Only Bills stand in way of 4-0 start for Patriots

While their competition has been light so far (Baltimore, New York Jets and Cardinals), Buffalo faces their biggest threat yet at the tight end position in Rob Gronkowski.

Jimmy Garoppolo or Jacoby Brissett?

With Tom Brady’s return from suspension just a week away, Jimmy Garropolo with a little extra motivation to return this week against the Bills. They failed to keep their back up quarterbacks on the field but still put together some wins. However, both quarterbacks are banged up and may not be able to play next week. Brissett is also listed as questionable with a right thumb injury, but is expected to backup Garoppolo on Sunday.

Carolina have faced two brilliant defenses who hunt quarterbacks better than anyone in the NFL.

Q: Prior to the start of the season, what would have been seen as a successful first four games without Brady? 2-2? LeGarrette Blount is one of the biggest reasons as to why the New England Patriots have been able to continue their reign of dominance in the NFL.

Hogan admitted, though, that there will be something different about Sunday from his first three games with the Patriots.

If you were wondering what Julian Edelman’s Madden 17 quarterback stat ratings were, they ended up being fairly modest for a starting wide receiver. It could be either Garoppolo or Brissett in Week 4. Earlier in the week, the product of Eastern Illinois was coy about his availability for Sunday’s game and took a “day-by-day” approach when addressing his injury. The Patriots are 27-3 against Buffalo since 2001, including a 14-1 mark at Gillette Stadium.

The Bills offense will go up against a Patriots offense that has given up 15 Points per game through the beginning of the season. Speaking of winning without star players, the Steelers are 2-1 without Le’Veon Bell and have showed they can find a way to win. The battles date back to the original AFL days, but of late New England has dominated the Bills as much as any opponent in the Brady/Belichick era. The back is having a very nice start to the season, and he will be going to be facing a defense that allowed David Johnson to run for two scores a week ago.

Blount is averaging 25 carries per game, a reflection of the team’s renewed commitment to the running game and the lack of competition for carries. The play though of Jamie Collins and has led the Patriots defensively this season as their top playmakers. Their capability at doing that in the mist of their quarterback injuries may be at question.

NH1 News will also be at Sunday’s game. The Bills may be coming off a game where they picked off Carson Palmer four times, but Rex Ryan’s record against Bill Belichick is an abysmal 4-11.