The Patriots have been really stout against the run in recent weeks, and after completely shutting down Minnesota's Dalvin Cook that should continue. So, Buffalo's ground game isn't conventional, but it can be effective. Allen also leads the team with five rushing touchdowns. But he trails Josh Allen, who leads the team with 561 yards on just 81 attempts for an average of just shy of 7 yards per carry. Devin Singletary is the lead back and he averages 4.5 yards per carry on 124 attempts. The Bills don't always want to run the ball but when they do they are generally productive. He'll need that kind of production against a Bills offense that can light up the scoreboard. He used Nelson Agholor, DeVante Parker, Hunter Henry and Stevenson out of the backfield effectively while throwing for 382 yards. The Patriots pass protection was much improved in Minnesota, where Mac Jones had his best game in over a year. Epenesa (3.5 sacks) already missed the Lions game with injuries as well. Their play has been bolstered by a solid pass rush that has 30 sacks on the season, and that group was dealt a blow when Von Miller (eight sacks) went down with a knee injury. Still, the Bills secondary has held up reasonably well, allowing 221.6 yards per game (19th) through air and 6.27 yards per pass (10th). Hyde (neck) is out for the season, and his talented partner Jordan Poyer has dealt with an elbow problem most of the year. White made his debut in the Lions game as he continues to recover from a torn ACL suffered last Thanksgiving in New Orleans. The Bills also lost corner Christian Benford (oblique) in the Detroit game and have placed the rookie on IR. Buffalo has been without starting corners Tre'Davious White and Kaiir Elam as well as safety Micah Hyde for stretches of the season. Injuries have ravaged the Bills secondary all season and the Patriots are coming off their best offensive game of the season. The Patriots have had some success on the ground against the Bills in the past so perhaps this is the week the production returns to early-season levels. Aggressive linebackers Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard and Tremaine Edmunds are fast to the ball as well, although Edmunds missed the last two games with a groin injury. The Bills boast a deep front that uses a lot of bodies including Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones and Jordan Phillips inside. The makeshift offensive line also hasn't helped, although David Andrews has a chance to return to the lineup after being a gametime decision on Thanksgiving. Harris missed time with a hamstring problem, an illness and most recently had to leave the Vikings game early due to a thigh injury. Rhamondre Stevenson continues to be the workhorse as Damien Harris is having a hard time kicking the injury bug. Buffalo ranks seventh in the league, allowing 105.6 yards per game on the ground and ninth at 4.24 yards per carry. The production that was evident early in the season has all but disappeared, and it won't be easy to regain that form against a Bills team that has been solid stopping the run. Against Minnesota the Patriots managed just 45 yards on 13 carries for a 3.5-yard average. The team hasn't averaged 4 yards per carry in a game since October 9 in a win over Detroit. The Patriots running game has gone cold in recent weeks.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |