Bills Resting Key Players but Still Dominant, Patriots Searching for a Silver Lining
Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots Week 18 Preview: Can the Patriots End the Season on a High?
The Buffalo Bills (13-3) will clash with the New England Patriots (3-13) in a final AFC East divisional showdown on Sunday afternoon. With the Bills already securing the second seed in the AFC, this game has little impact on the standings, while the Patriots continue to struggle through a nightmarish season. Can the Bills continue their dominance, or will the Patriots find a way to upset their rivals in Week 18?
Buffalo Bills: Resting Players but Still a Force
The Buffalo Bills have already clinched the second seed in the AFC, meaning that their playoff positioning is set. However, this doesn’t mean they’ll take this game lightly. Buffalo has been in impressive form, winning 9 of their last 10 games, including a commanding 40-14 victory over the Jets last week, covering the 10.5-point spread.
Despite resting key players, the Bills remain a formidable opponent. Josh Allen (3,731 passing yards, 28 TDs, 6 INTs) could see limited action, with backup Mitch Trubisky likely to play more snaps. Allen’s ability to make plays both in the air and on the ground has been pivotal to Buffalo’s success. Additionally, running back James Cook has been a consistent contributor, rushing for 981 yards and 4 touchdowns, and will likely get more touches in this game.
The Bills’ offense is one of the NFL’s best, averaging 31.8 points per game (2nd in the league), and they’ve scored 30+ points in 9 of their last 10 contests. Khalil Shakir (821 receiving yards) continues to impress as a reliable receiving option behind the likes of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.
On defense, Buffalo has had its struggles, but they remain a top contender. Their pass defense ranks 22nd, and their rush defense sits at 13th. With some key defensive players being rested, this game will serve as a chance for depth players to prove themselves before the playoffs begin. Matt Milano is expected to sit out, and this could make the Patriots’ offense slightly more dangerous—though it’s unlikely they can capitalize on this weakened defense.
New England Patriots: Looking for a Silver Lining
The New England Patriots are closing out a disastrous season, holding the worst record in the NFL (3-13). A loss here would likely ensure the Patriots hold the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but that’s little solace for a team that’s failed to live up to expectations. New England has lost six straight games and suffered a crushing 40-7 defeat at the hands of the Chargers last week.
Drake Maye, the rookie quarterback, has shown glimpses of potential in a difficult season. Maye has posted 2,276 passing yards and a 15:10 TD-to-INT ratio, but his play has been inconsistent, especially with a hand injury. He’s thrown for 220 or more yards in four of his last six games, but with little help from his supporting cast, the Patriots’ offense has sputtered. Rhamondre Stevenson has struggled to find consistency in the running game, with just one 100-yard performance this season, though he leads the team with 801 rushing yards.
The Patriots’ receiving corps has also been underwhelming, with Hunter Henry managing just 674 yards this season. Demario Douglas has been a slight bright spot with 587 receiving yards, but the lack of big-play threats has limited the offense significantly. New England is averaging just 16.6 points per game, which ranks 30th in the league, and the offense has failed to score more than 21 points in four of its last five games.
Defensively, the Patriots have not been much better. They’ve allowed 25 or more points in four of their last five games, including a 24-21 defeat to the Bills last month. The pass defense is decent, ranking 15th, but their rush defense is a glaring weakness, sitting at 25th overall. Kyle Dugger, a key defensive player, is listed as questionable for this game, which could further complicate matters for a Patriots defense that’s already struggling to contain opposing offenses.
Conclusion
The Buffalo Bills are poised to finish the regular season on a high note, even if their playoff standing is already secured. The New England Patriots, meanwhile, will look to salvage some respectability in a tough season, but the matchup with Buffalo promises to be another uphill battle. With the Patriots’ offense stagnating and their defense struggling to contain the Bills’ high-powered attack, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where New England can pull off the upset.
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