FOXBORO, Mass. — The numbers are indicting.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has beaten the Bills 27 times in 30 games, an NFL record for a QB against one team. He also has more touchdown passes (66) against the Bills than any other opponent.
It gets worse.
Brady is 13-0 versus Buffalo at Gillette Stadium when he plays the whole game. The only asterisk came three years ago when the Pats’ playoff seeding was secure and coach Bill Belichick rested most of his starters and played his quarterback only a half in a 17-9 loss.
Now those two AFC East rivals meet Sunday afternoon on New England’s home field with plenty at stake for both teams.
The Patriots (11-3) have already claimed the division for the ninth straight time and 15th in the last 17 years. But, with a win Sunday, they would also tighten their hold on the conference’s No. 1 seed and homefield throughout the playoffs, for which Pittsburgh (11-3) is still alive.
For Buffalo (8-6), seeking to end a 17-year postseason drought, a win would enhance that bid heading into next Sunday’s season finale at Miami (6-8) as eight teams are bidding for four playoff spots (South and West Division titles and two wild cards).
And though New England is a 12 ½-point favorite, CBS-TV still sent its top announcing crew — Jim Nantz and Tony Romo — to call the game.
These two teams played three weeks ago at New Era Field, the Patriots prevailing, 23-3.
And while it was only a 9-3 game at intermission, Bills’ players ands coaches took no solace.
“We lost the game,” first-year coach Sean McDermott said. “It’s about winning football games, that’s what we’re here to do. We’re not here for moral victories.
“(Brady’s) a phenomenal player; the best ever … they’re the defending world champions. We did some good things in the (first) game, I don’t want to look past that. But, we’re here to win the game.”
To which quarterback Tyrod Taylor added of the initial meeting, “It was a lack of execution across the board. That starts with me. I didn’t play particularly well that game. (There are a) bunch of plays I’d like to have back. We were a few plays off just by assignments.
“Looking back at that film, there was definitely a lot that we had to learn. Guys, I believe, have cleaned up those mistakes and are ready to go back out there and compete again (Sunday).”
Of course, there was a rather emphatic sidebar to that loss for the Bills.
Pats tight end Rob Gronkowski, a Buffalo native, dove onto cornerback Tre’Davious White, who had intercepted a Brady pass.
White was already down when the 6-foot-6, 265-pound Pro Bowl TE hit him, causing a concussion.
Gronkowski was called for unsportsmanlike conduct and suspended a game without pay.
And while Gronk’s unnecessary hit was criticized by media, coaches and players alike, White pooh-poohed the idea of any retaliation.
“The whole incident wasn’t the way things should have been handled or how the game plays out or however the things after it happened played out,” he said. “It shouldn’t have been that way but it happened and I’ve moved on from it.”
McDermott was equally dismissive of any possible carryover.
“Any time we spend discussing that situation is wasted time and getting in our way of becoming a better football team,” he said. “We have a lot of respect for (Gronkowski) as a player. He’s certainly the best that I’ve been around at the position in 20-plus years in the NFL.
“You saw the results of the game the other day (9 catches for 168 yards in a 27-24 win at Pittsburgh).”
Taylor pointed out, “They’re a talented team, so you have to be prepared for different looks they’re going to show you. Playing them a couple weeks ago definitely gives you a better feeling just because we’ve seen them recently and know them.
“You definitely get pumped up for this game even more. This team has been at the top of the NFL for a while, so whenever you get a chance to play against what’s considered one of the best teams you take those opportunities very seriously. You try to pour all your time and effort into preparation and going out there and having a great game.”
To which center Eric Wood noted, “We’re definitely familiar with them personnel-wise. Schematically, they can always give you something different but we’ve seen a lot of their fronts. They’re always a challenge. You’ve got to play a sound game any time you play a team of their caliber.
“It’s a big game for us and obviously we have two big weeks ahead of us but it helps with the preparation. It gives you a little bit more excitement leading up to the game.”
And running back LeSean McCoy, who has been on a recent roll averaging 108 yards from scrimmage the last four games, three of which Buffalo has won, conceded, “It’s a big game for us … trying to get into the playoffs.
“With this game, get a win, control our own destiny … I like that approach. This is a team that we can beat. Sure, it’s tougher, it’s a hard task, but it’s doable. Miami beat them a couple of weeks ago (27-20 in Florida without Gronk).”
He added, “It’s big with the Patriots not only being a division game, but who they are and the success they have. Every game they play, guys are going to give them their best. You look forward to playing the best team in the league the last couple of years. It’s a challenge and everybody likes challenges.”
Veteran guard Richie Incognito concluded of Sunday’s game, “This is an especially important one because they’re so good. The Patriots have had our number for so long. It’d really be huge for us to go into their house, beat them, keep our hopes alive, keep winning and get to the playoffs.”
Bills fans couldn’t agree more.
