Breaking Down the Key Players and Storylines for This AFC East ClashThe New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills are set to face off in a Sunday Night National TV clash. The Bills enter the contest 4-0, while the Pats are just .500 at 2-2. The Bills have aspirations as Super Bowl favorites. However, the Bills in the last 5 years have had 0 appearances in either Conference Championships or subsequent Super Bowl appearances under Sean McDermott.The Bills haven’t played the toughest schedule and their 4-0 record is a bit deceiving. They thrashed a Baltimore Ravens, a team that has stumbled out of the gate, along with the NY Jets and Miami Dolphins. A combined 2 wins through 4 weeks. The Bills have benefited in the past few years by avoiding major injuries. Sean McDermott is the number one coach in the league that I dislike, but you have to give him his props as he has entered the Top 10 coaches in the league because of the consistency he has gotten out of his teams. Here are some of the important Bills Team stats:Scoring differential: +43 (3rd)Turnover differential: +3 (t-6th)Offense: 33.3 points/game (2nd), 404.0 yards/game (2nd), 1 giveaway (t-1st), 0.357 EPA/dropback (1st), 0.091 EPA/run (1st)Defense: 22.5 points/game (17th), 290.0 yards/game (11th), 4 giveaways (t-14th), -0.023 EPA/dropback (8th), 0.066 EPA/run (28th)Understand the teams they have played against have won just 2 games! The Patriots have played teams that are slightly more competitive (6 wins combined). The Bills haven’t played any teams with a winning record yet.Offense 3WR 1TE
Starter
2nd
3rd
QB
Josh Allen
Mitchell Trubisky
–
RB
James Cook
Ty Johnson
Ray Davis
WR
Keon Coleman
Curtis Samuel
–
WR
Khalil Shakir
Elijah Moore
–
WR
Joshua Palmer
Tyrell Shavers
–
TE
Dalton Kincaid
Dawson Knox
Jackson Hawes Q
FB
Reggie Gilliam
–
LT
Dion Dawkins
Ryan Van Demark
–
LG
David Edwards
Alec Anderson
–
C
Connor McGovern
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
–
RG
O’Cyrus Torrence
–
–
RT
Spencer Brown Q
Chase Lundt
Tylan Grable IR
Josh Allen is what makes the Bills go. His size, speed, and rush ability make him the leading candidate for MVP. Like Tom Brady, he makes mediocre players play well above their ability.Allen leads all quarterbacks in rushing EPA. He’s third in the NFL in yards per drop back, 2nd QR (77.6), 2nd EPA, 1 in QBERT Rating (100.6), 1st at QB by NFL.com. He has thrown 5 TDs with no Interceptions, fumbled 1 time while rushing for 114 yards. His accuracy throwing to his backs is #1, although they have a high rate of dropped passes.Allen has also just become so consistent at executing Joe Brady’s offense play after play and drive after drive. His ability to avoid the negative plays is exceptional. He has turned the ball over once in four games, an interception nearly 40 yards downfield on third-and-long last week against the Saints.The Bills run the ball very well. They are averaging 4.9 yards per carry (YPC), topping the league. James Cook is the bell cow runner. He has run the ball 75 times for 401 yards (100 yds/gam) for a 5.3 YPC. Add 5 TDs to just 1 Fumble. Allen has run for 159 yards and 5.1 YPC. Ray Davis and Ty Johnson will be used as change of pace backs and are very capable, but as long as Cook is healthy, they won’t see much playing time.You must link the Bills run game with the outstanding job their Offensive line does. The Bills’ offensive line has been a model of health and continuity. RT Spencer Brown is the only Bills offensive lineman to miss a start due to injury since the end of the 2022 season. The starting unit played all 17 games together in 2023, and all but two games in 2024, with one being when starters were rested against the Patriots in Week 18. Spencer returned to practice on Wednesday after missing last week’s game versus New Orleans. His backup, Ryan Van Demark played very well with a PFF Grade of 78 while giving up one sack. His stats are 1 Sack, 1, QB Hit, 1 Hurry, 1 Pressure and 0 penalties.
