New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills: Breaking Down New England's Game Plan

After righting the ship with a big victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, the New England Patriots will attempt to lay claim to an outright lead in the AFC East. The Buffalo Bills and their imposing defense stand in the way.

Here is how Bill Belichick and his coaching staff may attack the Bills on Sunday.

Patriots Defense vs. Bills Offense

After taking on A.J. Green last week, Darrelle Revis will have his work cut out for him again in Week 6. Rookie receiver Sammy Watkins isn't alone though, according to defensive coordinator Matt Patricia:

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Obviously they've got some really good wide receivers too. The rookie Sammy Watkins has been a very productive player for them. Once he gets the ball in his hands he can make and create a lot of things. He's obviously a very fast player, can stretch the defense vertically. But their other guys - Robert Woods is very productive. Mike Williams is a big receiver, big catch radius, does a great job of going up and getting the ball. So they've got some players that they can distribute the ball to and really attack you in many different areas. 

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The passing attack—led by veteran Kyle Orton instead of EJ Manuel—may be the least of New England's worries. The two-headed monster of Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller needs to be the first priority. If Revis can take care of Watkins by himself, that should free up some other resources to help against the run.

If Dont'a Hightower misses another game due to his knee injury, look for the Patriots to go nickel more often, as Deontae Skinner has no chance of running with the likes of Spiller and Jackson.

Patriots Offense vs. Bills Defense

Any Patriots fan that watched the offensive barrage in 2011 when Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez were paired together shouldn't have been surprised with Gronkowski and Tim Wright thriving in Week 5. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels put together a tight end-heavy game plan and the players executed it to near perfection.

McDaniels praised the play of his tight ends in all facets of the offensive game plan: 

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I think when they're out there together we've got to be able to do multiple things. I certainly can't put them on the field and just do one thing with them or else that becomes something that the defense can focus on too much and try to take away. Our ability to be able to run the ball with them, which I know we did that, too. I think [Stevan] Ridley's big run there in the third quarter came with both of them on the field together. It's like every other personnel grouping that you put out there. If you can go out there and do different things to be productive and not tell the defense exactly what you're going to do on every play, you've got a chance to stay in that and do some good things.

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With the Bills' stout defensive line likely clogging up running lanes, look for Tom Brady to try to exploit the seams again with his tight ends. One false step by a linebacker is all it takes for Wright or Gronkowski to be streaking down the field in between two defensive backs.

In order for the seam routes and play action to have any sort of viability, Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen are going to have to put on their big-boy pants and gain some tough yards. Even at their acme, this current Patriots line may not be able to open up any gaping holes. It will be on the running backs to finish their runs and make the most of any bad situation.

As for the receivers, it is tough to tell week-to-week what the offense is going to call for. It wouldn't be shocking to see both Aaron Dobson and Brian Tyms inactive or on the field for 25 snaps a piece. Short of re-signing Randy Moss, I'm not sure you could surprise me with this group.

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What They're Saying

During his four years in New England, Brandon Spikes has always been worth a big hit and a juicy sound bite each and every week. Via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com, we see Spikes' reactions to Belichick choosing not to take any digs at a former player whose time in New England ended on a sour note and playing against Tom Brady for the first time: 

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'Really? What a pleasant surprise,' Spikes said. 'I don't know ... I expected him ... you guys know how it all ended. I don't think he held a grudge. It is what it is. Players change teams every year, every week. So it just is what it is.' 

[...]

Spikes had high praise for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who will face Spikes as an opponent for the first time after four seasons of practicing against one another. 

'Brady always has a chip on his shoulder. Me, I refer to him as 'Pharaoh,' because he's amazing,' Spikes said. 'I always respect him, because he comes out every year with that edge. That's what the great ones do.'

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With Spikes now in Buffalo, Brady's edge has to carry both sides of the football. Fans saw that against Cincinnati, as Brady's confidence and demeanor infected the entire team, leaving the Bengals shell-shocked. Look for Brady and Spikes to be woofing at each other constantly this Sunday.

Tale of the Tape

Quarterback

Whether Patriots fans prefer the steady mediocrity of Kyle Orton or the uneasy inconsistency of EJ Manuel is a toss-up. Either way, Tom Brady's laser-like focus against the Bengals shows that he can step up his game in tight spots. Securing the top spot in the AFC East seems like Brady's time to shine.

Verdict: Patriots

Running Backs

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Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley compare well to C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson. The former in each grouping are slippery in space, while the latter gets the tough yardage when it's needed. Whichever duo hangs on to the ball and can make a man miss on Sunday could win their team the game.

Verdict: Push

Wide Receivers

Until the Patriots show they have a true "X" receiver in either Aaron Dobson or Brian Tyms, they have a hole in their offense. Between Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods and Mike Williams, Buffalo is loaded with options here.

Verdict: Bills

Tight Ends

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Rob Gronkowski would take this all by himself over Scott Chandler and company, but Tim Wright's emergence makes this a blowout.

Verdict: Patriots

Offensive Line

Outside of Eric Wood and Cordy Glenn, the Bills O-line has been a disaster. Seantrel Henderson and Cyril Richardson have played to their age, while Erik Pears hasn't been able to block anyone the past couple of weeks. On the other hand, the Patriots line is trending up, despite the first four weeks of poor play.

Verdict: Push

Defensive Line

I'm not sure there is a better defensive line in football than the Bills' monster unit of Marcell Dareus, Mario Williams and Kyle Williams. Williams doesn't get the credit of a guy like J.J. Watt, but he has been every bit as good. As well as Chandler Jones and Vince Wilfork have played, they can't compete with Buffalo's body of work.

Verdict: Bills

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Linebackers

New England has more healthy bodies here, even though Jamie Collins and Hightower are banged up. At full strength, Nigel Bradham and Brandon Spikes would make this a tough decision.

Verdict: Push

Defensive Backs

Brandon Browner joins an already deep Patriots secondary that really came into its own against the Bengals. The Bills defensive backs have benefited greatly from their line play, but I wouldn't trust safeties Aaron Williams and Da'Norris Searcy to cover Gronkowski and Wright down the field.

Verdict: Patriots

Special Teams

Punters Colton Schmidt and Ryan Allen have both been up and down, while kickers Stephen Gostkowski and Dan Carpenter have been out of this world. Matthew Slater's prowess at gunner gives the Patriots a slight edge.

Verdict: Patriots

Overall: Patriots 4-2-3

On paper, the Patriots have a slight advantage traveling to Buffalo. However, should the dominant Bills defensive line rear its ugly head, Brady could have some Kansas City flashbacks.

Wednesday's Injury Report Analysis (via Patriots.com)

Did Not Participate: Nate Ebner, Cameron Fleming

Limited Participation: Jamie Collins, Dominique Easley, Dont'a Hightower, Chandler Jones, Devin McCourty, Matthew Slater

Full Participation: None

Dominique Easley's shoulder and Devin McCourty's ribs were the two big stories coming out of the win over the Bengals. McCourty's absence could be handled due to Pat Chung and Duron Harmon's strong play so far this year, but missing Easley would leave a void at defensive end with Michael Buchanan landing on injured reserve.

On the Bills side of the ball, Nigel Bradham and Brandon Spikes were two big names who were limited in practice.

Stats and figures courtesy of NFL.com.