The Patriots are in first place in the AFC East, but New England didn’t get any help on Sunday in extending its division lead.
The Bills, currently sitting in second place in the AFC East, defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 26-7. With this win, Buffalo’s record improves to 8-4, while New England leads the division at 10-2.
New England will play the New York Giants on Monday. If the Patriots do not secure a victory, their chances of winning the AFC East will begin to dwindle.
The Bills have five games remaining, including one against New England. If they can go unbeaten through this stretch, which includes beating the Patriots, it could push New England out of first place in the AFC East.
Buffalo’s next five games are against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Patriots, the Cleveland Browns, the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Jets.
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All of those games are winnable for the Bills, which is why New England needs to win on Monday and ensure it beats Buffalo when they face off on Dec. 14.
Even though the Giants have a 2-10 record, the Patriots must take New York seriously because this is a game New England can’t afford to lose, especially with the Bills looming in two weeks.
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