Bills Must Bully Ailing Patriots' Backups in Important Phase of Game

New England is experiencing several injury-related issues heading into Week 5, and the interior of the team's offensive line is an area Buffalo must exploit this weekend at Highmark Stadium.

Dec. 14, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots' quarterback Drake Maye (10) is taken to the ground by Buffalo Bills' linebacker Dorian Williams (42) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Buffalo Bills have a massive opportunity ahead of them against the New England Patriots this weekend in Orchard Park.

With a win, Buffalo can take a commanding three-game lead in the AFC East division and hold a head-to-head tiebreaker over New England to start October, while simultaneously crushing any sort of remaining confidence that third-year quarterback Drake Maye and head coach Mike Vrabel might have after last season’s flukey run to the Super Bowl.

New England not having fun following last year’s run of luck

Sep. 27, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; New England Patriots' quarterback Drake Maye (10) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars' defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during the second quarter at EverBank Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Coming off a terrible 35-6 trouncing by the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road in Week 3, the Patriots are seemingly still reeling after falling short to the Seattle Seahawks and backup quarterback Drew Lock in the season opener at Lumen Field in Washington state back on September 9.

Whether it be Maye’s dwindling positive demeanor due to his incredibly poor play on the field, or the excessive amount of injuries the team has sustained through three weeks, the honeymoon from last year is over in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Seemingly already at a crossroads heading into the second month of the season, New England’s outlook moving forward could drastically change depending on the outcome of Sunday’s outing against Buffalo.

If they can win, then the Patriots’ season might take a turn for the better like it did in 2025. However, another loss, and the players on New England’s roster could quickly find themselves daydreaming of the offseason already.

Matchup between Bills and Patriots is massive despite being October

Dec. 22, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; A young Buffalo Bills' fan shows support for Bills' quarterback Josh Allen's MVP candidacy during the second half against the New England Patriots at the old Highmark Stadium. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The matchup, no matter the time of year, is gigantic in terms of what the division standings and AFC playoff landscape may look like later on this winter.

So, with that in mind, it’s up to first-year head coach Joe Brady’s squad to take full advantage of the chance to almost fully put Maye and Co. out of their collective misery before Halloween even arrives.

It’s imperative that the Bills bury their AFC East foe before any sort of resurrection occurs over the coming days, weeks, and months of the regular season.

After last Sunday’s disappointing display by the Bills against the Los Angeles Chargers at Highmark Stadium, though, the thought that the upcoming divisional contest will be easy shouldn’t cross any fan’s mind.

Sep. 27, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills' quarterback Josh Allen (17) scrambles with the ball in the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at Highmark Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Chargers were also banged up quite badly entering the matchup with Buffalo last weekend, but somehow the Bills still found themselves trailing the winless AFC West squad well into the fourth quarter.

And, with New England now experiencing similar turmoil on the injury front just as Los Angeles was last week, the comparisons between both contests are awfully similar.

However, this time around, Buffalo must buckle down and dominate the matchups that they should.

Injury-riddled Patriots put in tough spot heading into Week 4

Sep. 27, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; New England Patriots' quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws down the field during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium in Week 3. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Patriots are undoubtedly hobbled to start the year, already having placed players like prized wide receiver A.J. Brown, tight end Julian Hill, and starting punter Bryce Baringer on injured reserve, as well as starting right guard Mike Onwenu.

They have even signed a pair of Buffalo’s former players to supplement some of the losses.

Now, it appears as if the team will be at even more of a disadvantage on Sunday against the Bills as backup guard Greg Van Roten, who was previously filling in for Onwenu, was also just placed on IR due to a thigh injury.

Either backup swing interior lineman Ben Brown or third-string backup guard Walter Rouse will take Van Roten’s place, and it’s the furthest thing from New England’s first option.

Between the two, Brown—a 2022 undrafted free agent of the Cincinnati Bengals out of Ole Miss—and Rouse—a 2024 sixth-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings out of Oklahoma—have appeared in only 39 total NFL games, with Brown having the only starts to his name as he’s made 14 for the Patriots over the past two regular seasons.

Bills’ interior DL needs to dominate trenches

Aug. 15, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills' defensive tackle Deone Walker (96) pressures Carolina Panthers' quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first half of a preseason game at the new Highmark Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Needless to say, Buffalo needs to exploit the matchup, specifically with players like Deone Walker, Ed Oliver, and DeWayner Carter.

Although Oliver has had a slightly slow start to the season, many players thought he was on the verge of a breakout season this summer at training camp.

Furthermore, both Walker and Carter appear to be on the ascension. Bills ON SI has covered their rise to relevancy amongst league circles in recent weeks.

Sunday’s game provides each player with a prime opportunity to build upon their already impressive 2026 résumés.

Sep. 27, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills' defensive lineman DeWayne Carter (90) pressures Los Angeles Chargers' quarterback Justin Herbert (10) in the second half at the new Highmark Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Will it happen? Well, that remains to be seen.

But, it’s certainly an area for Bills Mafia to keep a close eye on this weekend. Oftentimes, games are won in the trenches, and the matchup between Buffalo and New England will be no different.

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