Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots Week 16 NFL Picks & Predictions 12/24/2017
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Gillette Stadium
Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game
Gillette Stadium is the venue for the game between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots on Sunday, December 24, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has New England as 10 point favorites. The total has been set at 47. The Patriots are 9-5-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 6-8-0. The Bills are 8-5-1 ATS and their over/under record is 7-7-0.
Valuable Buffalo Bills Betting Trends
The Buffalo Bills are 7-7-0 against the over/under
The Buffalo Bills are 8-5-1 against the spread
Important New England Patriots Betting Trends
The New England Patriots are 6-8-0 against the over/under
The New England Patriots are 9-5-0 against the spread
Key Buffalo Bills Injuries
12/18/17 QB Nathan Peterman Concussion is upgraded to probable Sunday vs New England
12/17/17 CB E.J. Gaines Knee left last game, is "?" Sunday vs New England
12/17/17 G John Miller Ankle is "?" Sunday vs New England
12/17/17 WR Kelvin Benjamin Knee injured last game, is "?" Sunday vs New England
12/15/17 T Cordy Glenn Foot IR
12/05/17 WR Jordan Matthews Knee IR
12/05/17 DE Shaq Lawson Ankle IR
11/03/17 RB Taiwan Jones Arm IR
10/15/17 S Colt Anderson Arm IR
Key New England Patriots Injuries
12/18/17 RB Rex Burkhead Knee left last game, is downgraded to OUT Sunday vs Buffalo
12/17/17 DL Alan Branch Knee is "?" Sunday vs Buffalo
12/17/17 DB Brandon King Hamstring is "?" Sunday vs Buffalo
12/17/17 WR Chris Hogan Shoulder is "?" Sunday vs Buffalo
12/17/17 LB Kyle Van Noy Calf is "?" Sunday vs Buffalo
12/14/17 OL Marcus Cannon Ankle IR
11/27/17 TE Martellus Bennett Hamstring IR
11/27/17 DB Nate Ebner Knee IR
10/26/17 LB Dont'a Hightower Pectoral IR
09/22/17 DT Vincent Valentine Knee IR
09/06/17 WR Malcolm Mitchell Knee IR
09/05/17 WR Julian Edelman ACL IR
09/04/17 LB Shea McClellin Undisclosed IR
09/01/17 CB Cyrus Jones ACL IR
Useful Offensive Statistics
The Buffalo Bills have run for 1,807 yards as a unit, which ranks 6th in the league. They've run 431 times, averaging 4.2 yards per rush as a unit. The Bills have been penalized on offense 88 times for 744 yards so far this year, which has them 22nd in the NFL in penalties. They are 23rd in the National Football League in points scored with 264. They have run 879 plays this year for 4,204 yards, which ranks them 29th in the NFL in total offense. The Bills average 4.8 yards per play, which is 28th in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 238 1st downs this season, ranking them 29th overall as an offensive unit. Tyrod Taylor has completed 223 throws while attempting 355 passes for a completion percentage of 62.8%. He has passed for 2,314 yards this year. He averages 10.4 yards per completion and 6.5 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating this season is 89.1.
Defensive Statistics
The Bills rush defense has given up 406 attempts for 1,708 yards this season, putting them in 25th place in the NFL against the run. They have had 81 penalties for 718 yards on defense this year. That places them 3rd in the league. They've allowed a score on 35.8% of possessions on defense, which is 19th in the NFL. Buffalo is 16th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 306. They have given up a total of 4,915 yards on D, which is 23rd in the league. The Bills are 17th in yards per play allowed with 5.3. Their pass defense has allowed 6.1 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 18th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 319 throws on 501 attempts against the Buffalo Bills defense this season, ranking them 24th and 27th in the league. The Buffalo pass defense has also surrendered a total of 3,207 yards in the air, which is 17th overall in total pass defense.
Special Teams Stats
The Buffalo Bills have tried 26 field goals this season and made 23, which is 17th in the league. Their kickers have a FG percentage of 88.5%. Buffalo Bills kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 27 for 27 this season. Their punters have accumulated 3,198 yards on 72 punts, averaging 44.4 yards per punt. That ranks them 22nd in the NFL in punting average. Buffalo is 28th in the NFL in punt returns with 22. They've totaled 199 punt return yards and are averaging 9 yards per return, which is 13th in the league. Their longest punt return this season is 40 yards. They have returned 28 kicks for 569 yards on special teams, placing them 18th in kick return yardage. The Bills average 20.3 yards per kick return and have a long of 29 yards this season. They are 30th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 5,176.
Useful Offensive Statistics
The New England Patriots are 4th in the NFL in points scored with 395. They have run 922 plays this season for 5,566 yards, which ranks them 2nd in the league in total offense. The Patriots average 6 yards per play, which is 3rd in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 333 1st downs this year, placing them 1st overall as an offensive unit. On the ground New England has run for 1,549 yards as a team, which ranks 16th in the NFL. They've run 372 times, averaging 4.2 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Patriots have been penalized on offense 89 times for 776 yards so far this season, which has them 21st in the league in penalties. Tom Brady has thrown for 4,163 yards this season. He has completed 346 passes on 516 attempts for a completion percentage of 67.1%. His quarterback rating this season is 104. He averages 8.1 yards per pass attempt and 12 yards per completion.
Defensive Statistics
New England is 6th in the league in points allowed on defense with 274. They have surrendered a total of 5,283 yards on D, which is 29th in the NFL. The Patriots are ranked 29th in yards per play allowed with 5.9. Their pass defense has given up 6.5 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 21st in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 327 passes on 516 attempts against the New England defense this season, placing them 27th and 30th in the National Football League. The Patriots pass defense has also given up a total of 3,571 yards through the air, which is 29th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has allowed 347 attempts for 1,712 yards this year, putting them in 26th place in the league against the run. The New England Patriots have committed 98 penalties for 868 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 26th in the NFL. They've given up a score on 31.3% of possessions on defense, which is 6th in the league.
Special Teams Stats
New England is ranked 19th in the league in punt returns with 26. They've accumulated 220 punt return yards and average 8.5 yards per return, which is 18th in the NFL. Their longest punt return so far this year is 40 yards. They have returned 24 kicks for 572 yards on special teams, ranking 17th in kick return yardage. The Patriots average 23.8 yards per kick return and have a long of 103 yards this year. They are 3rd in the league in all-purpose yards with 6,541. The New England Patriots have attempted 36 field goals this season and made 33, which is 4th in the National Football League. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 91.7%. New England kickers have made 95% of their extra points, going 38 for 40 this year. Their punters have totaled 2,132 yards on 49 punts, averaging 43.5 yards per punt. That places them 27th in the NFL in punting average.
Who will win tonight's Bills/Patriots NFL game against the spread?
Guy's Pick: Take the Patriots -10
Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here
Read more articles by Guy Bruhn
Get all of this Weeks Free NFL picks
Get all of this Weeks Expert NFL Picks