𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

There are so many fun matchups and storylines in this one, starting with Stefon Diggs’ first trip back here since being traded from the Bills, and the budding Drake Maye comps to the quarterback on the other sideline, Josh Allen. Those will be fun to follow for sure.

But the area that will go a lot further in dictating whether the Patriots can pull off the upset is different.

So far, they’ve been able to cover up their poor running game with how good and fun Maye has been. In all likelihood, they can’t get one dimensional, though, against the Bills, especially considering how Buffalo has played defense this season.

The Bills’ defense has been far better against the pass (seventh in EPA per dropback) than against the run (28th in EPA per rush attempt).

The Patriots planned all offseason to have a strong running game and be good in that area to help alleviate all that’s on the plate of Maye. But so far, they’ve been the league’s worst rushing team by expected points added per play.

If they want to pull off an upset in Buffalo, they’ve got to get the running game going against a Bills defense that has struggled in that area.