Recreation Predictions | Buffalo Payments at New England Patriots | Week 18 – BuffaloBills.com

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The Buffalo Payments (13-3) are 3.0-point favorites in opposition to the New England Patriots this week within the common season finale. The sport will air at 1 pm on CBS and might be performed at Gillette Stadium. The Payments have an opportunity to win their 14th recreation of the season and have already introduced Josh Allen will see minimal enjoying time.
Listed below are some extra notes for this week’s recreation:
ESPN
Payments storyline to look at: The Payments are locked in to the No. 2 seed within the AFC, so the sport will characteristic a mixture of the group’s typical starters and gamers whom the group desires “to check out as effectively,” per coach Sean McDermott. Quarterback Josh Allen will begin the sport to take care of his consecutive begins streak (at the moment 104 video games), however then Mitchell Trubisky will take over. The aim for the Payments, in line with McDermott, is to win the sport and are available out of the week as contemporary and wholesome as doable for the postseason. — Alaina Getzenberg
Patriots storyline to look at: Patriots coach Jerod Mayo says rookie quarterback Drake Maye is predicted to begin and that the group is enjoying to win regardless of having pole place for the No. 1 decide within the draft. A win would open the chance that the Titans, Browns or Giants might wind up with the highest decide relying on what occurs of their video games in Week 18. — Mike Reiss
Stat to know: The Payments have had 12 video games this season with 30-plus factors, tied for the second most in a season in NFL historical past behind the 2013 Broncos (13). — ESPN Analysis
Daring prediction: Payments operating again Ty Johnson will file at the least 4 receptions. With Buffalo capable of relaxation starters in Week 18, that ought to clear the best way for extra enjoying time for Johnson, the group’s third-string again. And he has proven he is able to making an affect within the passing recreation, most notably in Week 15 when he caught 5 passes for 114 yards in opposition to the Lions. — Walder
What’s at stake: The Patriots have a 78% probability to earn the No. 1 decide within the 2025 draft, per ESPN’s FPI. They’ll safe the highest decide with a loss.
Fantasy X issue: Payments operating again Ray Davis. He may lead the Payments’ backfield with Buffalo already locked into the No. 2 seed. Bear in mind Week 6 when Davis had 23 touches and 18.2 fantasy factors when James Cook was out? This week, he has an incredible matchup in opposition to a Patriots protection that has given up the third-most RB speeding yards. See Week 18 rankings. — Moody
Betting nugget: Overs are 6-1 in Patriots house video games this season, and 7-1 within the Payments’ previous eight video games total.
Kahler’s decide: Payments 21, Patriots 17
Moody’s decide: Payments 20, Patriots 19
Walder’s decide: Payments 19, Patriots 16
FPI prediction: BUF, 78% (by a median of 11.5 factors)
Vinnie Iyer | Sporting News
The Payments plan to present Josh Allen and the starters a quick cameo within the recreation, as they’re locked into the No. 2 seed for the AFC playoffs. Buffalo can nonetheless dominate with Mitchell Trubisky, its deep operating recreation, and infinite go rush whereas New England limps to the end line with a seventh consecutive loss.
Choose: Payments win 23-13 and canopy the unfold.
Around the NFL | NFL.com
Why Brooke picked the Patriots: Having already locked up the No. 2 seed in the AFC, the Payments will play a blend of starters and backups in opposition to the Patriots, head coach Sean McDermott stated earlier within the week. Josh Allen will lengthen his streak of consecutive starts to 115, most in franchise historical past, however the MVP candidate is not anticipated to play a lot, so we should always see a wholesome dose of Mitchell Trubisky. Maybe the most important storyline driving this contest is the truth that New England can clinch the No. 1 overall pick within the 2025 NFL Draft with a loss. That stated, I do not anticipate the Pats to roll over, as they almost knocked off the Payments two weeks ago. QB Drake Maye, who will start on Sunday, has thrown at the least one TD go in eight consecutive video games and is constructing a pleasant rapport together with his supporting solid regardless of the Pats dropping six straight. May fellow rookie Joe Milton III make his NFL debut? It is robust to select a recreation with so many transferring elements. That stated, I will go along with the Pats ending the season on a excessive notice, even when it means dropping draft positioning in consequence.
