Bills @ Patriots

[BLUE 1,026]

By JEFF BARTL

STATS Senior Writer

(AP) -- The New England Patriots have Super Bowl aspirations every season, and clinching the top seed in the AFC playoffs is simply an expectation fulfilled as they pursue their ultimate goal.

 

They aren't looking past Sunday's matchup with Buffalo, though, as the Bills look to end a 13-game losing streak in Foxborough.

 

New England (12-3) did its part by surviving with a 17-16 victory at the New York Jets last week, and it wrapped up home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs when Cincinnati beat Denver on Monday night.

 

Tom Brady, who threw for 182 yards, a touchdown and an interception against the Jets, believes the extra week off will be beneficial as he looks to guide the Patriots to their first Super Bowl title since the 2004 season.

 

That's not on his mind just yet, though.

 

"There is plenty of time to think about things down the road," Brady said. "This isn't the time for it. We've got to go play well this week. That is the attitude and that is what all the leaders of the team have to make sure everyone is on the same page."

 

Coach Bill Belichick isn't celebrating New England's No. 1 seed but rather focusing on how his team can improve after a lackluster performance against the Jets. The Patriots finished with a season-worst 231 total yards.

 

"I don't think (home-field advantage) really has a big effect on what we've been doing. (We'll) just keep getting ready for Buffalo," Belichick said. "That's what our challenge is. What our position is, it is, but that will all take care of itself in due course. It doesn't really have anything to do with right now."

 

With nothing on the line in terms of postseason positioning this week, Belichick said he'll "do whatever is best for the team" when it comes to resting some of his regulars. Reports have surfaced that tight end Rob Gronkowski could rest, and it's unclear if receiver Julian Edelman, offensive lineman Dan Connolly or running back LeGarrette Blount will play after each sat out last week with injuries.

 

"With the (first-round bye), you realize we're going to have a little time to rest up," Brady said. "We just want to go out and play well and see if we can string together as many good plays as possible.

 

"(The Bills') defense will challenge you. They've got a good front, one of the best defenses in the league, one of the best defenses we've faced all year."

 

Brady picked it apart in the first meeting, though, throwing for 361 yards and four touchdowns - two to Brandon LaFell - in a 37-22 win Oct. 12. It marked the Patriots' 21st victory in the last 22 matchups with the Bills, who are playing for their first winning season since going 9-7 in 2004.

 

Buffalo (8-7) was eliminated from playoff contention for the 15th straight season with last week's 26-24 loss at Oakland, extending the longest active playoff drought in the NFL.

 

"It just breaks your heart," said Kyle Orton, who threw for 329 yards, three touchdowns and two picks. "It was all there. We just didn't have the execution. And in the end, it cost us."

 

Orton has started the last 11 games in place of second-year quarterback EJ Manuel, and coach Doug Marrone doesn't plan on making a change this week despite the playoffs being out of reach.

 

"The game means a lot to me. We're going to play the players that we feel give us the best chance to win," Marrone said. "That's just the way that I'm wired and that's my responsibility to the team. We all have a responsibility to each other and I have to make those decisions each week.

 

"Right now we still feel that (Orton) gives us the best chance to win in terms of efficiency, control, things of that nature than any other quarterback that we have."

 

Buffalo's defense likely will need to have a better performance than in the first meeting, when it allowed 396 total yards - its second-most of the season - and didn't force a turnover.

 

The Bills rely heavily on their imposing front line of tackles Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams and end Mario Williams, all of whom were selected to the Pro Bowl. Dareus, though, suffered a knee injury against the Raiders and is listed as doubtful. Stephon Gilmore, Buffalo's top cornerback, is also doubtful due to a concussion.

 

"We'll just keep progressing with it through the week," Marrone said. "I think it'll go all the way to the end (of the week to make a decision)."

 

Source: Hosted.Stats.com

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

The Bills declared CB Stephon Gilmore (concussion) and DT Marcell Dareus (knee) inactive for Week 17 against the Patriots.

Gilmore has proven to be a serviceable NFL corner, but he has not reached the heights expected when he was selected with the 10th overall pick of the 2012 draft. Owed just $2 million in 2015, Gilmore will certainly be back with the team.

The Bills also declared RB Bryce Brown, WR Marquise Goodwin, TE Chris Gragg, OT Cyrus Kouandjio and OLB Randell Johnson inactive for Week 17.

 

 

 

 

Julian Edelman (concussion) has been declared inactive for Week 17 against the Bills.

A Saturday report said any Patriot carrying even the slightest of injuries would be inactive in the meaningless season finale, so Edelman appears to be a victim of that policy. He got in limited practices this week and should be good to go following the Patriots first-round bye.

New England also declared TE Rob Gronkowski, RB Jonas Gray, OG Dan Connolly, OT Sebastian Vollmer, LB Donta Hightower and CB Brandon Browner inactive against the Bills.

[BradyFan81 404]

Love that Gronk gets 2 weeks off before the playoffs.

 

No Connolly or Vollmer though, don't want Brady in there long against the Bills pass rush. Hopefully we just treat this like a preseason game and get all the starters outta there after the 1st quarter.