The Patriots Will Look to Legitimize Themselves in Their Week 15 Matchup Against the Bills
Even at 11-2, the New England Patriots are still looked upon as underdogs heading into their Week 15 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. While the Patriots have won their last 10 games, the Bills are on a two-game win streak and aren’t looking to slow down the momentum anytime soon as they gear up to clinch a playoff spot and possibly the division. Buffalo’s first step in taking the AFC East is defeating New England to put the Bills just one game behind the Patriots, with three games to be played after. Yet, can New England legitimize themselves as a threat and a Super Bowl contender with a Week 15 win over one of their biggest division rivals or be looked at as frauds for the rest of the year?
In their October 5th matchup, Bills running back James Cook recorded 15 carries for just 49 yards. It’s necessary in this Week 15 contest that Cook plays lights out in order for Buffalo to achieve a win. Quarterback Josh Allen put up 253 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, while also leading the Bills with 53 rushing yards. Allen needs to play at the same MVP-type level he did last season, especially in a huge regular-season matchup like this one.
For New England, former Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs had the biggest game of his season thus far, making 10 catches for 146 yards. Diggs will look to have another big-time performance in this Sunday’s game, even with getting the upper hand against his former team the first time around. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye must have an MVP performance and continue to prove the doubters wrong. Maye has raised the elevation of New England’s play tenfold, yet with a possible Super Bowl contender opponent such as the Bills, it’s important for the sophomore quarterback to play his best game yet. In Week Five, New England’s defense recorded two fumble recoveries and an interception. Before their Bye Week, the Patriots recorded a fumble recovery against the Giants. If the defense can pick up easy points for the offense, this could put Maye and the Patriots over a threat like the Bills.
A Week 15 win for the Patriots would mean clinching the NFL Playoffs for the first time since 2021. Defeating a massive rival like the Bills and establishing their dominance in the regular season could prove to be a major confidence booster for a Patriots team that looks to have unlimited potential. Yet, for Buffalo, a Week 15 win could establish momentum as we head closer to the end of the regular season. A potential three-game win streak at hand, then playing weak opponents like the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets, plus a Philadelphia Eagles team that is struggling to find their identity, could prove to be what puts the Bills in the Super Bowl talks.
