The Bills are favorites over the Patriots for 3 reasons

BUFFALO, MA. - SEPTEMBER 29: Jamie Collins #58 and Hjalte Froholdt #55 of the New England Patriots tackle Frank Gore #20 of the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of the NFL game at New Era Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Buffalo, New York. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BUFFALO, MA. - SEPTEMBER 29: Jamie Collins #58 and Hjalte Froholdt #55 of the New England Patriots tackle Frank Gore #20 of the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of the NFL game at New Era Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Buffalo, New York. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) /
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Jarrett Stidham, New England Patriots
Jarrett Stidham, New England Patriots. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

Too many question marks in New England

The Bills have a sense of identity heading into 2020. There is continuity between 2019 and this upcoming season in Buffalo. But can the same be said for the Patriots?

The Patriots began to tail off in 2019. Brady didn’t look the same and the Patriots offense lacked productive weapons. Head coach Bill Belichick transitioned the team to a form of the early Patriots dynasty with the quarterback functioning as a game manager led by its stout defense.

Among many question marks is can Jarrett Stidham be that guy? Can Stidham even be an effective game manager and leader for the Patriots?

At this point, Stidham is an unknown commodity in New England. While the Patriots have picked up the former 2015 MVP Cam Newton, is he the starter by Week 1? This would give cause to pause for New England. This 2020 season is different than years past with preseason games reduced and organized team activities altered in compliance to Coronavirus precautions.

With change in New England, it may be too much for this team to take on in 2020 to remain the top dogs in the AFC East. If Newton is healthy, the question then turns to how fast can he get up to speed in a Belichick system and when would he be inserted as the team’s starter? And as a quarterback, how long will it take for him to build chemistry with the offense?

As uncertainty builds in New England there is a team in Buffalo that has steadily been trending upward, acquired Diggs to take them to the next level and enter the 2020 season with an identity. This is why the Bills are favorites over the Patriots when this upcoming season kicks off.