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Three key matchups to watch as Patriots host Bills on Thursday night

By Fran Brown

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 26: Matt Judon #9 of the New England Patriots tackles Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 26: Matt Judon #9 of the New England Patriots tackles Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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BUFFALO, NEW YORK – JANUARY 15: Rhamondre Stevenson #38 of the New England Patriots runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2022 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NEW YORK – JANUARY 15: Rhamondre Stevenson #38 of the New England Patriots runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2022 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /

Key matchups for the Patriots in week thirteen

Patriots running attack vs. Buffalo front seven

With coach Sean McDermott’s background, it’s no surprise that the Bills have a strong defense as they rank in the top-10 in both passing defense and rushing defense. The rush defense in particular has been solid as they have given up the seventh-fewest rushing yards in the NFL (1,162). However, they have shown a tendency, especially lately, to give up big chunks of yards on the ground. In losses to the Jets and Vikings, the Bills gave up 174 and 147 rushing yards respectively. In a win over Green Bay, the Bills gave up a season-high 208 rushing yards. To make matters worse, the Bills currently have an illness going through their locker room which knocked out leading tackler Damar Hamlin from practice on Monday. The good news is linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was back after missing the previous two games.

The news has been up and down on the Patriots side as well as running back Damien Harris will reportedly miss the game as he deals with a thigh injury suffered in Minnesota. This again puts the onus on Rhamondre Stevenson to carry the load both in the running game and as the passing back. The good news is that center David Andrews is trending towards playing after missing last week’s game due to injury. His absence was felt in the running game as the Patriots ran for a season-low 45 yards on 15 carries. The Patriots ability to run the ball and control the clock will be huge in keeping the Bills offense off the field.

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