The New England Patriots (8-4, 5-0 away) collide with the Buffalo Bills (7-4, 3-2 home) in a battle of the top two teams in the AFC on Monday Night Football. The winner of Monday’s contest takes over the top spot in the AFC East. Buffalo swept the Patriots in a pair of games last season.
The kickoff for Monday’s conference clash is at 8:15 p.m. EST inside Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. Buffalo is a 2.5-point favorite over New England, and the over-under total is at 41.0 points.
What to Know – New England Patriots
New England wants this win after getting defeated twice by the Bills last season. A win for the Patriots would run their winning streak to seven games and winners of eight of their last nine after beginning the season 1-3.
The Patriots’ offense averages 28.0 points and 372.3 yards of total offense per game. Defensively, New England boast one of the best units in the league, holding teams to 15.8 points and 334.0 yards of offense.
Mac Jones continues to emerge as another draft pick steal of head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots. Jones threw for 310 yards and a pair of touchdowns in last week’s 36-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
Fellow rookie Rhamondre Stevenson carried the ball nine times for 46 yards to lead the Patriots in rushing. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne caught both touchdown passes, ending the game with five receptions for 61 yards.
The Patriots are 8-4 against the spread this season, including 6-0 ATS over their last six. The total has gone over in six of New England’s last eight games.
What to Know – Buffalo Bills
The Bills bounced back after a blowout loss to the Colts to defeat the New Orleans Saints, 31-6, on Thanksgiving night. After beginning the season 4-1, the Bills have traded wins for losses over the last six weeks of play.
Offensively, the Bills score 29.6 points, second in the league, thanks to a lineup that generates 400.0 yards of offense. The defense surrenders 16.5 points and a league-best 285.7 yards of offense to opponents.
Josh Allen threw a pair of picks and tossed four touchdowns against the Saints. Allen completed 23-of-38 passes for 260 yards and added 43 yards on the ground.
Devin Singletary led the backfield with Zack Moss out. Singletary carried the ball 15 times for only 44 yards against a tough Saints’ rush defense.
Stefon Diggs caught seven passes for 74 yards and a score, and tight end Dawson Knox benefitted from a pair of red-zone touchdown grabs.
The Bills are 6-4-1 ATS this season and 4-0-1 in their last five against teams from the AFC East. The total has gone over in four of Buffalo’s last six games against AFC opponents.
The Pick is In
New England isn’t scared to go on the road and play NFL opponents, and the Patriots are the hottest team in the AFC right now. The Bills are still a solid team, and there is a good chance these two teams end up facing each other again in the postseason.
Buffalo isn’t the juggernaut they were last season, and New England will expose that Monday Night.
Betting Pick: New England Patriots +2.5
