![]() The rest of the receptions are spread quite evenly among tight end Dawson Knox, Gabriel Davis, Isaiah McKenzie and Singletary. He loves to feed Stefon Diggs, who leads the team with 103 catches for 1,351 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Patriots physical safeties, led by Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers, will need to be aware of Allen at all times.Īllen hasn't been quite as dynamic this season as he was in 2021 but he's still been quite dangerous. Both Singletary and Cook are capable backs but it's Allen who serves as the X-factor, especially near the goal line where he's racked up a team-high seven rushing touchdowns. The Bills average 142.8 yards per game on the ground (seventh) and an incredible 5.3 yards per carry (second). The Bills rushing numbers are outstanding, due in large part to the dynamic presence of Allen, who averages 6.6 yards per rush and is second on the team behind Singletary (790 yards) with 758 yards rushing. The Patriots rank sixth in the league, allowing just 106.4 yards per game on the ground and fifth at 4.1 yards per carry. Lawrence Guy, Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise, Ja'Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai have done a great job stopping the run over the past two months, and it's hard to imagine Devin Singletary and James Cook controlling the game between the tackles. Christian Barmore's physicality up front has been noticeable, as has Carl Davis' ability to take up space. In terms of the traditional running game, the Patriots front has been playing so well as of late that it makes it tough to pick against New England. This matchup is difficult to project because of the presence of Josh Allen. Rookie Tyquan Thornton came up with a 29-yarder against Miami, so perhaps that's a sign that he's ready to expand his role in the finale. The Patriots will need to find a receiver to emerge to make plays downfield and not just rely on Meyers' steadiness. Epenesa and Shaq Lawson off the edges, and Milano is an effective blitzer from his linebacker spot. Buffalo can also pressure the passer, even with veteran Von Miller out for the season with a torn ACL. Stevenson caught six of Jones' 22 completions that night, and Jakobi Meyers (three) was the only other receiver with more than two catches. That group completely controlled the Patriots in the first meeting, holding Mac Jones to 195 yards through the air. Rookies Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford, who was designated to return from IR, also see time in the secondary. He joins Dane Jackson and Taron Johnson at corner with Jordan Poyer at safety. Tre'Davious White is back to full-time status after playing sparingly in the first meeting while coming back from a torn ACL suffered last season. Opponents average 213.3 yards per game through the air (14th in the league) and just 6 yards per pass (sixth) against a Bills secondary that has gotten healthier as of late. The Bills defense has been pretty stout against the pass as well. It's hard to imagine the Patriots getting untracked on the ground in this one. The Patriots managed only 60 yards on the ground in the first meeting, again including a 16-yard draw by Stevenson in an obvious passing situation. The Bills rotate plenty of bodies up front and Ed Oliver, Jordan Phillips, Daquan Jones and Tim Settle have been stout in front of linebackers Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmonds. Buffalo has been strong against the run most of the season, allowing just 104.4 yards per game (fourth in the league) and 4.3 yards per carry (13th). ![]() The 3.7-yards-per-carry average for the team is in line with the recent production despite the fact that the offensive line has been set with the same five starters for the past month. ![]() ![]() New England managed just 77 yards on 21 carries against the Dolphins, and that included an 18-yard draw by Stevenson in a long-yardage situation. His return did little to reverse the trend that has developed over the last two months as the Patriots continue to struggle running the ball. Damien Harris, his running mate for most of the first half of the year, finally made it back in the lineup against Miami on New Year's Day after missing four games with a thigh injury. Rhamondre Stevenson seemed destined to top the 1,000-yard plateau weeks ago but enters the finale still in need of 14 yards to get there. Pardon the pun, but the Patriots running game has quite frankly run out of steam. ![]()
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