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New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills: 6 Players to watch for

By Kenneth Teape

FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 23: James White #28 of the New England Patriots reacts with Danny Amendola #80 after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on November 23, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 23: James White #28 of the New England Patriots reacts with Danny Amendola #80 after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on November 23, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots rack up Player of the Week honors for Week 10
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 14: Dion Lewis #33 celebrates with Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 14, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

Dion Lewis

Coming into training camp there were whispers that Dion Lewis may not make the cut. The Patriots reloaded the running back position in the offseason, bringing on Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee. Lewis looked to be the odd man out, but an injury to Burkhead and Gillislee’s ineffectiveness opened up an opportunity and he took it and ran, literally.

Lewis began taking over control of the backfield against the Jets in Week 6 and never looked back. Since that week he has led the Patriots backfield in carries each game and performed very well.

Lewis has received at least 10 carries in each game since then and has been great. The Patriots running game has gotten on track with Lewis taking over the early-down work in favor of Gillislee.

Lewis should find some room to run against the Bills. They are surrendering 114 yards per game on the ground, which ranks 21st in the NFL. With Lewis ascending and the Bills defense struggling against the run, it could result in the perfect storm for the Patriots offense.

The ground game could be where the Patriots attack the Bills. In addition to the yardage, they have surrendered 16 rushing touchdowns, the most in the NFL. Could this be the game that Gillislee is mixed back in? If not, Lewis could handle the short yardage work and have himself a big game against a susceptible run defense.

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