Patriots under coach Mike Vrabel face big test against Bills

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Mike Vrabel is properly conscious of how the tables have turned within the AFC East rivalry between New England and Buffalo since his eight seasons as a Patriots linebacker within the 2000s.

As a participant, Vrabel was a part of a perennial Tremendous Bowl-contending workforce that received 15 of 16 street journeys towards Buffalo. The Patriots’ first-year coach now appreciates the problem New England (2-2) faces in touring to play the AFC-leading Payments (4-0) on Sunday evening.

“One, we don’t have any alternative,” Vrabel joked of the five-time defending division champion Payments, who’ve received 14 straight regular-season house video games.

“However I believe it’s vital that we will take the following step, present that we’re prepared and that perhaps a few of our identification has an opportunity to let itself out,” Vrabel added.

No have to remind Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs of what may be in retailer. Diggs is making his first journey again since spending 4 seasons serving to remodel the Payments into perennial contenders earlier than being traded to Houston in April 2024.

“Clearly, a bit bit sentimental,” stated Diggs, who joined the Patriots in free company this offseason.

“I do know that workforce properly. So it’s going to be one other check for us. Answering the bell goes to be key,” he added. “It’s going to be huge for us to be on the main points and depart no stone unturned and depart no crumbs.”

Whereas New England below Vrabel has proven indicators of competitiveness after 4 of 5 dropping seasons following Tom Brady’s departure, the Payments have turn out to be Patriots-like of their division dominance.

One instance of how a lot separates the groups is New England, coming off a 42-13 victory over Carolina, having the chance to win consecutive video games for the primary time since a three-game run spanning Oct. 30-Nov. 20, 2022. The Payments, by comparability, have misplaced consecutive video games — and not more than two — simply thrice over that stretch.

A month into the season, the Patriots immediately signify the Payments’ largest divisional risk, forward of Miami (1-3) and the Jets (0-4).

With a win Sunday, the Payments may have crushed every of their division rivals as soon as this season and in place to run away with the AFC East as they did a 12 months in the past whereas clinching the title in Week 12.

The Payments, very similar to the Patriots throughout their dominating period, are taking a buttoned-up, respect-your-opponent strategy.

Coach Sean McDermott praised Vrabel and confirmed no signal of holding any grudge towards Diggs, given how their relationship grew to become strained within the receiver’s ultimate season.

“Very impressed when it comes to how he seems to be,” McDermott stated of Diggs’ restoration after a season-ending torn knee ligament final 12 months. “However I’m not stunned. He’s a heck of an athlete and he works extraordinarily laborious.”

The most important issues contain Buffalo’s protection having issue stopping the run and some too many lulls on offense.

On the intense facet, the Payments have the luxurious of correcting their points whereas being unbeaten.

“We didn’t play our greatest sport,” linebacker Terrel Bernard stated following a 31-19 win over New Orleans on Sunday. “However we did sufficient to win.”

After enjoying only one evening sport final 12 months, the Patriots are again in prime time with the outing Sunday their first of three on the schedule.

“These are my favourite kind of video games,” defensive sort out Milton Williams stated. “The lights. Prime time. You already know all people’s watching. These are the kind of video games that I dwell for.”

It additionally can be his first probability to expertise the environment in Buffalo.

“I’ve seen the clips and movies of the followers throwing snowballs and all of that,” he stated. “It ain’t snowing but. However positively, these followers, they’re diehard. It’s going to be a enjoyable atmosphere.”

Vrabel is searching for his first teaching victory at Buffalo. He was 2-3 total towards the Payments in his six seasons with the Titans, however 0-2 in video games performed in Buffalo. He was additionally 0-1 at Buffalo when serving as a Houston Texans assistant.

“The final time they misplaced at house was 14 video games in the past,” Vrabel stated. “We’re properly conscious of that and need to do a number of actually good issues to provide ourselves an opportunity.”

The Payments will debut their all-white with blue lettering “Chilly Entrance” rivalries uniform Sunday, and are asking followers to comply with go well with by carrying white. Meantime, the situations can be hardly wintry. The forecast requires clear skies and a game-time temperature of about 65 Fahrenheit (18 Celsius).

Payments cornerback Tre’Davious White performed down the depth of Buffalo’s rivalry with New England, one thing he first skilled as a rookie first-round decide in 2017.

That season, former Patriots tight finish Rob Gronkowski was penalized for pointless roughness for diving on White, who lay face down, after intercepting Brady.

“Each sport is a brand new sport, it’s a brand new problem,” White stated. “They’ve a brand new workforce, new teaching employees, new gamers.”