New England Patriots

Patriots-Bills Preview Capsule

Published Oct. 28, 2018 4:41 p.m. ET

NEW ENGLAND (5-2) at BUFFALO (2-5)

Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN

OPENING LINE — Patriots by 11

RECORD VS. SPREAD — New England 4-3, Buffalo 3-4

SERIES RECORD — Patriots lead 72-43-1

LAST MEETING — Patriots beat Bills 37-16, Dec. 24, 2017

LAST WEEK — Patriots beat Bears 38-31; Bills lost to Colts 37-5

AP PRO32 RANKING — Patriots No. 2, Bills No. 28.

PATRIOTS OFFENSE — OVERALL (10), RUSH (13), PASS (14).

PATRIOTS DEFENSE — OVERALL (25), RUSH (21), PASS (25).

BILLS OFFENSE — OVERALL (31), RUSH (19), PASS (32).

BILLS DEFENSE — OVERALL (4), RUSH (16), PASS (4).

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Patriots 31-4 in past 35 against AFC East-rival Bills, and Tom Brady holds NFL career-wins record by quarterback against one opponent with 28-3 record. ... Patriots are 7-0 in night games against Bills, including 56-10 win at Buffalo on Nov. 18, 2007. ... Patriots have scored 21 or more points in first half in each of past four games this season to match franchise-best streak, and facing Bills, who have allowed 24 or more points in first half three times. ... Brady's 15 wins at what's now New Era Field are tied for third with Tyrod Taylor and Drew Bledsoe since stadium opened in 1973. Only Jim Kelly (59) and Joe Ferguson (46) have won more at Orchard Park, New York. ... Brady's 575 career TDs passing (including playoffs) are four short of matching NFL record held by Peyton Manning. Brady's also four short of matching Brett Favre's 508 for second-most regular-season TDs passing. Manning stands first with 539. ... With six TDs receiving, James White is one short of becoming 10th RB to score seven in one season since 1970. ... Special teams matched team record by scoring two TDs against Chicago on WR Cordarrelle Patterson kickoff return and LB Kyle Van Noy returning blocked punt. ... Bills retiring Hall of Fame RB Thurman Thomas' No. 34 at halftime. ... Bills' 81 points through seven games are fewest since 1977 (75 points) and third fewest in team history. ... QB Derek Anderson to make second consecutive start in place of rookie Josh Allen (sprained right elbow). Anderson's 175 yards passing against Colts most by Bills in four games, but he also threw three interceptions and lost fumble. ... Bills RB LeSean McCoy cleared concussion protocol and is expected to play. ... WR Zay Jones has Bills-leading 226 yards receiving through seven games, 2 yards more than Josh Gordon has in only four games with Patriots. ... Buffalo hasn't topped 20 first downs in seven straight games, matching worst streak since first seven games of 2007. ... Bills allowed season-most four TDs passing against Colts, and have surrendered 13 overall — one short of last year's total. ... Buffalo failed to generate turnover against Colts after combining for 11 (six fumbles, five interceptions) in previous four outings. ... Fantasy tip: White's dual threat will test young LBs, after Colts RB Marlon Mack had 126 yards rushing and TD and 33 yards receiving and TD. Patriots' defense are must start against anemic offense that has scored just seven touchdowns, two in past four games.