Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots: five players to watch

Three weeks after going toe to toe in an atypical duel at Orchard Park, the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills meet again at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

It’s a match that has serious implications for the playoffs: if the Patriots come away with the win, they’ll be crowned AFC East champions should the Miami Dolphins lose to the New Orleans Saints on Monday. On the other hand, a victory for the Bills would leave the destination of the division title up in the air and could move the Patriots down the list of the AFC playoff seeds.

These are the players who could have the greatest say on the outcome of the Week 16 game in Foxborough:

Mac Jones, QB, Patriots

Due to the adverse weather in Buffalo, the Patriots limited themselves to carrying the ball and the rookie from the University of Alabama only registered two passes for 19 yards. Better conditions are expected in Massachusetts, so Jones will have many more opportunities to do damage with his throwing.

Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Bills

Although Stefon Diggs is Josh Allen’s chief target and is a sure-fire pick in the position, Cole Beasley’s unavailability due to covid-19 could leave the way clear for Emmanuel Sanders to do the business in the Bills’ aerial offence. The duel expected between Diggs and J.C. Jackson could open up other options in the air.

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J.C. Jackson, CB, Patriots

Jackson has the second-most interceptions among cornerbacks in the NFL this season, behind only Trevon Diggs. However, in Week 16, his chief objective will be to limit the damage done by Stefon Diggs, who is 12th in the league in yards per reception (1,007).

Devin Singletary, RB, Bills

In the teams' first meeting this season, Singletary managed only 36 yards in 10 attempts, fewer than Josh Allen (39 rushing yards). Nevertheless, the Indianapolis Colts' Jonathan Taylor showed in Week 15 that the Patriots’ defensive weakness is dealing with ground offences, and Singletary will be tasked with hurting the hosts that way.

Damien Harris, RB, Patriots

The Patriots registered 222 rushing yards in Buffalo, and Damien Harris was responsible for half of that production. With 754 yards this season, Harris needs 82 yards per game to become the first New England running back to amass more than 1,000 yards since Legarrette Blount managed it in 2016 (1,161).