When the Buffalo Bills (6-9) defeated the New England Patriots (12-3) this past September, it was the first Bills victory over their division rival in eight long years. And while at the time it appeared as though a changing of the guard in the AFC East may be in play, the weeks that followed revealed two teams headed in decidedly different, albeit familiar directions.
Lead by their future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, the Patriots righted the ship en route to a 9-3 record since that fall afternoon to enter this weekend's matchup with a 12-3 record that has them poised to capture the AFC's number one playoff seed with a win. The Patriots offense machine enters their final regular season matchup averaging a staggering 424.5 yards of total offense each game, second only to New Orleans. The Bills allow an average 364.4 total yards per week, making them the league's 24th best defense.
Buffalo's beloved Bills been absolutely ravaged by injuries since their early season victory over New England, and followed their renaissance 5-2 start with a ghastly 2-7 streak that has them entering the season's final week out of playoff contention at 6-9.
Brady leads the Patriots vaunted passing attack with his three-headed dragon of a receiver core lead by tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez and further complimented by wide receiver Wes Welker. Gronkowski has already set an NFL record for touchdown receptions this season with 15.
It remains to be seen how much action the Patriots star offensive players will see Sunday, given the fact that their playoff position is secure. An early spate of points could grant extended playing time to backup quarterback Brian Hoyer and the Patriots running game. Rookie running back Stephen Ridley appears to have usurped veteran presence Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis in the Patriots backfield, although Green-Ellis is usually the choice in short-yardage goal line opportunities.
The Bills offensive stars are listed up and down the club's injured reserve list, which features a staggering 15 players who are out for the season. Veteran running back Fred Jackson, kicker Rian Lindell, wide reciever Roscoe Parrish all highlight the Bills inactives.
Buffalo has been equally ravaged on the defensive side, and will once again be without veteran defensive end Reggie Torbor, cornerback Terrance McGee and linebacker Shawne Merriman.
New England's young defense has been suspect all season and is susceptible to big passing numbers, however it remains to be seen whether Buffalo can field the personnel necessary to mount any kind of challenge to the schemes of the Pats defensive-minded head coach Bill Belichick.
Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has played horribly since his excellent early season start and will have few formidable weapons outside wide recievers Steve Johnson and David Nelson.
With low temperatures and light snowfall in the potential forecast, weather could also be a factor in slowing down the scoring in this season finale.
Although pride and the possibility of a season series sweep of a division rival are the only things motivating Buffalo's ramshackled squad, the Patriots need a win to secure the AFC's number one playoff seed, guaranteeing them homefield advantage throughout the playoffs and a first week bye in the tournament.
The NFL's efforts to improve competitive balance have made it a week-to-week league this season, where upstart teams topple playoff bound teams on a seemingly weekly basis. That said, from a sheer personnel standpoint the Patriots appear to have more than enough to topple Buffalo this weekend and may even be able to grant significant rest to the majority of their stars while they do it, leaving them in prime position for the upcoming playoffs.