(PHOTO: Douglas DeFelice – USA TODAY Sports)
Brown, a 6’8”, 311-pound mammoth tackle from Northern Iowa, was drafted by the Bills in the 2021 Draft, 3rd round (93). At his Pro Day je ram a 4.93 40 which is outstanding for his size. His PFF Grade is 74.7 for a true rating of 14th amongst all Tackles. His stats are 0 Sack, 1, QB Hit, 8 Hurry, 9 Pressures and 1 penalty.At RG is O’Cyrus Torrence the 6’5”, 357-pound road grader. He played 3 years at Louisiana Lafayette before Transferring fir his final season at Florida, where he was selected as 1st Team All-SEC. Buffalo drafted him in the 2023 draft 2nd Round (59). His PFF Grade is 62.6, 30th amongst Guards. His stats are 1 Sack, 0 QB Hit, 8 Hurry, 9 Pressures and 0 penalty. At Center Conner McDermott handles snapping duties. Entering his 7th season out of Penn State, the 6’5” 318-pound Center was drafted in the 2019 draft, 3rd round (90) by Dallas. In 2024 he was selected to the Pro Bowl. His PGFF Grade is 63.9, good for 16th amongst Centers. His stats are 0 Sack, 1, QB Hit, 3 Hurry, 4 Pressure and 1 penalty. David Edwards has been the starter at Left Guard since The 6’6”, 308-pound Guard from Wisconsin was drafted in 2019 5th Round (169) by LA Rams. His PFF Grade is 75.3, good for 7th amongst Centers. His stats are 0 Sacks, 0 QB Hits, 3 Hurries, 4 Pressures and 1 Penalty.Dion Dawkins is a rock at left Tackle and one of the best Tackles in the league. Entering his 9th season in the league, the 6’4” 320-pound Tackle was drafted by Buffalo out of Temple in the 2nd Round (63) of the 2017 draft. Dawkins has been selected to 4 Pro Bowls. His PFF Grade of 77.8 is 7th amongst Tackles and his stats are 1 Sack, 0 QB Hits, 3 Hurries, 5 Pressures and 4 Penalties.The Wide Receiver room is made up of just a bunch of JAG’s (Just Another Guy) that Allen makes look good. 2nd year player Keon Coleman leads the team with 17 receptions on 22 targets for 203 yards, 11.9 YPC and 1 TD. The 6’3”. 213-pound wideout played at Michigan State and Florida State before being drafted in the 2023 Draft, 2nd Round (33) by Buffalo. Khalil Shakir is second on the team with 16 catches on 20 targets for 190 yards, 11.9 YPC and 2 TDs. The 6’, 190-pound wideout from Boise State was drafted by Buffalo in the 22 Draft, 5th Round (169). Josh Palmer has 10 catches on 16 targets for 138 yards, 13.8 YPC and 0 TDs. The 6’1” 203-popund wide receiver came over from Los Angelas Chargers as a Free Agent this season. He played at Tennessee and was drafted in the 2021 Draft 3rd round (77) by LA. Curtis Samuel and Elijah Moore round out the Receivers. James Cook is a dangerous out of the backfield and added 12 catches on 13 Targets for 89 yards (7.4).The TE Group is very good and relied upon by Allen. Dalton Kincaid is 6’4”, 240-pound TE out of Utah. The Bills selected Kincaid in the 1st round (25) of the 2023 draft. For the season he has 14 receptions on 18 targets for 179 yards (12.8) and 3 TDs. Dawson Know, the 6;4” 254-pound TE is another good TE with 4 catches on 8 targets for 39yards (9,8) and o0 TDs. Buffalo selected a TE I liked in the draft this year in Jackson Hawes. He played 4 years at Yale and spent a graduate year at Georgia Tech. They took the 6’4” 253-pound TE with their 2025 5th Round (173) pick. He has 4 receptions on 4 targets and a TD.Defense 4-3
Starter
2nd
3rd
4th
LDE
Greg Rousseau
AJ Epenesa
Michael Hoecht SUSP
–
LDT
Ed Oliver Q
Deone Walker
