We are officially entering the last six weeks of the 2025 NFL season, and the New England Patriots have shocked almost everyone with their impressive year that looks to be headed for the playoffs. There are a few more tough battles left on the docket, one of which is playing the Bills at Gillette Stadium in Week 15, and it's crucial New England wins that second matchup.
It should be a little easier since they have already faced the Bills in Buffalo, but home games haven't been too kind to the Patriots in recent years, and one of the Bills' latest signings just made their impending game a bit more difficult than it was last month.
After requesting his release from the Saints last week, wide receiver Brandin Cooks signed with the reigning AFC East champions on Tuesday, hoping to become Josh Allen's go-to weapon for the rest of the season.
Signed WR Brandin Cooks. pic.twitter.com/1yAxc3fBnf
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) November 25, 2025
Because one of the biggest complaints people have had about the Bills this season has been their lack of sufficient weapons for Allen to work with, Cooks will presumably fill that role nicely. And based on how good he has been throughout his career, he will create problems for the Patriots' secondary.
Brandin Cooks signing with the Bills just created a new mess for the Patriots' defense to deal with
Cooks spent the 2017 season with the Patriots and put together the third 1,000+ receiving yard season of his career. He immediately earned Tom Brady's trust and ended the year with just two yards less than Rob Gronkowski, who was, as we know, one of the quarterback's favorite targets.
It looked like the team had finally gotten the missing piece to their offense, only for Bill Belichick to trade him to the Rams the following offseason.
Cooks has spent time with three teams in the years since, seeing his role dwindle with each new place he went, but hopes that won't be the case in Buffalo. Given how much help that offense needs beyond Allen, it wouldn't be surprising to see Cooks become their next WR1 and help elevate their chances of making the playoffs, and better yet, winning the division.
That means the Patriots' secondary will have more to account for in their next matchup, putting more pressure on players like Carlton Davis III and Christian Gonzalez. Cooks will probably join TE Dalton Kincaid as the leading receivers, who the cornerbacks had issues with slowing down, so they cannot let the Bills' newest receiver take over the game.
It certainly adds another element to the game whose result will ultimately determine who the AFC East champion will be. The Patriots have a lot working in their favor, so it would be disappointing to see them not take advantage of that.