Jones, Basically Picks Patriots To Beat Bills (NESN)
NFL Scout Raises Valid Question Before Patriots Vs. Bills Playoff Clash (NESN)
Patriots Mailbag: How Would Pats Fill Key O-Line Void In Playoff Game? (NESN)
Patriots Vs. Bills Predictions: Our Picks For Wild-Card Playoff Matchup (NESN)
Patriots Recap Resurgent Season With First Playoff Hype Video In Two Years (NESN)
NFL Insider Offers Theory On Josh McDaniels’ Lack Of Interview Requests (NESN)
Patriots Offer Rare Inside Look At ‘AirKraft’ Team Planes In New Video (NESN)
Patriots rule out starter along OL vs. Bills (NBC Sports Boston)
Perry: The Pats will need Mac Jones to make big plays to advance (NBC Sports Boston)
Curran: Patriots may need a Buffalo breakdown to pull this one off (NBC Sports Boston)
J.C. Jackson hypes up matchup with Stefon Diggs ahead of Pats-Bills (NBC Sports Boston)
Here’s who won our Patriots vs. Bills AFC Wild Card playoff game simulation (NBC Sports Boston)
What Patriots’ offensive line might look like with Isaiah Wynn out (WEEI-FM)
Patriots elevate 4 players, including 2 corners plus Kristian Wilkerson, from practice squad for game vs. Bills (WEEI-FM)
Patriots-Bills Wild Card: 3 keys to the game, fun facts, prediction (WEEI-FM)
Tonight is a chance to embrace the new New England (WEEI-FM)
Win or lose in Buffalo, Patriots are good (WEEI-FM)
Ian Rapoport gives reason why Josh McDaniels hasn’t been requested for interview by other teams (WEEI-FM)
Patriots rule out starting left tackle Isaiah Wynn (WBZ-FM)
Patriots elevate four practice squad players for wild card game against Bills (WBZ-FM)
Patriots have a pair of second team All-Pros (WBZ-FM)
Socci’s Game Day: Pats and Bills’ secondaries are a study in contrasts (WBZ-FM)
The Threematch: Patriots vs. Bills key matchups (WBZ-FM)
What does history tell us about the Patriots in playoff rematches? (WBZ-FM)
What is going on with the tickets for Saturday’s Patriots-Bills game? (WBZ-FM)
Bills Expect Patriots To Play Heavy Man Coverage, Double Stefon Diggs; Josh Allen Going Sleeveless In Frigid Temperatures (WBZ-TV)
Patriots Rule Out Isaiah Wynn For Wild Card Matchup With Bills; Kristian Wilkerson Elevated From Practice Squad (WBZ-TV)
Mac Jones Is Officially A Nominee For NFL’s Rookie Of The Year (WBZ-TV)
Patriots-Bills What To Watch For: Keys To A Pats Upset On Wild Card Weekend (WBZ-TV)
Patriots-Bills Wild Card Predictions: Can Pats Pull Off An Upset In Buffalo? (WBZ-TV)
Frigid Temperatures Keeping Ticket Prices Low For Patriots-Bills Matchup On Saturday (WBZ-TV)
Left, Then Right: For second time, Brown proving key to Patriots O-line (Patriots.com)
Game Day Roster Update: Left tackle spot options with Wynn out (Patriots.com)
Patriots Elevate Four Players to the Active Roster (Patriots.com)
Wild Card Playoffs: Patriots – Bills Injury Report (Patriots.com)
Jackson, Slater named second-team All-Pro (Patriots.com)
Mac Jones Nominated for 2021 Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year (Patriots.com)
Wild Card Game Preview: Patriots at Bills (Patriots.com)
10 Players to Watch: Patriots at Bills (Patriots.com)
Expert Predictions: Wild Card picks for Patriots at Bills (Patriots.com)
How to Watch/Listen: Patriots at Bills (Patriots.com)