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

Key matchups for the Patriots in week thirteen

Patriots secondary vs. Stefon Diggs

For the second straight game the Patriots secondary will be tested by going up against one of the NFL’s premier wide receivers. Last week, they failed in their quest to contain Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson as he tallied nine receptions (on 11 targets) for 139 yards and a touchdown. This week, they get Stefon Diggs who has already put up an entire season’s worth of numbers: 84 receptions, 1,110 yards and nine touchdowns. In three games a season ago, the Patriots gave up 14 receptions for 197 yards and a touchdown to Diggs with most of the coverage provided by J.C. Jackson. In the matchup at Gillette, Diggs posted seven catches for 85 yards and a key touchdown late in the game.

I imagine it will be Jonathan Jones who gets the matchup against Diggs to start as he was often times lined up opposite of Jefferson. Jones missed all of the matchups against the Bills last year so it will be good to have him for this one. The smaller and speedier Jones seems to be the best matchup for Diggs with Jalen Mills taking Gabriel Davis and there is always a safety who can be used over the top for help. It will be interesting to see how the Patriots try to stop the Bills passing attack in a matchup of strength vs. strength.