Bill Bender | Sporting News
The Payments are slight favorites on the street although they need to relaxation quarterback Josh Allen with nothing to realize because the No. 2 seed. The Patriots would get the No. 1 decide within the 2025 NFL Draft with a loss. It is a robust name realizing New England is on a six-game dropping streak and has allowed 31.3 factors per recreation the previous three weeks.
Choose: Payments 24, Patriots 20
Mike Florio & Chris Simms | Pro Football Talk
The Payments probably will pull starters. The Pats have an opportunity to finish the season on a not-so-low notice.
Florio: Patriots, 20-13.
Simms: Patriots, 20-17.
Scroll to see the most effective pictures from Friday’s follow because the Buffalo Payments put together to face the New England Patriots.
Ryan Van Demark (74), Mitchell Trubisky (11), Will Clapp (77), Reggie Gilliam (41),Tylan Grable (68). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Quintin Morris (85). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Mike Edwards (65). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Amari Cooper (18), Jalen Virgil (89), Tyrell Shavers (80), Khalil Shakir (10),Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Casey Toohill (99). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Zach Davidson (84). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Rob Boras. Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Tyrell Shavers (80). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Zach Davidson (84). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Mitchell Trubisky (11),Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Bobby Babich. Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Bobby Babich. Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Lewis Cine (36). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Ryan Van Demark (74). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Edefuan Ulofoshio (48). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Connor McGovern (66). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Matt Edwards. Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Marc Lubick. Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Zion Logue (93). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Cam Lewis (39). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Brandon Codrington (29). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Ja’Marcus Ingram (46). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Casey Toohill (99). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Brandon Codrington (29),Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Payments Week 18 Friday Follow, January 03, 2025 at One Payments Drive.
Pete Prisco | CBS Sports
The Payments will relaxation guys right here to prepare for the playoffs. The Patriots performed the Payments robust two weeks in the past, so what’s to suppose they will not play their backups even higher this time? Search for Drake Maye to have a pleasant day because the Patriots’ first-team group wins it.
Choose: Patriots 24, Payments 23
Anthony Dabbundo | The Ringer
Josh Allen is ready to begin this recreation so as to preserve his consecutive video games performed streak, however it seems that the Buffalo starters will play for just one glorified walk-through drive on Sunday. Drake Maye was restricted in Wednesday’s follow as a result of a hand harm, however the Patriots intend to play all of their starters.
At present, the Patriots maintain the no. 1 decide within the 2025 NFL draft. As with the Giants final week, the group’s decision-makers could not prioritize profitable, however the gamers on the sphere will nonetheless be giving their greatest come kickoff on Sunday.
I am not totally satisfied that the Patriots, at full energy with Maye, needs to be thought of underdogs in opposition to a Buffalo group of backups. When these two groups confronted off in Orchard Park two weeks in the past, New England had two profitable drives and took a 14-0 lead in opposition to the Payments protection. Though Buffalo managed to come back again to win the sport, the unfold was excessive then and now it appears to be too favorable towards Buffalo.
There may be nonetheless an opportunity that the Patriots could select to not play Maye. There’s additionally a risk that the Patriots make an organizational determination to carry on to the primary decide by beginning Maye for a part of the sport, then changing him with Joe Milton halfway via. As a result of uncertainty of enjoying time for New England’s quarterbacks, I’m leaning towards New England.
Verdict: Lean Patriots +2.5
Bleacher Report
The Buffalo Payments are locked into the AFC’s No. 2 seed for the playoffs, so it is sensible that they are solely favored by a area aim over the New England Patriots.
Head coach Sean McDermott told reporters he’ll use a “mix” of starters and backups.
Josh Allen and many of the Payments’ offensive starters could not play within the second half or into the second quarter.
