New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills, Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
Sunday, December 26, 2010, 1:00 pm EST, TV: CBS
Opening Line: Patriots -8
Current Line: Patriots -9
Opening Total: 46.5
Current Total: 44
Money Line: Patriots -370 / Bills +310
The New England Patriots (12-2) bring a 14-game series winning streak into Buffalo on Sunday in this AFC East matchup with the Bills (4-10). The Patriots (-9) can clinch the division and home-field advantage through the playoffs by beating the Bills a 15th straight time and hope to rebound from a mediocre performance last Sunday night.
New England looked mortal in a 31-27 home win over Green Bay last week, similar to the team’s 38-30 victory against Buffalo in Week 3. The Patriots had won their previous two games by a combined score of 81-10 and failed to cover the spread against the Packers for the first time since a 31-28 win over Indianapolis in Week 11. However, they have covered their last three road games since suffering an embarrassing 34-14 loss at Cleveland in Week 9.
The young defense of New England has gradually improved but has still been partially responsible for the OVER cashing in the team’s last eight games. The Patriots struggled at times with Green Bay’s third-year quarterback Matt Flynn, who was making his first career start in place of the injured Aaron Rodgers. Flynn completed 24 of 37 passes for 251 yards with three touchdowns and one interception but ultimately failed his time management test in the finale minute as the potential game-winning drive for the Packers fell short.
The Bills present a similar challenge for New England with former Harvard quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions in the last meeting. Fitzpatrick has led them to consecutive wins for the second time this season following a 17-14 victory at Miami last week. He completed 16 of 26 passes for 223 yards with two touchdowns and one interception against the Dolphins.
Of course Fitzpatrick is no Tom Brady, who could set an NFL record for most passes thrown without an interception if he attempts his first 17 without a pick against Buffalo. Brady leads the MVP race with 31 touchdown passes and only four interceptions, and he threw for 252 yards with three touchdowns and no picks in the first meeting with the Bills.
Buffalo has covered two of the last three meetings with New England after going 0-5 against the spread in the previous five games between the teams. The UNDER has cashed in the last four home games for the Bills, who have also covered their last three games at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
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