Patriots hunt for playoff position, host Bills

The second meeting this season between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots looks awfully different from the first.

That's clear simply from the point spread, where the Patriots (9-5) are huge-but-not-mammoth 12.5-point favourites at home. That's a far cry from Week 8 in Buffalo when the Bills were the second-largest home underdogs (13.5 points) in franchise history. That Monday night battle was just the second start for veteran quarterback Derek Anderson -- signed off the street 20 days earlier -- since 2016, as rookie Josh Allen was still sidelined by an elbow injury. New England coasted through a defensive slog, ultimately winning 25-6 to drop Buffalo to 2-7.

But since Allen returned in Week 12, the Bills have gone 2-2 to get to 5-9, with narrow losses to the division-rival Miami Dolphins and New York Jets. While Allen's passing numbers have been inconsistent, he's created with his legs (351 rushing yards, three TDs since in that span) and found receivers like undrafted rookie Robert Foster (19 catches, 468 yards, two touchdowns this year) for huge gains.

"Offensively, they've got a lot of explosive weapons," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said. "We didn't see Allen. He's been impressive. Foster -- they have a lot of big plays. "...The quarterback is a big difference. That's a big difference right there. But the receivers -- no Benjamin, Foster has emerged -- they're much different."

Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott has seen significant changes in his team too, particularly in Allen's development since returning from injury.

"I went back and watched the Miami game a few days ago and he looks like a different player than he did from two or three games ago, which is important and good for him," McDermott said of Allen. "The way the game is slowing down for him is encouraging."

The Patriots, meanwhile, are just 3-3 since beating the Bills, and they're riding their first losing streak in December since 2002. New England remains undefeated (6-0) at home this season, with four of the six victories coming by at least 14 points, but there have been chinks in the armour. Tom Brady's touchdown (4.7) and interception rates (1.8) is on pace for his worst marks since the 2013 season. After finishing in the top five in passing yards, yards per attempt, touchdowns, completion percentage and passer rating last year, Brady ranks fifth, 10th, T-10th, 17th and 12th, respectively, in those categories this year, meaning he could miss out on $4-5 million in incentives on his contract.

But McDermott doesn't see any decline in the 41-year-old QB, who is 29-3 against the Bills in his career and was just named to his record-tying 14th Pro Bowl.

"To me, he looks even better than he has in years past, believes it or not," McDermott said. "I know that the numbers may not support that, but I think his game is strong, he doesn't turn the ball over. I think he's as good as ever."

Last week's loss to Pittsburgh leaves New England two games back of Kansas City and the Los Angeles Chargers in the race for a first-round bye in the AFC. The Patriots are also a game back of the Texans (10-4), though they hold the tiebreaker after beating Houston in Week 1.he New England offence will take a different shape this week with wide receiver Josh Gordon announcing Thursday he would be stepping away to address his mental health.

New England enters Sunday in great health, with only linebacker Brandon King (knee, limited) on Wednesday's injury report. Tight end Rob Gronkowski (ankle/back) was added as a limited participant Thursday, while wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson did not participate due to illness. McDermott sounded optimistic about the availability of running back LeSean McCoy (hamstring), who was a full participant Thursday. Defensive tackle Kyle Williams (back) returned on a limited basis after sitting out Wednesday.