The AFC East rivals New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills face off in the NFL Wild Card round, with Buffalo favored by 4.5 points. After splitting their regular season matchups (each winning on the road), this rubber match promises high stakes playoff action.

The Patriots missed their chance at the AFC East title in Week 18, falling to Miami while Buffalo clinched by beating the Jets. New England's previous win in Buffalo came in extreme weather conditions, where Mac Jones threw just three passes. Normal weather this time means the Patriots need more from their rookie QB.

Buffalo secured the division with a strong fourth quarter against the Jets last week. The Bills' passing attack, led by Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs, will be crucial - though they'll face Bill Belichick's renowned ability to neutralize top receivers.

Key Factors:

For New England:

• Mac Jones must show poise in his first playoff start
• Need to avoid early deficits
• Running game remains their consistent strength

For Buffalo:

• Must establish some running game presence
• Josh Allen needs to maintain elite play
• Protecting Stefon Diggs from Belichick's defensive schemes

The ground game could prove decisive - while New England's run attack has been reliable all season, Buffalo's rushing weakness could impact their offensive balance. This Wild Card matchup may come down to whether the Bills can get enough from their running backs to keep the Patriots' defense honest.

Related Articles

Previous Articles