One thing the Bills can't do in TNF matchup with Patriots
The Buffalo Bills (8-4) can’t afford to give up any ground in what has become a four-team race for the AFC East. With a Thursday night road test against the New England Patriots (6-5) looming, Buffalo must shutdown a key playmaker. Heading into Thursday’s game, one of the biggest question marks on the Patriots’ side […]
The Buffalo Bills (8-4) can’t afford to give up any ground in what has become a four-team race for the AFC East. With a Thursday night road test against the New England Patriots (6-5) looming, Buffalo must shutdown a key playmaker.
Heading into Thursday’s game, one of the biggest question marks on the Patriots’ side was the health of its leading receiver Jakobi Meyers.
In last week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, it was Meyers who left the game due to a shoulder injury. Though he eventually made a return, his status for the team’s game against the Bills was up in the air.
On Tuesday, the Patriots received clarity on Meyers’ status. While addressing reporters, Meyers revealed that his shoulder is feeling "a lot better.”
Meyers’ 571 receiving yards are over 150 yards clear of the nearest Pats pass catcher in DeVante Parker (420).
He’s going to receive plenty of attention from the Bills’ secondary on Thursday, but Buffalo must hold him to a certain number in order to leave town with a win.
The Patriots are 6-1 this season when Meyers records over 50 receiving yards. It’s not a dynamic passing attack in New England, but it’s one that must be held in check, especially considering the team has a tendency to throw to running back Rhamondre Stevenson.
Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and his talented Bills defense will have to pick their poison. Buffalo can survive if just one of the two aforementioned players get going in the passing game, but problems could arise if quarterback Mac Jones spreads the wealth.
Featured image via David Butler II – USA TODAY Sports
