Seven Storylines To Follow In Primetime Patriots-Bills Matchup

The New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills will participate in perhaps the most telling matchup of their individual seasons on Sunday Night Football.

New England has ridden something of a rollercoaster throughout the first month of the season, but seemingly put everything together in an absolute drubbing of the Carolina Panthers in Week 4. Buffalo is one of just two undefeated teams in football, though some of those wins haven’t come without the club’s obvious holes being targeted successfully by its opponents.

It’ll be quite obvious which side garners more attention going into the matchup, but despite the ultimate result, there are a few storylines worth watching with regard to the game itself and how it impacts each organization moving forward:

1. DIGGS’ RETURN

Stefon Diggs is starting to come into his own…

Diggs, in his first four games of the season, recorded six, four, three and six receptions for a grand total of 213 yards on 22 total targets — quickly turning himself into the go-to guy for Drake Maye.

The Patriots have all but established him as their primary slot receiver, where his fit within the system seemingly opens things up for other weapons and provides the offense with a legitimate difference-maker in third- and fourth-down situations. New England hasn’t dealt with any of the sideline outbursts or mid-week tantrums that became so common during his stints with the Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans, either — though that could soon change.

Diggs will return to Highmark Stadium for the first time since being traded away on April 3, 2024 — and the bright lights will certainly be upon him as the stage, location and meaning of the game could start to bring out some more of that competitive nature that has been handled so poorly in the past.

NBC’s Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth bring a bit more juice than some of the other guys who have been calling this team’s games this season…

I don’t think there’s anything more valuable to learn coming out of this game than the attitude, leadership and overall temperament of Diggs.

2. MAJOR MISMATCH

The Patriots have had an atrocious time trying to cover tight ends and running backs this season, which is a bit of an issue considering their upcoming opponent.

New England has allowed 426 yards on 45 catches to those position groups this season, with the club’s whole “rally and tackle” mantra serving almost zero purpose as they continue to sit near the top of the league in missed tackles.

Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox and James Cook are more than good enough to continue adding to that total this week, with the former and latter on pace to set new career highs in receiving yards and touchdowns.

Christian Elliss has been particularly noticeable in coverage, which isn’t a good thing. Marte Mapu helped settle things down last week, so perhaps his support untied increase with a spotlight on that position group.

3. HISTORY AT HIGHMARK?

Josh Allen can surpass Cam Newton for most career games with both a rushing and passing touchdown (45) on Sunday.

Newton’s last such game came in Dec. of 2021… against Allen.

I’d be surprised if he didn’t grab it, to be honest.

4. MISSING MILTON?

Milton Williams’ sudden emergence on the injury report is worrisome.

Williams popped up with an ankle injury that left him limited on Wednesday and kept him out of practice altogether on Thursday, which is an indication that the veteran suffered the injury during the week.

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport helped ease some of the tension at One Patriot Place, but even if he is available you’d have to imagine it’ll hinder his ability to wreak havoc in the middle of the defensive interior — which is pretty much the only way they can even hope to stop Allen.

Christian Barmore better have his game-wrecking shoes on.

5. RUNNIN’ RUNNIN’

The Bills have been tremendously effective running the football, leading the league in rushing offense at more than 163 yards per game — with Cook having topped 100 yards in each of the last three weeks against the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints.

The Patriots are just slightly more competent than those squads, entering this contest with the second best run defense in the NFL — allowing 78 yards per game on the ground, just 3.3 per rush and the third fewest yards after contact per carry at 2.46.

It’s a battle between two tremendous units, and the winner will undoubtedly put their squad in a position to win the game.

6. UNI WATCH

The Bills will debut their “cold front” uniforms this week — which are being presented as some cool innovation but were made in order to fatten the pockets of the folks at Nike.

I typically don’t think these things matter, but they’re going all out at Highmark Stadium.

Buffalo is asking fans to wear white from head to toe, and will hand out white rally towels for the contest. Orchard Park, N.Y. Is already full of lunatics, so giving them something to increase the energy probably isn’t a good thing for the road squad.

7. KEAGAN’S BETTING CORNER

Kayshon Boutte was literally two yards away from pushing us to 3-0…

I’ll hold that against him for the rest of the season, but it’s time to move on and get back on track — which means shooting high-percentage shots that you’re confident will hit the bottom of the net.

The Patriots and Bills are both going to want to run the ball, so bleed that clock baybee.

The Pick: Under 49.5 (-108 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

What will you be watching for? Let us know in the comments, or send a note @KeaganStiefel on X!