The NFL isn’t getting the key AFC East-deciding matchup bargained for this past spring
It was just two weekends ago that the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots faced off for the first time during the 2024 NFL regular season. Now, to close out their schedules, the two teams will reconvene a mere 15 calendar days since rekindling their storied rivalry.
With the AFC’s two seed locked up, the Bills have little to play for apart from individual accolades. Meanwhile, the Patriots have only pride and building blocks to target as they turn to thoughts about the 2025 season.
Keeping that in mind helps to explain the opening odds over at FanDuel Sportsbook, which casts the Bills as 1.5-point road favorites (-1.5) — with an O/U of 40.5 — at Gillette Stadium next Sunday.
It’s anyone’s guess at this point who among Buffalo’s typical starters will play, and for how long. Quarterback Josh Allen places a lot of importance on consecutive games started, so expect him to hit the field first. Running back James Cook is still looking to hit 1,000 yards on the ground this season, and his odds are favorable if he plays. With one more rushing touchdown, Cook can tie Hall of Fame running back OJ Simpson for the most rushing scores in a season. The Bills tied the NFL regular-season record for unique receivers to catch a touchdown (13), and Allen has intimated the desire to set a new high-water mark of 14 before the regular season ends.
So, while the odds seem to suggest that backup players will be featured early and often, those individual and team accolades could prove otherwise — and may serve as interesting options for fans to dive into for Bills-Patriots with FanDuel Sportsbook.