Fansided

NFL Week 16: Trends which will decide each game

By Russell S. Baxter

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 20: Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans caries the football against the defense of the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of the game at Nissan Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 20: Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans caries the football against the defense of the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of the game at Nissan Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 19: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills looks for an open teammate during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on December 19, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 19: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills looks for an open teammate during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on December 19, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Monday, Dec. 28

Buffalo Bills (11-3) at New England Patriots (6-8), 8:15 pm

Bills: The team has won its first division title since 1995 and the 11 wins are the most since 1999. The franchise record for victories in a season is 13, set in 1990 and ’91, and the Bills can tie that mark if they win out. Third-year quarterback Josh Allen continues to have an MVP-like year, connecting on 68.7 percent of his throws exactly 4,000 yards and 30 scores. He’s also run for 383 yards and eight touchdowns. Of course, 15 turnovers – 9 interceptions and 6 lost fumbles – in 14 outings is certainly concerning. As is Buffalo’s erratic defense, which has already given up 40 offensive touchdowns this season. But Sean McDermott’s squad is playing with an awful lot of confidence.

More fansided.com: 2020 NFL power rankings, Week 16: Jets win, Patriots out

Patriots: When it all goes bad in the same year! The Patriots entered 2020 having won 11 straight AFC East titles as well as finishing with 10 or more victories in 17 consecutive seasons dating back to 2003. Bill Belichick’s club also managed to post 19 straight winning campaigns – the second-longest such streak in league annals. But none of that will happen this year as the team will have to win out just to get to .500. And thanks to a 24-21 loss at Orchard Park in Week 8, New England is in danger of being swept by a divisional opponent for the first time since 2000 – when both the Dolphins and Jets turned the trick. Meanwhile, the Pats’ last losing season came that same year.

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