The New England Patriots generally have the Buffalo Bills’ number when the teams meet in Buffalo. Headed into today’s Patriots / Bills game, the oddsmakers are ignoring history and giving the teams essentially equal odds of winning. The 3-2 Patriots are just a one-point favorite against the 3-2 Bills.
New England faced the Bills twice last season, winning both games by more than a touchdown. Their most recent game was a 34-20 win in which Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount ran for a career-high 189 yards and two touchdowns. Blount’s now with the Steelers, but today’s Patriots Bills game was going to be all about the quarterbacks anyway.
After being benched late in Week 4, New England Patriots QB Tom Brady got his team back on track last week. In the Pats’ 43-17 win over the Bengals, Brady threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns while Patriots running back Stevan Ridley rattled off 117 yards rushing. Brady is officially listed as “questionable” today with an ankle injury, but he hasn’t missed a game since 2008, so I’d be surprised to see him miss today’s Patriots Bills game.
The Patriots’ margin of victory against Cincinnati wasn’t the only impressive factor against the undefeated Bengals. The 43 points Brady orchestrated came against a defense that had been allowing 11 points per game. The Bills defense, ranked fourth in points allowed and second in rushing yards allowed, will be another big test to see if Brady’s truly back on track with the Patriots.
Today’s Patriots Bills game marks the second game Kyle Orton starts at quarterback for Buffalo. Last week against the Lions, Orton started over EJ Manuel, who in four games had completed 58 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and three INTs. Though Orton struggled early against Detroit, he finished the game 30-of-43 for 308 yards and a touchdown.
If the Bills win at home in today’s Patriots game, they’ll move into sole possession of first place in the AFC East. Here’s what should know before you watch Patriots vs Bills online free live stream today:
- Kickoff for Today’s Patriots vs Bills game: 1:00pm EST / 10:00 am PST
- Venue: Ralph Wilson Stadium (Buffalo Bills are the home team)
- Who’s favored / point spread before you watch the Patriots vs Bills game: New England Patriots are a 1-point favorite
- Live stream the Patriots / Bills game on FOX Sports here
- Watch live free online on the DirecTV website here (requires an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription with MAX package)