The New England Patriots will keep the Champagne on ice on Sunday afternoon when traveling to Orchard Park for a Week 17 New Year’s Eve showdown with the Buffalo Bills.
An unexpected road scare against the Los Angeles Chargers had the Bills looking vulnerable after back-to-back wins over the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs. They’ll try to bounce back by making an example out of the Patriots team that beat them back in October.
However, this is a much different Patriots team than the one they initially faced.
Bailey Zappe is now the starting quarterback, and the team has been dealt multiple injury blows. It doesn’t make the Patriots any less dangerous, though, as the Denver Broncos learned last week.
Zappe and the offense put together a game-winning drive, which culminated in a 56-yard field goal kick from rookie Chad Ryland for an upset.
They’ll need even greater magic to knock off the Bills at Highmark Stadium, which is still one of the toughest places to play at in the NFL.
