Patriots: Extremely weird historical parallels mean Pats-Bills could be struggle
By Adam Weinrib
The New England Patriots have destroyed the Buffalo Bills every time they’ve matched up for several years, but is “history” on Buffalo’s side this time?
Patriots fans spent a lot of time worrying about the Bills this week following their dispiriting home loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but perhaps they should’ve been focusing harder on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Huh.
It’s starting to look a whole lot like 1988 these days. And while that’s incredible news for Hollywood, it’s somehow also quite depressing news for Pats Nation.
You remember ’88, right? It was the last time the Dodgers won a World Series, prior to a few days ago, as well as a beautiful time when Kirk Gibson and Showtime collided, with the Lake Show taking home the hardware as well.
That’s exactly what we’ve seen in the latter half of 2020, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis giving way to Mookie Betts, both earning rings for their efforts. So, what does this mean for this weekend’s bruising showdown in Buffalo? Well, in ’88, the Dodgers won their title during Week 8 of the NFL season, when an ugly Patriots-Bills showdown ultimately led to a triumphant year in upstate New York.
Follow me here…
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) October 29, 2020
Dodgers last won WS during @NFL Week 8, 1988.
ALSO that week:
*Cowboys were 2-5, lost to Eagles, finished 3-13.
*1st place Bills beat Patriots, finished 12-4.
ALSO in 1988:
*Browns made playoffs
*3 NFC West teams won 10 games
*Lakers won title@NFLResearch
Alright, that’s … at least a little bit strange. In addition to a similar schedule in Week 8 (the Cowboys and Eagles are both horrendous football teams and will be meeting on Sunday night), you’ve also got the surging Browns in the AFC North, as well as the NFC West at the peak of its powers.
This time around, it’s the Cardinals, Seahawks, Rams and 49ers, all with at least an outside shot at 10 wins.
Therefore, it’s safe to say that while this isn’t predictive about the Patriots-Bills battle this weekend, it’s at least a little creepy.
Of course, recent history that isn’t written in the stars is trending in New England’s direction.
From @ESPNStatsInfo: Patriots a 3.5-point underdog Sunday vs. the Bills. First time they have been a 'dog in an AFC East game since Week 2 of 2015 in Buffalo (1-point 'dog; 40-32 win). The 30-game streak as betting favorite in division games was easily the longest active streak.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 28, 2020
The Pats haven’t been in-division underdogs since Week 2 in 2015 against these very same Bills (they won, obviously), and have taken care of business against Buffalo for two straight decades, going 17-3 in the 2010s after an 18-2 mark in the 2000s.
At least you can hang your hat on that — 1988 was a long time ago, and the past 20 years have been far kinder to us.
