Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots first-half open thread

The Buffalo Bills (10-4) have a chance to draw even in the AFC East with the New England Patriots (11-3) this week. This is the first time since 1964 where the two teams have met when each team has more than ten wins, and it’s the first time since 1998 where the Bills have had a chance at a share of first place this late in a season. Buffalo beat the Boston Patriots 24-14 on December 20, 1964, and the Bills lost 17-10 to the New York Jets on December 19, 1998.

While a victory won’t give the Bills a lead in the division, it will set up a scenario where both Buffalo and New England will play meaningful football in Week 17. Buffalo needs to win this afternoon, beat the New York Jets next Sunday, and hope the Miami Dolphins can defeat the Patriots in order to be AFC East champs for the first time since 1995. All New England needs to do to avoid that scenario is win today.

Josh Allen looks to improve upon his disastrous first outing against New England, one where he was intercepted three times and eventually left the game after taking a helmet-to-helmet shot from Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones. Jones won’t play today due to a groin injury. Devin Singletary, who missed the first match-up with a hamstring injury, is set to start for Buffalo.

Julian Edelman, listed as questionable thanks to knee and chest injuries, is active today for New England. That is welcome news for veteran quarterback Tom Brady, whose receivers behind Edelman are a thin group.

This is your first-half thread, ladies and gentlemen. May your day be a good one. Go Bills!