The Patriots wish to play spoiler as soon as once more this weekend towards the Bills.
At 9-6, the Bills are at the moment the No. 6 seed within the AFC. They at the moment have a 90% probability of constructing the playoffs, per The New York Times’ simulator. If the Patriots win Sunday, the Bills’ possibilities drop to 47%. If the Bills win, they rise to 98%.
After the Broncos’ Week 16 loss to the Patriots, their playoff possibilities fell to only 4%.
Here are 4 Patriots gamers hoping to construct off their momentum from that sport.
QB Bailey Zappe
Starting his fourth sport of the season, Zappe had among the finest performances from a Patriots quarterback in two seasons Sunday within the 26-23 win over the Broncos. Zappe had beforehand put collectively two strong first halves towards the Steelers in Week 14 and the Chiefs in Week 15 however couldn’t end both sport robust.
That was not a difficulty in Week 16, when he put collectively the primary game-winning drive of his profession.
Now, Zappe will look to construct on that efficiency Sunday afternoon towards the Bills. There is a blueprint for it.
Mac Jones’ signature win in a Patriots uniform got here earlier this season in a 29-25 victory over the Bills. Jones was 25-of-30 for 272 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He did have operating again Rhamondre Stevenson and broad receiver Kendrick Bourne, each of whom have since been positioned on injured reserve, obtainable in that sport. Tight finish Hunter Henry, who’s missed Week 16 and has been restricted in apply this week, additionally performed.
But the extent of problem has not been an issue for Zappe. He’s received video games with out Stevenson, Bourne, Henry and broad receivers DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Demario Douglas this season.
Let’s see if he can proceed to seek out success throwing downfield.
WR DeMario Douglas
The sixth-round select of Liberty wants 46 receiving yards for essentially the most by a rookie pass-catcher within the Bill Belichick period. He wants simply 2 extra yards for essentially the most by a rookie broad receiver since 2000. Douglas wants only one catch for essentially the most by a rookie pass-catcher since Belichick took over.
Not dangerous for the standout, who has missed three video games with concussions.
Both Zappe and Jones have proven a pleasant rapport with Douglas. He caught 5 passes on eight targets for 74 yards final week.
DT Christian Barmore
The Patriots obtained a steal after they traded as much as take Barmore within the second spherical of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He ranks among the many NFL’s finest inside defensive linemen in sacks, pressures and PFF pass-rush grade.
Barmore was dominant final Sunday evening towards the Broncos, sacking Russell Wilson thrice. Linebacker Jahlani Tavai mentioned this week that Barmore was hyped all through the group’s flight again from Denver on Christmas morning.
Some key pressures, sacks and stops on third down towards the Bills would go a good distance towards securing a Week 17 upset. Barmore additionally pressured a fumble and had two tackles for loss towards the Broncos.
Good defensive tackles receives a commission properly on the open market. The Patriots have loads of cap area heading into subsequent offseason and need to throw round money to fulfill the NFL’s spending ground. Locking up Barmore to a long-term contract could be a wise transfer irrespective of who’s serving as head coach in 2024 and past.
LB Mack Wilson
One of essentially the most surprising elements of the 2023 season has been Wilson’s sudden breakout over the second half of the season. He’s discovered a hybrid function as an edge/off-ball linebacker within the Patriots’ protection and now has sacks in three straight video games.
The 25-year-old is constructing a case to be re-signed for the second straight offseason. Both linebackers coach Jerod Mayo and Tavai raved about Wilson’s pace this week.
Wilson primarily performed as an off-ball linebacker in school and thru the primary 4 seasons of his NFL profession with the Browns and Patriots. But accidents to Daniel Ekuale and Matthew Judon have shaken up the Patriots’ pass-rush packages. It’s pressured gamers like Deatrich Wise and Keion White to play extra inside and triggered the group to want extra gamers on the sting.
“In the past when we had [Matthew] Judon, Uche, Wise and those guys, there was less of a … we played him more off the ball. So now, in passing situations, he’s played more on the ball and he’s done a good job with it,” Belichick mentioned.
Wilson has additionally performed properly in protection when requested to drop again.
Source: www.bostonherald.com