The Buffalo Bills are coming off a difficult division loss in Week Seven to the Miami Dolphins. The loss snapped a four game win streak after starting the season 0-2. This week brings another divisional match-up as rival New England comes to New Era Field. When the Bills and Patriots met in Week Four at Foxborough, it was under much different circumstances. It was the last game of Tom Brady’s suspension for “deflategate” and the team’s offense was almost non-existent without him. Brady is playing at a high level and the Patriots seem poised for another playoff run. There are three key aspects of Sunday’s game the Bills need to try and control if they hope to beat the Patriots in Week Eight.
Buffalo Bills Week Eight Keys to Victory
Win Battle at Line of Scrimmage
Last week, the Buffalo Bills offensive line was dominated by the defensive line of the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo, to this point, has had one of the best rushing attacks in the league, as well as the second best rushing defense. Last week the Bills were held to just 67 yards rushing, and allowed 256 yards on the ground to the Dolphins. This week the Bills will need to flip that statistic and win the battle up-front. Richie Incognito and Eric Wood need to keep the offensive line focused and on the same page. The Bills line can not afford to miss blocking assignments and put Tyrod Taylor in long field position.
The Bills have to keep the running game going and keep pressure of Taylor, in order to allow him to throw when he needs or, take off from the pocket. Don’t get behind on down and distance and force Taylor to win the game himself, making the offense extremely one-dimensional. This task is even more crucial with the health of LeSean McCoy in question. If McCoy plays, and is not his usual shifty self, he may need more time to make cuts or burst through a hole. This means the line must hold its blocks longer. Offensive line play will be crucial in this game.
Blanket Rob Gronkowski
Tom Brady’s biggest threat on third down or in the red zone is by far Rob Gronkowski. In the Patriots six wins this season, Gronkowski has 16 receptions for 364 yards and two touchdowns, while missing two contests altogether, and being limited in another. In the Week Four loss to the Bills Gronkowski only had one catch for 11 yards. Granted, Brady was not playing that game. The best way the Bills can hope to slow down Gronkowski is to disguise coverages and hope to somehow double team him.
Bills head coach Rex Ryan is a big fan of keeping offenses confused and guessing. Not an easy trick to pull on a quarterback the caliber of Tom Brady. Showing a blitz and then dropping an additional linebacker into the secondary may be the best way to try and deflect or intercept a pass headed for Gronkowski. This tactic will at least make it as difficult as possible for Gronkowski to become a huge factor. This will also prevent him from running to the end zone when he does make a catch.
Control Field Position
In order for the Bills to beat the Patriots, they will have to excel in all three phase of the game. This means special teams will play a vital role in what could prove to be a close game. The goal will be to create a long field for the Patriots offense to drive. Keeping Brady and the Patriots offense backed up against there goal line will only help to serve the Bills defense. Buffalo has done well this season covering punts and kickoffs. In fact, the Bills opponents’ average starting field position has been the 26 yard line, which ranks them 11th in the league.
The only problem is that the Patriots are currently number one in that statistic with an average at the 23 yard line. Buffalo needs to try and flip this advantage to their side this week. Bills punter Colton Schmidt probably never figured he would play such a critical role in deciding a game. Odds are he will get his fare share of work on Sunday.
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