What to Watch For: Patriots vs Bills

Pats Running Attack

The running game - what was thought to be a strength of the Patriots offense at the start of the season has turned into a weakness through the first three weeks.

So far this year, the Patriots are averaging just 3.2 yards per rush, ranking them among the worst in the NFL.

Second-year running back Sony Michel is averaging just 2.4 yards per attempt and 36 yards per game while averaging 15 carries per game.

“There's been times where he hasn't been able to get started and that's always a problem with the running game. If you can't get them through the line of scrimmage, you can gain some yards, but it's hard. There are things he can do better. Certainly, we can block better and coach better so we'll try to do those and improve in every part of our offense, not just the running game but play-action and passing game and everything else,” said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick during his press conference on Wednesday.

Rex Burkhead is averaging 4.7 yards per attempt, but just 37 yards per game.

James White is set to return this week after sitting out against the Jets due to the birth of his son, however, he is used more as a receiver than as a running back.

He only has seven rushing attempts on the year.

Things don’t get easier for the Patriots running attack as now they will be without fullback James Develin, who was placed on injured reserve earlier this week.

“There's nobody to replace James Develin so we have to do it with a combination of other people or schemes because he has a role on offense and in the kicking game as well," said Belichick.

Last week against the Jets, the Patriots did not run a single play with a fullback, after Develin took 41 percent of the offensive snaps in weeks one and two.

Now an already struggling running game will need to make a major adjustment.

Belichick added, “We're really a game plan type of offense so it'll just be a week-to-week situation like it always is with this offense at least. We'll see how it goes. It depends on how we match up with our team, who's available, what their schemes are, what we think we can do and so forth. We'll do what we always do – try to move the ball and score points, however that happens. That's always the goal.”

If there are any positives, it's that Buffalo has not done a great job of stopping the run.

So far this season, the Bills rank 18th in the NFL in yards per rush allowed and 21st in rushing defense.

PHOTO: Patriots media website 

Containing Allen

The Patriots defense has given up just three points so far this season, but on Sunday they will face a new challenge -  a mobile quarterback.

Listed at 6’5”, 245 pounds, Bills quarterback Josh Allen has the ability to take off if the pocket collapses and pick up yards with his legs.

“He's like a running back. He breaks tackles, he's got good speed, good power and he's shifty and he avoids and breaks a lot of tackles. A sixth receiver in the passing game, if you will, and gives you another blocker in the running game when they have designed run plays for him,” said Bill Belichick on Wednesday.

According to Pro Football Focus, Allen has scrambled 13 times so far this season, the most of any quarterback in the league.

Allen has been pressured 48 times this season (40% of dropbacks), but has only been sacked five times.

He averages 6.8 yards per attempt when under pressure with two touchdowns and one interception.

“When he decides to run he has good size and he can really run with the ball – stiff arm, he’s like a running back – but at any moment he can pull up. And I don’t care if he’s running full speed, with his arm strength, he can throw the ball 60, 70 yards in the air. So, it puts a lot of pressure on the defense,” said Patriots safety Deven McCourty during his press conference on Thursday.

New England will have to balance pressuring Allen, but also keeping him from breaking the game open with his legs.

In week 16 last year, the Patriots held Allen to 30 yards rushing on five carries.

PHOTO: Erik Drost/Wikipedia

Jakobi Meyers

Wide receiver Julian Edelman is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game after suffering a chest injury last week against the Jets.

Edelman has practiced with the team all week and received extra treatment causing him to skip his Friday media session.

If Edelman can’t go or is limited in the game on Sunday, undrafted rookie Jakobi Meyers could see an increased role on the Patriots offense.

So far this season, Meyers has played in two fo the three games and has hauled in three catches for 60 yards on the year primarily out of the slot receiver position.

“Jakobi works hard, and he's another guy that's done everything we've asked him to do. He's taken a lot of snaps, he's out there every day. He's a tough kid and he just keeps working hard, and you know, he gets better. He's improved quite a bit. Still got a long way to go and a lot of football in front of him, but he's made good, steady progress,” said Belichick during his conference call on Monday.

Through three weeks, Meyers is second among Patriots rookies with 56 snaps, behind Chase Winovich, who leads the way with 126.

Meyers is on pace for 23 catches for 450 yards, which would be the fourth most yards for a rookie wide receiver in the Brady/Belichick era.

PHOTO: Patriots media website

Stephen Gostkowski

Last week, kicker Stephen Gostkowski missed an extra point after the Patriots first touchdown against the Jets. 

It was his third era post miss in two games. 

During his Friday press conference, Belichick was asked about going for two points instead of kicking. 

“I think each situation's different on that. I think there's a place for that, and sometimes there's not a place for it. It would just depend on the circumstances that came into play,” Belichick said. 

So far this season, Gostkowski has made six of seven field goals and 10 of 13 extra points. 

He signed a two-year extension this past offseason to stay in New England. 

PHOTO: National Guard/Wikipedia

Brady vs Buffalo

Throughout his career, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has dominated the Buffalo Bills, both in Buffalo and at home.

In fact, Brady has more wins in Buffalo (15) than any Buffalo Bills quarterback since 2001.

Brady has just three career losses against the Bills and is 15-2 all-time in Buffalo.

“To go on the road in the NFL is tough, and certainly early in the game, after their pregame tailgate when they’re a little fired up. So, they’re pretty into it, they’re pretty loud and we’ve got to go out and we’ve got to execute early. I think starting fast, which we’ve actually done a good job with this year, that’s really important this week,” said Brady during his press conference on Wednesday.

Despite Brady’s record in Buffalo, the last four meetings with the Bills have been a struggle.

The Patriots have won all four games, however, Brady has only averaged 233 yards passing with three touchdowns and four interceptions.

Brady added, “I think, when you look at this defense, I don’t think we played that well last year when we went up there. We didn’t play that well at home when we beat them here. I mean, I think they’re good. They challenge you. They force you to make good plays, good decisions, good reads on a consistent basis, which we’re going to need to be able to do and we’ve got to prove to ourselves that we’re capable of doing that in order to gain the confidence to actually do it when the pressure’s on.”

Prior to 2017, Brady had four interceptions in his previous ten games against the Bills.

PHOTO: Joe Calabro/ GoLocalProv