The Buffalo Bills need some wins and some help if they want to steal the division back from the New England Patriots, and may have just gotten some good news on one of those fronts.
The Bills are one win behind the Patriots with two games remaining and will need to win one more game than New England the rest of the way. That could be a difficult task, with the Bills facing the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles this weekend, while the Patriots get two teams playing out the season with backup quarterbacks.
But the Bills may have some of the help they needed — in the form of New England’s injury report for Sunday’s game.
Patriots Playing Shorthanded Against Jets
As ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported, the Patriots will be missing five starters when they take to the road to face the Jets. The list includes a former Bills wide receiver who has been a top target for quarterback Drake Maye.
“Among the starters already ruled out are wide receivers Kayshon Boutte (concussion) and Mack Hollins (abdomen); defensive end Harold Landry III (knee); linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle) and left guard Jared Wilson (concussion),” Reiss reported.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel added that rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson may be able to play, but was still progressing through concussion protocol on Friday. The Patriots are depleted in their depth as well, with defensive tackle Milton Williams not ready to return from injured reserve
“Williams’ projected replacement, Khyiris Tonga, will also miss Sunday’s game with a foot injury, according to Vrabel. In addition, reserve receiver DeMario ‘Pop’ Douglas is questionable with a hamstring injury,” Reiss reported.
Bills Banged Up Too
The Bills are dealing with their own health issues as they host the Eagles. Head coach Sean McDermott announced on Friday that safety Jordan Poyer, defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, and kicker Matt Prater were all ruled out for the game.
The team also announced that defensive tackle DaQuan Jones would be out, though quarterback Josh Allen was cleared to play after being limited in practice with a foot injury.
“Should be good to go,” McDermott said on Friday, via ESPN. “Yeah, the soreness is kind of dissipated day to day as we move through the week here. So, he should be in a good spot.”
Some of Allen’s favorite targets could be out, however. Tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox were both listed as questionable with knee injuries.
The Bills have already clinched a playoff spot after last week’s win over the Cleveland Browns and a loss from the Indianapolis Colts, but they are still fighting for positioning. Even if they can’t steal the division back from the Patriots, the Bills would be able to move all the way up to the No. 5 spot with wins in their remaining games.
Moving up to No. 5 would give the Bills a favorable matchup with the winner of the AFC North, likely the Pittsburgh Steelers, and a chance at hosting a game if they advance to later rounds.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Bills Just Got Best Possible News in Bid to Steal Division Title appeared first on Heavy Sports.