AFC WILD CARD GAME 2: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT BUFFALO BILLS

BY ADAM GREENE

If the third time’s the charm, then this one could be a solid nightcap for the Saturday Wild Card games to open our weekend. The New England Patriots make their triumphant return to the playoffs for the first time without Tom Brady in almost two decades when they travel to upstate New York to take on their arch rivals, the Buffalo Bills.

The AFC East came down to the wire last week, but the Pats would have lost it regardless. New England handed the division to the Bills with a loss to the Miami Dolphins, but Buffalo put the stomp on the New York Jets anyway just to seal the deal.

This is the 125^th all time meeting between the two franchises and the third this season. They split this year, with the Pats taking the first game 14-10 and Buffalo the second 33-21. Josh Allen threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns in the win and rushed for 64 yards. Isaiah McKenzie caught 11 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. Mac Jones had a terrible game, completing 14 of 32 for 145 yards and two interceptions. Damien Harris rushed 18 times for 103 yards and three TDs.

This will be only the second postseason meeting between the teams. The Boston Patriots beat the Bills 26-8 in the AFL Playoffs back on Dec. 12, 1963.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT BUFFALO BILLS (-4, O/U: 44)

Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, N.Y.

Broadcast: CBS

Kickoff: Jan. 15, 8:15 p.m.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (10-7)

With a chance to possibly slip in and claim the AFC East, the Patriots were thoroughly dominated by the Miami Dolphins, losing 33-24 in what would turn out to be Brian Flores’ final game as a head coach (for now). Mac Jones finished 20 of 30 for 261 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Pats rushed for 134 yards as a team and Hunter Henry caught five passes for 86 yards. New England’s defense sacked Tua Tagovailoa once.

BUFFALO BILLS (11-6)

The Bills reeled off their fourth win in a row to secure their second straight AFC East title with a 27-10 curb stomp of the New York Jets last Sunday. Josh Allen finished 24 of 45 for 239 yards and tow touchdowns. Devin Singletary rushed 19 times for 88 yards and a touchdown. Stefon Diggs caught nine passes for 81 yards and a score. Buffalo’s defense sacked Zach Wilson eight times and Jameson Crowder once on a reverse pass attempt. They held New York to just 48 yards rushing.

THE PICK

After an embarrassing loss to the Pats a little over a month ago where Jones completed all of two passes, the Bills righted the ship in a hurry. I’m not sure this is a team that can make it to the AFC Championship again. The conference is much more top-heavy this season, but they should crush a team with a rookie QB making his first playoff start. Bills 31, Patriots 16

Last Week

Straight up: 11-5

Against the spread: 10-6

Season

Straight up: 170-101-1

Against the spread: 143-129

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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