Bills at Patriots: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 7
The Buffalo Bills (4-2) will visit the New England Patriots (1-5) in their upcoming Week 7 matchup.
Even with it being an AFC clash game, it will still be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference.
Here are three key matchups to watch during Sunday’s Bills-Patriots contest:
WR Gabe Davis vs. CB JC Jackson
There has been a big emphasis on getting someone other than Stefon Diggs more involved the Bills offense. Make no mistake, Diggs will get his. In seven games against the Patriots in his career, he has 43 receptions for 629 yards and six touchdowns.
But this is a good time for Gabe Davis to get involved.
New England head coach Bill Belichick will likely key in on Diggs. If that happens, it’s likely that the Pats will have JC Jackson against Davis.
Formerly of the Patriots, Jackson signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as a free agent and then was traded back to New England a few weeks ago.
His return has not gone well. In two games back, Pro Football Focus had graded Jackson brutal marks of 48.7 and 52.4, respectively.
This is a battle Davis should win.
DE Greg Rousseau vs. OL Trent Brown
Brown is not only the Patriots’ best offensive lineman, he’s one of the NFL’s best. PFF grades him as the third-best tackle in the league (82.4) heading into Sunday.
But Brown is going to be playing through injury. He’s been listed on the Pats injury report the past week as a limited participant due to a chest injury.
If Rousseau can lead the Bills line and beat Brown, that’s going to open up the game for the rest of Buffalo’s defensive line to get after quarterback Mac Jones.
CB Christian Benford vs. WR Kendrick Bourne
The Patriots offense is short weapons. It has for years and 2023 is not different.
Benford is Buffalo’s top cornerback. If he shuts down New England’s best receiver is Bourne… good luck, Pats.
