There is an interesting AFC East game in Buffalo this weekend between the New England Patriots (2-4) and the Buffalo Bills (5-2).
The Patriots are trying to turn their season around while the Bills are looking to hold their lead in the division and elevate their standing in the AFC playoff race.
Who will win the game, which is set for 11 a.m. (Arizona time) on CBS?
Check out these picks and predictions for the Week 8 NFL game.
The Bills are a 3.5-point favorite at home.
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NFL.com: Bills 24, Patriots 18
Gregg Rosenthal writes: "Sean McDermott is 0-6 against Bill Belichick, but these aren't the same Patriots.Cam Newton's deep slump, which started before hispositive COVID-19 test, has distracted from how much worse New England's defense is this year. That's welcome news forJosh Allen, who hasn't led the Bills to more than 18 points in any of their last three games after averaging over 30 in their first four. Allen's struggles against Belichick are well-documented, and Buffalo's defensive shortcomings versus the run could keep this game close. Still, the talent gap is wide. The Bills should have been ready to beat a limited Pats team in Foxborough last December. If they can't do it now, something is seriously wrong."
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Yahoo Sports: Bills will cover against Patriots
Frank Schwab writes: "Sometimes you see a point spread that is so inviting, you wonder if you’re missing something. The Patriots can’t move the ball.Cam Newtonhas played very poorly since coming off the reserve/COVID-19 list (I’m not sure ifNewton’s playis related to him being on that reserve list, but it can’t be ruled out). Sure the Bills have lost some luster. But losing to the Titans and Chiefs isn’t bad, and they outgained the Jets 422-190, they just couldn’t get in the end zone. I’m not sure why this spread isn’t double what it is."
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CBS Sports: Bills 28, Patriots 20
Pete Prisco writes: "The Patriots have looked awful in their last two games, but the Bills haven't been cooking either. This is the game that could define whether the Bills are ready to take the division from the Patriots. New England's defense has major issues right now, which is why I thinkJosh Allenwill exploit it. New England's troubles continue."
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New York Times: Bills will cover against the Patriots
Benjamin Hoffman writes: "After the first few weeks of the season, these teams looked like two of the N.F.L.’s best. Since then, the Bills’ (5-2) offensive struggles joined their defensive issues among the team’s concerns. The Patriots (2-4) have outdone thatby simply being awful, since starting 2-1. A case could be made that one of these teams will leave Sunday’s game with some momentum, but Buffalo managed to attract even more doubters when it “only”beat the Jets, 18-10,last week, without scoring a single touchdown. In searching for a reason for New England’s struggles, TV commentator Jeff Garcia took aim at Cam Newton’s postgame outfits rather than any legitimate reasons like, say, the team’s defense, which has been flailing equally against the run and the pass despite the presence of cornerback Stephon Gilmore."
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Sporting News: Bills 27, Patriots 14
Bill Bender writes: "The Patriots haven't lost four straight games since 2002, and the poor quarterback play is eye-opening. New England QBs have combined for just three TDs and 11 interceptions this season. The Bills will be more than happy to pile on."
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Sportsnaut: Bills 28, Patriots 13
Vincent Frank writes: "Riding a two-game losing streak after winning four consecutive to start the season, the Bills are in desperate need for a rebound performance. Primarily, it has been the team’s defense that’s struggled during this span. Buffalo has yielded 384 rushing yards over the past two outings. It should come against a reeling Patriots team that was absolutely embarrassed by the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7, losing at home by the score of 33-6. It’s a game that sawCam Newton benchedafter throwing three interceptions. All said, Patriots quarterbacks have tossed three touchdowns and 11 picks en route to a 2-4 start to the season. This one shouldn’t be close."
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Bleacher Report: Bills 23, Patriots 20
It writes: "It isn't easy for anyone to accept that the Buffalo Bills might finally be good (especially considering some recent poor performances) or that the New England Patriots might finally be bad (Bill Belichickremains their head coach).And so it's also appropriate that our writers are deadlocked with Buffalo laying a field goal plus a terrifying hook at home Sunday against the Pats. … The Pats are desperate, so it's not hard to imagine them keeping this close. They could lose four straight games for the first time since2002and still cover this spread with a field-goal loss.Then again, it's also possible the guard is finally changing, and this will be a strong indicator of that. You might want to sit it out to be safe."
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Sporting News: Bills 24, Patriots 17
Vinnie Iyer writes: "The 5-2 Bills didn't get pretty against the Jets but they did get well from the tough losses to the Titans and the Chiefs, maybe having a breakthrough in their traditional running game with rookie Zack Moss. This seems like a chance for the 2-4 Patriots to get back into the division race and they couldn't lose four straight games badly, could they? But there's a big advantage at quarterback for Josh Allen over Cam Newton and New England can't simply win this one with a run-heavy, defensive-minded approach."
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