By Lizandro Gutiérrez (@ nasandro12). Follow your project on @nacionpatriots and nacionpatriota.com
Blessed NFL that every week gives us stories and situations worthy of causing emotion. This week 13 will be time for the Eastern division of the American Conference to define its best team. In a Monday night game, they will collide with the emerging project of the Buffalo Bills, against some New England Patriots rebuilt in record time by Bill Belichick.
Patriots and Bills, at different times
In the offseason we were predicting the Bills would smoothly dominate their division. Instead, for the Patriots, the best that was said was that by week 13, perhaps they would have already decided to start the Mac Jones era as a result of a difficult first season as a professional.
Yet by the grace of life, the NFL is anything but predictable and con great work from Bill Belichick crying out for the Coach of the Year award, New England is leading the East division with an 8-4 record; leaving behind some Bills who have had many problems and second to Foxborough with a 7-4 record. And how about the Pats offense with Mac Jones at the controls? Check out this tweet:
New England Patriots: 49.6% scoring drive percentage
Highest rate in the NFL ???? pic.twitter.com/S3BKdCDsc8
— PFF (@PFF) December 1, 2021
The cold reality of numbers
No one can doubt that overall, Buffalo has a better roster and outperforms New England in several areas. They both have great defenses, but the Bills’ is, in numbers, first in the league, leaving the Patriots in 10th place. This clashes a lot with the vision test, which shows us that the defense that has played better this year it’s New England.
This does not stop there: Buffalo’s defense has been dominant at times, however, it has fewer stolen balls (16) than New England (25). Important fact since the Patriots not only live by stealing the ball, they have been very solid in their level and the steals have been a consequence of their good performance.
Speaking of offense, things have gradually changed for each team. Buffalo started at a high level and expectation, but outside of a great game against Kansas City, the QB Josh Allen and his group have not been what we expected. In New England they are not much better, however, the positive is that they have gone from less to more and Jones is gaining experience and growing week by week.
Patriots and Bills are reflections of their head coaches
Buffalo continues to live on the credit of its excellent 2020 year and some good games this year. Sean McDermott He’s a great head coach, but this year he hasn’t had answers in two of the worst games for the Bills. His losses to the Jaguars and the Colts were characterized by poor offensive performances and, in the case of the Indianapolis visit, he had a horrible day in ground defense, which had no response for Jonathan Taylor. Those games brought down the spirits of the fans and created great doubts about the still favorites to win the division.
Still hungry. ????@OxfordPennant | https://t.co/LZQzQB6HJz pic.twitter.com/RThtbl0iX9
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 26, 2021
On the other hand, in New England, there is certainty and tranquility with Bill Belichick, because despite many criticisms (most of them deserved) at the beginning of the season, little by little he has recovered the level of his players and assistants to give the team another face . True: They are suddenly vulnerable on rushing defense and offense is susceptible to erratic play, just like their rookie passer. The note here is that even though the Bills are favorites by 2.5 points, the moment is with those of Boston and in Buffalo they are really nervous.
An important game for the entire AFC
It’s not just New England and Buffalo that are playing a lot on Monday. The winner will take control of the division and walk as the most dangerous team in the playoffs. The Bills have stumbled, but they have something to regain level with. However, the greatest danger is in the Patriots, who are taking pace, confidence and more than anything, that aura with which they can overcome any difficulty or rival.
Watch out NFL, the Patriot Way is recharged
Are the Bills the last opponent New England needs to be considered favorites? Will Buffalo hold the pressure of being a favorite and playing poorly? We read them in the comments under this article and on our social networks, and. Remember, we are all First and Ten!
