The race for the top seed in the AFC is coming down to two familiar teams -- the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers. New England has shaken off a slow start and has really excelled of late. The Patriots will aim to stay hot when they go on the road for a matchup against the Buffalo Bills in Week 13.
Buffalo is currently in line to secure a wild card berth and an upset win in this one would be a huge boost. However, it’s not going to be easy, as the Patriots should be solid favorites even on the road.
This game could have huge postseason implications as the regular season nears its end.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 13 game is set for Sunday, December 3, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET at New Era Field.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
New England Patriots -9
Buffalo Bills +9
Over/Under 49
Odds Analysis
The Patriots are better than touchdown favorites, and they are playing so well that more than 73 percent of the early action is on them to cover. The scoring total is pretty high since New England’s offense has really been humming of late.
Both the “under” and the “over” have gotten significant action, with it close to a 50-50 split so far.
Injury Report
Nate Ebner — The Patriots safety suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of New England’s win over Miami on Sunday. He did not return to the game. No update yet on the seriousness of the injury, but the team was quick to rule him out for the rest of the game.
Trey Flowers — The Patriots defensive end and top pass-rusher also left Sunday’s game after an injury to his chest. Early reports indicate Flowers’ ribs are not broken, which was an early fear, but it’s still unknown how much time he will miss. Flowers has four sacks and 42 tackles this season and is an integral part of New England’s front seven.
Martellus Bennett — The Patriots tight end missed Sunday’s game against the Dolphins with injuries to his shoulder and hamstring. New England picked Bennet up off waivers in Week 10 and he has caught six passes for 53 yards in two games for the Patriots.
Kelvin Benjamin — The Bills’ newly-acquired wide receiver missed Sunday’s game against the Chiefs with a knee injury. Benjamin, who was traded to the Bills on October 31st, was carted off the field last week in the team’s game against the Chargers after hurting his knee. The injury does not look to be as serious as previously thought, but it’s unclear if Benjamin will be back against the Patriots.
Player To Watch
Tyrod Taylor — A week after the Bills benched their starting quarterback, he delivered a big win on Sunday, ending the team’s three-game losing streak with a 16-10 over the Chiefs. Taylor finished 19-of-29 for 183 yards with one touchdown in that game.
In light of the Bills recent losing streak, the team elected to start rookie Nathan Peterman over Taylor against the Chargers on November 19th and it ended disastrously. Peterman threw five interceptions in the team’s 54-24 loss and Taylor was given his job back.
The seventh-year quarterback has thrown for 2,025 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions this year. He’ll be eager to come out strong against the Patriots, especially opposite one of the league’s best quarterbacks in Tom Brady.
Free ATS Pick
The Bills have to run the ball well in order to keep the Patriots’ lethal offense off the field. Tom Brady is having another fantastic season at the age of 40 as he continues to dice up defenses.
Taylor never should have been benched in the first place but he is back as the starter and looking to help pull a huge upset. That’s a bit too much to ask but Buffalo is the choice to cover this spread as the Bills are a solid team playing at home.
NFL Odds: Patriots 27, Bills 20
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