NFL Football
2025-12-14 - Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NFL Week 15
Sunday 14th December 2025 - Scheduled 1pm
6pm (British Time)
Preview
The AFC East is still up for grabs, but it is the New England Patriots (11-2) who have stolen the march on the Buffalo Bills (9-4).
They have already beaten the Bills on the road, which means another win on Sunday will earn the New England Patriots the Divisional crown, although everyone associated with the road team are going to be expecting a big test from the long-time AFC East dominant team.
Ten straight wins have taken the Patriots to the top of the Division, although the win over the Bills is the standout victory in that run. That victory was all the way back in early October and New England have beaten those teams they would have expected to beat, which is still going to give them a lot of confidence as they edge closer to a return to the Playoff.
It should mean New England play with plenty of motivation to prove themselves by sweeping an opponent that will be thinking Super Bowl or bust.
We will learn plenty about the Bills this week too- over the course of the season the team have had issues on the Defensive side of the ball, but they look to be rounding into Playoff form at just the right time, although that is going to be tested by the Patriots.
A positive for the Bills Defensive Line is that they should be able to maintain recent standards when it comes to playing the run- they have held recent opponents to way below the season average and Buffalo will be facing a New England team that will look to pound the rock, but who have been struggling to rip off big gains.
Drake Maye will not be intimidated by the challenge he could be facing at Quarter Back and the numbers have remained very strong.
However, he is also going to be tested by an improving Buffalo Secondary as injuries have begun to clear up and this is a real opportunity for the Bills to close the gap at the top of the Division if they can maintain recent levels.
Josh Allen and company will feel the Buffalo Offensive Line can be the dominant unit on the Line of Scrimmage on either side of the ball and the Quarter Back can use his own legs and James Cook's in a bid to put his team in third and manageable spots. The Bills will be firm in that belief and will continue to pound the rock against this New England Defensive Line, which has struggled to clamp down up front, and that could be the edge needed in this big AFC East game.
This will also be key in giving Josh Allen time when he does step back to throw the ball down the field, although he will be aware that this New England Secondary are the strength of the team.
New England won a tight game on the road at Buffalo and there is every reason to believe this one will be competitive throughout too.
However, it is that Buffalo Offensive Line versus New England's Defensive Line edge that has to be given to the road team and it may be the factor that makes all of the difference in the final outcome.
The Bills have been solid road favourites when they have had Josh Allen under Center, while the Quarter Back has a very strong winning record against the spread when operating with revenge. After losing to the Jets and Patriots in Divisional games in 2023, Buffalo were able to win the second time around and it feels like an experienced team can do that in Foxboro in Week 15.
Prediction
Lay the points with the road favourite.
The Pick :
New England Patriots 20-23 Buffalo Bills
