Predicting Patriots vs Bills Week 17 - PatriotsLife roundtable
It's pretty obvious that when you poll a couple Patriots bloggers, they are probably going to pick their team to win. So, instead we look at where we do differ- the final score.
Here's a roundup of some of our writers predictions for the close of the regular season - Buffalo Bills vs New England.
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Paul Murphy (@_prmurphy)
Bills by 6
This is the first time since 2004 that the Bills have won 8 games. With something to play for, Buffalo takes full advantage of New England's inactivity.
A first quarter sack by Buffalo De Mario Williams limits the playing of QB Tom Brady. The first offense is on the field for only two drives. Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman were in for only three plays.
The Bills led at halftime, 13-10. QB Kyle Orton ran for a two yard score, and led two other long drives for field goals by K Dan Carpenter.
Patriots QB Jimmy Garoppolo had a solid game at the helm. He threw for 208 yards on 14 of 22 passing, and scampered for a nine yard TD run .
The Bills stopped the Patriots on the final drive when the Hail Mary pass from Garoppolo fell incomplete in the end zone. There were no injuries in the penalty free game. The referees only tossed seven flags on the afternoon.
Buffalo 26 New England 20
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Patriots by 5
The Pats will be in full throttle the first half of the game. Look for long drives and for Tom to air the ball out to try and hit receivers deep. With a lead at half time many of the starters will not take the field. The running game won't be much of a factor in the first half, we are more likely to see Vereen in the back field than anyone else.
Orton will go down the field but settle for field goals constantly. They will be right back in the game once the Patriots second string is in during the second half, but some tough red zone defense and perhaps some turnovers will keep them from taking the lead despite multiple opportunities to do so.
Garoppolo will move the ball a bit but won't be able to finish drives and may turn the ball with a stout Bills defensive front being in his face. The Patriots will win simply because of the Bills offense stumbling over themselves rather than a solid effort by the back ups.
Buffalo 19 Patriots 24
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Patriots by 3
I think the Bills will give the Patriots all they can handle on Sunday. Jimmy Garappolo will likely see some serious time on Sunday, as the Pats have nothing to play for except pride. I think Jimmy will have his struggles against the Bills defense, which has been pretty good this year.
I think this game will be won by the Patriots defense, who will get pressure on Klye Orton and force a few key mistakes.
Patriots 24-21
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Patriots by 9
Don't expect Tom Brady to see much bench time in the Patriots regular season finale this Sunday. It has never been Bill Belichick's modus operandi and I think he'll keep true to form. The Bill's have one of the best defenses in the NFL and will give Brady some trouble. They will struggle a little in the first half before getting going. Brady will play through the 3rd quarter before taking a back seat to Jimmy Garoppolo.
Kyle Orton will be able to move the ball between the 20's. Once in the red zone however he will find the Pats defense less willing to give up yards leading to more field goals than touchdowns for the Bills. The Patriots will play a decent amount of zone coverage which will lead to a productive day for Sammy Watkins, but he won't break any big plays on the Pats and all of his production will be underneath.
In the 4th, Garoppolo will be asked to handle the offense much like Brady, and move the ball effectively. With a full season of practice and film study under his belt, Belichick will want to see how he's progressed and how he's processing information.
Pats 28
Bills 19
