Cam Newton to the New England Patriots in the dead spot of the NFL offseason has stirred up all sorts of headlines. In regard to the Bills, it’s all about one question: Who’s the favorite in the AFC East now? The Patriots or Bills?
Because of that, we’re overlooking something pretty simple here: When the heck do the Bills and Patriots actually face each other next season?
Of course, we’ll have to see. Everything we’re about to lay out is a *tentative* schedule for the upcoming season, essentially. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the NFL season could be delayed or altered in some sort of way or ways. The league insists it won’t be doing so, but we also didn’t expect to be battling COVID-19 for as long as we have been.
It’s worth noting when the Bills play the Pats for the obvious, it’s a divisional game. However, there’s some twist to it this year with Newton and because of the actual layout of the schedule.
Buffalo doesn’t see New England until Week 8 this season. Typically as division rivals, the two will see one another once early in the year and once late. Not in 2020, though.
Only one time over the last decade did the Bills and Patriots wait longer to meet: 2017, which was Week 13. Of those 10 years, seven were within the first four weeks of the season.
So what are we getting at? If Newton wins the Patriots’ starting QB job over Jarrett Stidham as many expect, they’ll have seven games to work out the kinks and get on the same page before facing the Bills.
As for the second time these two face, it’ll be a bit more fun, potentially, this next time around.
After kicking things off in Buffalo first, Week 16 sees the Bills travel to New England. That could be a huge game in terms of the standings. The second-to-last game of the season will see those two go toe-to-toe on Monday Night Football. Sounds like a good time.
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