Larry Ogunjobi SUSP
–
RDT
DaQuan Jones
T.J. Sanders
DeWayne Carter IR
RDE
Joey Bosa
Javon Solomon
Landon Jackson
WLB
Matt Milano Q
Shaq Thompson
–
MLB
Terrel Bernard
Joe Andreessen
SLB
Dorian Williams Q
–
–
–
LCB
Tre’Davious White
Ja’Marcus Ingram
Maxwell Hairston IR
SS
Taylor Rapp
Damar Hamlin
Wande Owens IR
–
FS
Cole Bishop
Sam Franklin
RCB
Christian Benford
Dorian Strong
–
–
NB
Taron Johnson
Cam Lewis
Brandon Codrington
Jordan Hancock
This might be the best Defensive Line the Patriots will play all season. Thank goodness they practiced against the Minnesota Vikings D-line because the Bills front 4 are that good. It starts with Joey Bosa at RDE. He will be matched up against Will Campbell, and he is going to want to feast on the rookie. After playing 9 seasons for the Chargers, the 6’5”280-poiund Edge player signed a Free Agent contract with Buffalo. He was drafted by LAC in 2016 1st round (3) and then was selected the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016. He has also been selected to the Pro Bowl 5 times. His PFF Grade is 89.4 (7) and his stats are 8 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 3 QB Hits and 12 Hurries. His running mate of the Defensive Right side is 11-year vet DaQuan Jones. The 6’4”, 320-pound DT isn’t much on the pass rush. He doesn’t need to be and will probably be substituted for by TJ Sanders. He was selected by Tennessee in the 2014 Draft 4th Round (112) out of Penn State. PFF has given him a 74.8 Grade, good for 22nd amongst DTs. His stats are 6 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 0 QB Hits and 5 Hurries.Ed Olver has missed three games as he was hurt in the 1st game. The undersized 6’1”, 287-pound DT out of Houston is very disruptive. He was selected in the 2019 1st round (9). His stats include 6 Tackles, 1 sack, 1 QB Hit and 2 Hurries in just 35 snaps. He is expected to be back for the Patriots game since he was listed as Questionable on the Thursday Injury report. Greg Rousseau plays the Left Defensive End spot. He is also a very good pass rusher with 25 in his career. The 6’7”, 266 Edge player played at the University of Miami and was drafted by the Bills in the 2021 Draft 1st round (30). His PFF Grade is 83 which ranks him 17th. Stats on him are 8 Tackles, 1 Sack, 0 QB Hits, 8 Hurries. I need to mention two of the 2025 rookie draft picks that have filled in for Olver. Deonte Walker is a massive 6’7” 331 DT out of Kentucky taken in the 4th round (109). He was a 3 X All SEC 2nd Team player. The other is TJ Sanders, another rookie from the SEC. The South Carolina Gamecock stands 6’ 4”. 290-pounds and was taken by Buffalo in the 2nd round (41). These are two players I liked and were luxury picks for the Bills. The Bills first 6 picks in the Draft were on the Defensive side.It appears the Bills will get WLB Matt Milano back but will lose LB Dorian Williams who has been listed as Questionable and hasn’t participated in either Wednesday or Thursday’s practices. Milano only has a 30.2 PFF rating but has 9 tackles in only 68 snaps this year. The 6’ 223-pound Linebacker from Boston College was 2017 Draft 5th Round (163) selection. His stats are 9 tackles, 1 Sack, 0 QB Hits, and 0 Hurries. Terel Bernard is the ILB. He stands 6’1”, 224-pounds and played at Baylor. He was a 2022 Draft 2nd round (89) pick of Buffalo. PFF has graded him at 60.7, good for 73rd. His stats include 5 Tackles, 0 Sacks, 2 