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Buffalo Bills Links, 10/31: Previewing the Patriots

Plus, how can the Bills contain New England’s ground game?

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On a Halloween edition of the Buffalo Bills daily links, we explore whether the Bills (5-2) and their fans are in for a treat on Sunday when the New England Patriots (2-4) come to Bills Stadium for a 1 p.m. EST clash, or whether Buffalo’s nemesis for much of the last 20 years, Patriots coach Bill Belichick, will have some tricks up his sleeve in this AFC East showdown.

We identify four key matchups to watch for when the Bills and Patriots meet for the first time, beginning with Belichick vs. Buffalo’s offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, defensive end Jerry Hughes vs. whoever the banged-up Patriots trot out at right tackle, Buffalo right tackle Daryl Williams vs. talented edge rusher Chase Winovich, and of course, the marquee matchup between wide receiver Stefon Diggs and former Bill Stephon Gilmore.

The Bills will need to establish Devin Singletary, Zack Moss and the rushing attack against a depleted Patriots’ linebacking corps, but on the other side of the field, do the Bills have the pieces in place to slow down New England’s ground game?

We provide five Bills and five Patriots players to watch in this game, get the latest injury news on guard Cody Ford, cornerback Josh Norman, safety Micah Hyde, and defensive tackle Vernon Butler, discuss whether the Bills will have enough money to lock up linebacker Matt Milano to a new contract, assess whether cornerback Dane Jackson can become Buffalo’s latest developmental cornerback prospect to succeed, break down how free-agent cornerback Daryl Worley could help Buffalo’s secondary, and much more!


Four matchups to watch for Patriots at Bills | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Here are four matchups to watch when the New England Patriots visit the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Do Bills have enough to stop Patriots’ rushing attack? – The Athletic
All signs point to New England taking a run-heavy approach against Buffalo, which could leave the defense vulnerable. (Subscription required).

Take Five: Bills need to start quickly, and get running game going | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Here are Vic Carucci’s five takes on the Buffalo Bills’ game Sunday against the New England Patriots at Bills Stadium.

Bills are simply better than the Patriots in 2020 - Democrat & Chronicle
Hard as it may be to believe, the Bills are simply better than the Patriots in 2020.

McDermott: We have to put in the preparation and work for NE - WGR 550
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott joined Howard Simon and Jeremy White for his weekly appearance on the station’s Buffalo Bills Football Friday.

Cody Ford, Josh Norman out for Bills Sunday, 7 others questionable | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Ford will be missing his second game in a row with a knee injury he suffered in the Bills' Oct. 19 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Cody Ford & Josh Norman ruled out for Sunday, several defensive starters questionable - WKBW TV
Linebacker Matt Milano and safety Micah Hyde are among those with a gameday status that’s still up in the air.

Bills vs. Patriots injury outlook: Updates on Stephon Gilmore, John Brown, Micah Hyde, N’Keal Harry & more - newyorkupstate.com
Some big names in doubt for Sunday’s game in Buffalo.

Ford, Norman out for Bills; Edelman, Harry out for Patriots - WGR 550
The Buffalo Bills have ruled out cornerback Josh Norman and offensive lineman Cody Ford for their game Sunday against the New England Patriots, while the Patriots have ruled out wide receivers Julian Edelman and N’Keal Harry.

One-on-One Coverage: Mitch Morse on what keeps him ‘sane,’ fixing Bills’ run game | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
In the latest edition of One-on-One Coverage, The Buffalo News' Vic Carucci speaks with the Bills' center.

Ed Oliver and Cam Newton exchange last summer adds intrigue to Bills vs. Patriots - newyorkupstate.com
Oliver: 'It’s not a personal battle between me and Cam, but it will be nice to get one on him.'

Bills Mailbag: Will there be enough salary cap space to re-sign Matt Milano? | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
The mailbag fields questions about Bills’ cap space, free agents, and more ahead of Sunday’s game with the New England Patriots.

Bills Today | ESPN offers this opinion on Stefan Diggs’ fantasy prospects in Week 8 - BuffaloBills.com
Here are three things to know about the Bills for Saturday, Oct. 31.

Buffalo Bills 2020 Vision: Is Dane Jackson the Next Levi Wallace? - Buffalo Fanatics - Buffalo Bills
The seventh-round draft pick made some key contributions to a depleted secondary in the win over the Jets.

Report: Cornerback Daryl Worley, cut by Cowboys, to visit Bills | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Worley, 25, was drafted in the third round in 2016 by the Carolina Panthers.

Featured on Buffalo Rumblings

Five Buffalo Bills to watch against the New England Patriots - Buffalo Rumblings
Buffalo could put themselves in a phenomenal spot in the AFC East with a win this week.

Five New England Patriots to watch at Buffalo Bills - Buffalo Rumblings
It’s a totally different Patriots team this week.

Buffalo Bills opponent preview: Is Cam Newton finished? - Buffalo Rumblings
We compare two weeks of Cam Newton’s time in New England to see what’s up with Tom Brady’s 2020 replacement.

The Bruce Exclusive: Dawgs, Drama Queens, and Dominance - Buffalo Rumblings
Good but not great.

Buff Hub: Put the nail in the coffin! Bills vs Pats Preview - Buffalo Rumblings
Buff Hub: Bills vs Pats Feat. Anthony ("Disguised Coverage" Cover 1).

Buffalo Bills activate Lee Smith from COVID-19 list - Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills have activated TE Lee Smith from the Reserve/COVID-19 list one week after he landed there thanks to an exposure in a team meeting.

Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots: Television broadcast map, announcers Week 8 - Buffalo Rumblings
The Bills will take on the Patriots, with no Tom Brady in sight!

Report: Buffalo Bills sign linebacker Darron Lee - Buffalo Rumblings
Whether he’s on the 53-man roster or the practice squad is unknown.