The good news: The Bills won't have to face Tom Brady, because he's serving the final game of that silly Deflategate suspension.
The bad news: Apparently, it doesn't matter who starts at quarterback for the Patriots. In Brady's absence they've won with Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett, and even though both are expected to be available Sunday, we wouldn't be surprised if Bill Belichick trotted out anybody -- from Drew Bledsoe to Doug Flutie to Troy Brown -- and still found a way to win.
If it happens -- and all eight CBSSports.com experts think it will -- the Patriots would be 4-0 when Brady assumes his place atop the depth chart. Yikes.
For an idea of just how important this game is for the Bills, consider this: A loss would mean that, worst case, the Brady-less Patriots have a two-game lead in the division -- and this assumes the Jets beat the Seahawks. If the Jets lose and the Pats win, however, the AFC East would look like this: New England, 4-0; New York, Buffalo and Miami, 1-3.
While not a mathematical certainly, the Patriots, will have wrapped up the division, and the only remaining issue is when they'll do the same with homefield advantage.
Meanwhile, the Bills are coming off their first win of the season, humiliating the Cardinals in a game that wasn't nearly as close as the 33-18 final. It was enough to stave off the inevitable "FIRE REX!" memes, at least for a week, though that could all change if Buffalo gets embarrassed in Foxborough.
Not helping Ryan or the Bills: 2014 first-round pick Sammy Watkins won't play. In fact, Ryan said Friday that there's a "major concern" over Watkins' availability moving forward this season, adding, "If this is something that is hurting this young man in any way, shape or form, then absolutely, I don't want him out there."
How to Watch
- What: Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots
- When: Sunday, Oct. 2, 1 p.m. ET
- Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile App
- Sunday Ticket: DirecTV
- Online: NFL Game Pass (available to watch online after midnight)
- Odds: The Patriots are 7-point favorites, according to SportsLine.
Injury report
Bills
- Patrick Lewis, OL - Out
- Cyrus Kouandjio, OL - Out
- Greg Salas, WR - Out
- Sammy Watkins, WR - Out
- Colt Anderson, DB - Questionable
- Charles Clay, TE - Questionable
- Ronald Darby, CB - Questionable
- Cordy Glenn, OT - Questionable
- Cardale Jones, QB - Questionable
- Jonathan Meeks, DB - Questionable
- Aaron Williams, S - Questionable
Patriots
- Jacoby Brissett , QB - Questionable
- Marcus Cannon, OT - Questionable
- Jonathan Cooper, OG - Questionable
- Jonathan Freeny, OLB - Questionable
- Jimmy Garoppolo, QB - Questionable
- Rob Gronkowski, TE - Questionable
- Dont'a Hightower, MLB - Questionable
- Eric Rowe, CB Ankle - Questionable
Prisco's Pick
The Bills got their first victory against the Cardinals, and looked good doing it. This will be a lot tougher. The Patriots will likely have Jimmy Garoppolo back for this one. He was on fire last time out against Miami, and will do so again here. Patriots continue to roll.
Pick: Patriots 27, Bills 17
