[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw1j59gmjw5gdj player_id=none image=https://billswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
As Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen pointed out this week it will be a two-way street during Saturday’s wild-card meeting with the New England Patriots.
Earlier this season the weather played a big part in an outcome against the Patriots (10-7). The Bills (11-6) lost in a windy affair as the Pats ran the ball at will that day.
This upcoming weekend won’t be windy, but it will be cold. Single-digit temperatures await.
But Allen said earlier this week that it’s not just him and his teammates in Buffalo dealing with that weather. New England has to as well and that’s the same mindset Pats head coach Bill Belichick has toward the Bills.
“I have a lot of confidence in our players. Through the course of the careers, they’ve dealt with multiple situations of all various types, so, hopefully, we’re prepared for that,” Belichick said. “I’m more worried about the Bills than the weather. I think the Bills are what we have to focus on and that’s who we have to beat. The weather is the weather.”
And speaking of the Bills and Allen, the QB is amongst the No. 1 things his team will have to deal with if they are pull off the upset in Buffalo.
“Josh is one of the best players in the league. Dynamic player. The ball is in his hands a lot. He can do a lot of things with it, make all the throws at all levels of the field, obviously run with the ball, scramble, extend plays, and throw it,” Belichick said. “It’s always a challenge to play against him. He’s a tough guy to stop.”
In an effort to do just that, pass rusher Matthew Judon has to regain his form for the Patriots. Prior to facing Buffalo for a second time in Week 16, Judon had 12.5 sacks.
In the final four games of the season where New England went 1-3, Judon did not record a single one, including against the Bills. In Round 1 against Buffalo, Judon was all over Allen.
In his opinion, the Patriots defense has to pick and choose their poison a bit. The best option for his team is to let Allen try and win it with his arm and not his legs.
“We have to keep him in the pocket and make him use his arm and make him beat the coverage,” Judon said via video conference.
A bit bold, perhaps.
Against the Patriots this season, it has been a tale of two games for the QB. Allen only completed half of his throws in the windy Week 13 contest. But the second time around he was elite, going 30-for-47 passing with 314 yards and three touchdowns.
If Judon wants to let Allen pass… Buffalo might not be too upset about that…
[lawrence-related id=95138,95133,95131]