We’ve made it, the NFL Playoffs are finally here. It has been a long year without Patriots playoff football, but we’re back. The Patriots will visit the Buffalo Bills on Saturday at 8:15. It is set up to be a freezing cold game with the temperature near zero.

The Patriots are prepared. This is a little different than the blizzard game in Buffalo earlier this season. Josh McDaniels is ready to roll with the Patriot’s regular playbook. Don’t expect another 3 pass attempt game from Mac Jones.

The Pats are coming off a rough end to the regular season as they lost to Miami in Miami.

They have no other option but to bounce back now. It’s win or go home, what do they need to do to win in Buffalo this time?

Establish the Run

Damien Harris has been the Patriots work horse running back since James White went down with an injury early in the season. He has been a great replacement, but the past two weeks, against the Jaguars and Dolphins he averaged 36 yards per game on the ground. Harris and the offensive line need to be tough to win this game.

Rhamondre Stevenson has been a pleasant surprise as a rookie this year. When Damien Harris is off the field, Stevenson needs to not give this Bills defense a break. He is a powerful runner and needs to use his size and make that defense tired.

Together, Harris and Stevenson should be controlling this game. Make this game easier for the rest of the team. Tire out the Bills and make their defense stay on the field for extended periods of time.

Bounce Back Mac

Mac Jones struggled the last time they played Buffalo. He completed less than 50% of his passes, threw for only 145 yards, and threw two interceptions. The Bills have a great defense, and this will be a great test for the young quarterback.

Jones needs to be accurate and efficient this week. Last week he made a huge mistake early in the game with the pick-six to Xavien Howard.

The Patriots will not have success if Jones is not seeing defenders on the field. A clean game from Jones should put them in a good position to win this game. He just needs to make the right plays.

He needs to find his playmakers, find Kendrick Bourne, Jakobi Meyers, Hunter Henry early and often. They need to build some confidence early in this game. Jones needs to find his guy(s). He needs someone he can trust in the big moments. The Bills have Stefon Diggs, the Patriots don’t. Someone needs to step up.

Patriots Defense

This defense was so good for the majority of the season. But the run defense has struggled lately. They gave up huge games on the ground to the Titans and Colts in the second half of the season. Luckily for them the Bills are a pass first team. That being said, the Patriots can’t just forget about Devin Singletary, Zack Moss, and Matt Breida.

The secondary and the linebackers have been dropping far too many potential interceptions the past few weeks, that can not continue. They need to take advantage of mistakes by Josh Allen.

JC Jackson has a big task guarding Stefon Diggs. That should be a great matchup. The Patriots defense can not forget about the other receivers. Last time they played the Patriots got torched by Isaiah McKenzie. They can not let that happen again.

The Patriots absolutely need to keep Josh Allen in the pocket. They have always struggled against mobile quarterbacks and Allen is no different. Matthew Judon and the rest of the Patriots pass rush will play a key part in this game. They need to get sacks, they can’t get pressure on Allen and give him an alley to run. He will beat them with his legs if he has to.

Potentially Injured Players

Matthew Judon. I know he has been back and playing, but he has not been nearly as effective on the field as of late. His last sack came on December 6th, the blizzard game in Buffalo. He has gone over a month without a sack. He needs to have a big game this week.

Damien Harris. He has been dealing with a hamstring injury for over a month. Harris needs to be ready to go. And at the same time, Rhamondre Stevenson and Branden Bolden need to be ready in case Harris struggles with his hamstring.

Christian Barmore. The rookie hurt his leg against Miami last week. MRI’s came back negative and the Patriots injury report does not show that there is anything to worry about with him. He will be a big part of the defense this week.

Predictions

Mac Jones: 300 yards – 2TD – 1 INT

Damien Harris: 85 yards – 3 receptions 25 yards

Kendrick Bourne: 6 REC – 75 yards

Jakobi Meyers: 5 REC – 40 yards – 1TD

Hunter Henry: 6 REC – 80 yards – 1 TD

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