With the Raiders' 35-32 victory over the Chargers, the Patriots finished as the sixth seed in the AFC and will travel to Buffalo to face the Bills on Saturday night at 8:15 p.m. (CBS).
Final seedings:
SCHEDULE
THE MATCHUP
There's much more to come this week, but we already wrote ahead on the prospect on a possible third meeting of the two teams.
The synopsis: The Patriots' defense played just a terrible game in their 33-21 home loss to the Bills — it was not just Josh Allen playing great; the Patriots allowed him to have a career game because of their totally undisciplined play in the rush and coverage — and they have to be better in another game.
Pertinent coverage:
Bedard's Breakdown 2: What the Patriots' defense almost got right vs. Bills, and why they'll be better in rematch
Bedard's Breakdown: Defensive performance vs. Bills so poor all around, buy-in has to be in question
Bedard: 3 Sequences to an L - Among many misdeeds, Patriots rush and coverage made it too easy for Allen, Bills
Bedard: Patriots' deepest vulnerabilities exposed by Bills on way to AFC East title
BSJ Game Report: Bills 33, Patriots 21 - New England outplayed again in dropping division lead
Embarrassing loss in Buffalo still fresh in their minds, an aggressive Bills team returned favor to Patriots in AFC East showdown
Patriots' defense undressed for second straight week
EARLY LINE
BetOnline.ag has the Bills as a 4.5-point favorite.
WEATHER
It's going to be cold, but not terrible.
PATRIOTS 2022 OPPONENTS
