Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots (-13)
This is a ton of points from a New England Patriots team that has looked lost for parts of this season. I get that the Bills are not a good team, but they have some of the things that really give the Patriots fits. The Pats cannot stop a running QB, and the Bills have the best running QB in the league besides Lamar Jackson. Josh Allen broke 500 yards rushing last week, to go along with 1,600 passing yards. Remember, Allen missed a few games with different injuries.
The Patriots were bad last week. The Pittsburgh Steelers begged them to take that game from them, and a Bill Belichick team just couldn’t do it. Tom Brady scored 10 points against a rival. A lot of it falls on him, too. Yes, his receivers had the worst performance in recent memory. Julian Edelman had multiple drops. Josh Gordon had a drop in a big spot, and Rob Gronkowski just couldn’t get open. Don’t even get started on the non-existent running game. Things are bleak in New England.
In the past, the Patriots would take this team to the woodshed and make everyone forget about past transgressions. This isn’t previous Patriots teams. This year’s team has the ability to blow teams out, but it isn’t a weekly thing. That’s the big difference. Speaking of difference, Allen’s dual threat will be that in this game. The Bills won’t win, but they’ll be in the game.
New England 31, Buffalo 21
Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers (-2)
Where was last week’s Atlanta Falcons team all season? The offense hadn’t scored more than 20 points during a five-game losing streak. Yet, last Sunday they scored 40. This all came out of nowhere, and yes it did come against the Cardinals, but this team struggled against everyone lately.
Meanwhile, you have the Carolina Panthers. The big storyline here is it looks like Cam Newton’s season is done after dealing with a shoulder injury. That completely changes the dynamic of this game. While this could be seen as a game for both teams to prove to their ownership they deserve another chance, now the Panthers will go with Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke is a former Old Dominion product who has 56 career yards. It’s an interesting decision, especially when Ron Rivera says it’s a decision he believes gives them the best chance to win.
There are too many questions on offense for the Panthers for you to make a bet on them. Their defense has played better, but the last game they won Ryan Fitzpatrick was the opposing QB. The Panthers need to win the game to win the bet, and after six-straight losses that’s not the best bet to make.
Atlanta 21, Carolina 17