QB Hits and 3 Hurries. Shaq Thompson is a 10-year veteran who signed with Buffalo this off-season after 10 years with Carolina. The 6’ 230-pound linebacker was a 2015 Draft 1st Round (25) choice by Carolina out of Washington. He is often described as a “Big Nickel”. His PFF Grade is 90.3 which is good for 3rd amongst Linebackers. Thompson has contributed 9 tackles on the season, but no Sacks, QB Hits or Hurries.The secondary is led by Tre’Davious White who returned to the Bills in Free Agency. The LCB stands 5’11” 192-pounds and played at LSU. He was selected in the 1st round (27) of the 2017 draft by Buffalo. His PFF Grade is 61.1 (77). So far this season he has 15 Tackles and 2 Pass Breakups. Taylor Rapp plays the Strong Safety position. The former LA Ram joined the Bills last season. The 6’ 208-pound Safety out of Washington was taken by LA in the 2019 Draft 2bd round (61). His PFF grade is a woeful 47.6 good for 116th. He has 16 Tackles this season. Cole Bishop plays the Free Safety position. The 6’2” 207-pound Safety played at Utah. He was a 2024 Bills 2nd round (60) selection. His PFF Grade is 60.1 good for 83rd amongst Safeties. For the season he has 19 tackles, an Interception and a Pass Breakup.Christian Benford isa 6’1”, 205 CB out of Villanova. He was a 2022 Draft 6th Round (185) pick of Buffalo. The PFF Grade is 60.8 for the 79th position among CBs. For the season he has 19 tackles, and a tackle for loss. Taron Johnson is Nickel Back. The 5’11”, 192-pound DB was a 2018 4th round pick (121) of Buffalo. His PFF Grade is 60.8 good for 79th. He has 14 tackles, a tackle for loss and a Pass Breakup. Dorian Strong was selected in the 6th Round (121) this season. The Virginia product has contributed 10 Tackles this season and is pressing for more playing time. Have you noticed a trend here? Five of the six DBs were drafted and developed by the Bills. That is why teams like the Bills and Steelers can be competitive year after year because they draft well despite being lower in the draft orders. Consequently that is the main reason for the Patriots’ decline is poor drafting.Special Teams
Starter
2nd
3rd
4th
PK
Matt Prater
Tyler Bass IR
–
–
P
Mitch Wishnowsky
Cameron Johnston IR
H
Mitch Wishnowsky
Cameron Johnston IR
–
–
PR
Brandon Codrington
Khalil Shakir
Elijah Moore
Curtis Samuel
KR
Brandon Codrington
Ty Johnson
LS
Reid Ferguson
–
–
Tyler Bass is on IR, so all the Bills did was sign 19- year veteran Matt Prater. He has connected 88.9% of his FG attempts (12) and his FG Made is 11th. Prater holds the NFL record for the most Field Goals made over 50+ yards (81). Punter Cameron Johnston was placed on IR this week and the Bills went out and signed former 49’ers punter Mitch Wishnowsky. He kicked for 5 years in San Francisco. During his 5 years he averaged 45.6 yards per punt, and 42.0 net per punt. Those are the numbers that will get a punter canned. Wishnowsky will also handle placeholding duties. Brandon Codington returns both punts and kickoffs. As a Punt Returner he is ranked 20th with a 5.3 average. It’s as a Kickoff Return specialist that he is dangerous, he is averaging 29 yards per return and is ranked 5th in the league.
Like this article?Support Mark and buy him a coffee.
About Mark MorseMerrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.View all posts by Mark Morse
4 hours ago4 hours ago2 days ago2 days ago3 days agoVIEW MORE PATRIOTS HEADLINES