It is the best matchup for New England since they know the Bills well and they don’t really want to run the ball. But the defense needs to play much better than they did the last time they met. They could not stop them on 3rd and 4th down. And Isaiah McKenzie had a career day against the Pats 4th CB (Myles Bryant) who may have to log heavy minutes this week with Jalen Mills on the Covid list. Bryant was so bad, I couldn’t believe they kept trotting him out there. Jackson held his own against Diggs and he wasn’t a major factor. It was the ancillary pieces that killed them. Plus Allen threw a couple balls that should have been picked, one to Jackson who is usually pretty sure handed. Those could changed the trajectory of the game.

Bills are a more talented team without a doubt. Pats need to get off to a good start and keep it close to have a chance at pulling off the upset. They ran the ball well the first meeting even though everyone knew that’s all they were doing, but they’ve been getting beat at the line of scrimmage lately on both sides. Can’t have that. They can win for sure, but I don’t have much confidence that they will. I’ll know what kind of game it’ll be after the first few drives. Avoid the slow start and they have a legit chance. Get down 14 or 17 early and they have no chance. I know that goes for most teams, but that’s been their issue all season long. Mac had been able to bring them back in games within a score but then the defense can’t come up with a stop when they need it.

The Raiders have a decent roster but they’ve just had such a turbulent year with the Ruggs deadly DUI and Gruden getting fired for the whole email fiasco. It’s a testament that they were able to keep things together and make the playoffs.

Weather in Buffalo should favor the Pats slightly, but they have to play from ahead. Way too often this season they give up a TD on the opening drive, go 3 and out, and give up another score. They’re not built to play from behind on either side of the ball. Can’t stop the run on D and they want to run it on offense. Not a good recipe when down 2 or 3 scores.

AFC is pretty wide open. There is no real favorite. Tennessee is probably the most complete team especially if Henry is back to somewhat normal. Chiefs D was playing real well for a stretch but they’ve regressed of late and their offense hasn’t really clicked all year. The Bills are up and down. Bengals finished strong but they are young and untested. Patriots have been bad since their bye aside from annihilating a very bad and Covid ridden Jaguars team at home. And I’m not sure how the Raiders and Steelers made it in. I think all the home teams should win, but that rarely happens so I’d expect at least 1 or 2 to slip up.

that’s how I see it. I don’t think there’s any mandate laid down by Axl to not say anything about the inner workings of the band. Nor do I think Slash or Duff is afraid of Axl. They just know the pros and cons of what they do or don’t say. It’s one thing to talk about the MKC Conspiracies or whatever they call themselves. The reach is a lot less broad and they have much more control. They know how it works in GNR. What do they gain from spilling all the beans when they’re all working towards a common goal? Same thing for Ron, DJ, etc. They can talk freely about their own side projects. They have no control over what happens in GNR. So why even go there?