The Buffalo Bills are 3-0 and atop the AFC East, and Sunday brings their first divisional test of the season. Buffalo hosts the New England Patriots on Sunday, October 4 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS at Highmark Stadium, where the Bills will look to keep the league’s highest-scoring offense rolling.
The NFL’s best offense vs. a team searching for one
Through three games, the Bills are averaging an NFL-leading 33.7 points and 401.7 yards per game, with Josh Allen leading the league’s most productive attack. Buffalo’s rushing offense ranks fourth, giving the Bills ways to score even if New England’s second-ranked pass defense takes away the deep ball.
The Patriots, meanwhile, are reeling. They fell to 1-2 after a 35-6 blowout loss to Jacksonville, and their offense is averaging a mere 12.0 points per game — one of the league’s weakest outputs. Quarterback Drake Maye is listed with a right shoulder issue, though he was a full practice participant Wednesday.
Why Buffalo should roll
New England was outclassed in all three phases last week, and now it visits a Bills team that has won every game it’s played, including last week’s 24-16 win over the Chargers. Oddsmakers list Buffalo as a 6.5-point favorite, and the Highmark Stadium crowd will be loud for a divisional Sunday afternoon.
The one caution: cornerback Christian Benford left the Chargers win with a toe injury and didn’t practice Thursday, and Buffalo committed five offensive turnovers in that same game. Against a top pass defense, the Bills can’t afford to be sloppy. If Maye and the Patriots’ offense finally find a rhythm, this could stay closer than the spread suggests.
Prediction: Bills 27, Patriots 16. Buffalo’s ground game and home crowd carry the day, the Bills cover, and they improve to 4-0 with the division race firmly in hand.