Overview
- Kickoff is Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium on CBS, with streaming on Paramount+, and sportsbooks list Buffalo as a slight favorite around -1.5 with a total near 49.5.
- New England clinches the division with a victory, while Buffalo, two games back, must win to keep its title hopes alive.
- Drake Maye and Josh Allen enter as MVP-caliber quarterbacks, with Maye riding a 10-game win streak that could tie notable second-year marks with an 11th.
- The Bills’ NFL-best rushing efficiency led by James Cook tests a Patriots run defense that has slipped since DT Milton Williams’ injury, though veteran Khyiris Tonga is expected back.
- Protection and turnovers loom large as New England navigates Buffalo’s disguises and a playmaking secondary highlighted by Christian Benford’s recent pick-sixes, with the Patriots still down LT Will Campbell on injured reserve.