Best Offense Vs Great Defense As Bills And Patriots Tangle On Thursday Night Football

The Buffalo Bills head to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots in a game that could have a massive impact on playoff implications. The Bills enter this game at 8-3 riding a two game win streak while sitting atop the AFC East. The Patriots come back home after a Thanksgiving day defeat to the Minnesota Vikings to put them at 6-5. This will be the first time both teams see each other this year in a contest that will feature one of the league’s best offenses against one of the best defenses.

The Bills offense ranks top 10 in points, passing yards, and rushing yards while the Patriots defense ranks top 10 in those same categories. This could be a closer contest than one might except with both teams seemingly having an answer for what the other responds to.

Passing Offense vs. Passing Defense

The Bills passing game ranks third in the league with 279.2 yards through the air. In two of the Bills last four games Josh Allen has thrown four interceptions and under 200 yards. Allen will once again be asked to pick a part another elite passing defense in the Patriots. The Patriots are ninth in passing yards allowed at 198.5 thanks in part to a stout secondary. When quarterbacks throw to Patriot cornerbacks Jonathan Jones, Jack Jones, and Kyle Dugger they have a passer rating under 60. The wide receiver matchup for New England’s defensive backs won’t be easy as they’ll look to slow down former All-Pro Stefon Diggs, deep threat Gabe Davis, and a reliable pass catching tight end in Dawson Knox. The Patriots can’t afford to let Buffalo’s receivers make big plays.

Rushing Offense vs. Rushing Defense

The Patriots are ninth in rushing yards allowed at 109.3 per game, but over the past four weeks that number has started to improve. In New England’s last four games they have given up 61.2 yards with 78 yards being the most allowed in a Week 9 game against the Indianapolis Colts. On the other side, the Bills have the eighth best rushing attack at 136.7 yards per game. In their last four games they’ve gained at least 130 yards on the ground with 161.0 yard per game average. The key to this game for either team might be whoever gains an advantage in the trenches.

The Bills are -4 favorites against the Patriots.