Bear in mind, the Patriots solely misplaced by a area aim to the Payments in Buffalo two weeks in the past. That stated, New England head coach Jerod Mayo spoke about the opportunity of resting gamers to attenuate the danger of harm.
Due to the uncertainty concerning participant workloads, this recreation is a tricky name, however O’Donnell made a case to again the Patriots.
“The Payments will pull Josh Allen in a short time after what needs to be not more than a ceremonial begin. On the time of this writing, we do not know if the Patriots will sit Drake Maye to guard him and/or higher their possibilities of locking up the No. 1 decide within the 2025 draft. Perhaps the groups comply with play to a tie. I do not know.
“You may’t inform the 22 guys on the sphere every snap to not do their jobs, although, and I am simply going to take the factors and hope for the most effective right here.”
Predictions
Davenport: Payments
Gagnon: Patriots
Hanford: Patriots
Knox: Patriots
Michelino: Payments
Moton: Patriots
O’Donnell: Patriots
Sobleski: Patriots
ATS Consensus: Patriots +3
Rating Prediction: Patriots 22, Payments 17
Rohit Ponnaiya | Covers.com
With a 13-3 file, the Buffalo Bills are locked into the No. 2 seed and don’t have anything to play for in Week 18. Star quarterback Josh Allen has talked about how a lot his consecutive begins streak of 115 issues to him, so anticipate him to begin earlier than shortly coming off the sphere.
Coach Sean McDermott has stated that there might be a mix of starters and backups enjoying this week. That may make it exhausting for the Payments to win not to mention cowl as quick street faves.
On the floor, the New England Patriots may also lack motivation since a defeat would imply they safe the No. 1 decide within the draft. That stated, getting a younger group to tank isn’t fairly so simple as some followers would love. There are many inexperienced and fringe starters on this New England squad who’re preventing for his or her jobs and head coach Jerod Mayo might use a optimistic finish to a bumpy season.
Remember that when these groups clashed at Highmark Stadium simply two weeks in the past, the Patriots outgained the Payments 379-324 and misplaced by simply three factors. And that was with Buffalo nonetheless making an attempt to win video games.
The Patriots have been horrible on each side of the ball however they have been enjoying higher on offense since Drake Maye took over at QB.
In the meantime, the Payments have regressed on protection and are simply thirtieth within the league in defensive success price since Week 9.
I will take a shot on the Pats profitable a meaningless recreation in opposition to an unmotivated Payments facet.
Will the Payments proceed their profitable methods at house? Take a look at what the specialists are predicting for Sunday.
Payments return house after two weeks on the street. Will they win their seventh house recreation of the season? Take a look at what the specialists are predicting for Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Patriots.
Will the Payments halt Detroit’s 11-game win streak or will Detroit hand Buffalo its second consecutive loss? Take a look at what the specialists are predicting for the sport of the week within the NFL.
Will the Rams break their two-game house dropping streak? Will the Payments win their eighth consecutive recreation? Take a look at what the specialists are predicting for Sunday’s recreation in LA.
Will the Payments proceed their profitable methods coming off the bye week? Take a look at what the specialists are predicting for Sunday Evening Soccer in Orchard Park.
Two of the AFC’s high groups are set to fulfill. Who will prevail? Take a look at who the specialists are selecting for the massive recreation.
Will Indianapolis proceed its two-game profitable streak over the Payments? Take a look at what the specialists are predicting for Sunday.
Will Buffalo proceed its profitable methods in opposition to Miami? Take a look at what the specialists are predicting for Sunday’s AFC East conflict.
Will Buffalo get its first win in Seattle since 2004? Discover out what NFL analysts are predicting for Sunday’s matchup in opposition to the Seahawks.
Will the Payments proceed their profitable methods at Highmark Stadium? Take a look at what NFL analysts are predicting for Sunday’s recreation in opposition to Tennessee.
Which group will finish its two-game dropping streak this week? Discover out what NFL analysts are predicting for Monday Evening Soccer.
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