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New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills Live odds & Predictions
New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills Live football bettting odds: Although turmoil and controversy continue to surround the New England Patriots, they managed to avoid a third straight loss and maintain control of the AFC East for another week.
Next on their agenda, they hope, is finally earning their first true road win of 2009.
There's probably no opponent the Patriots would rather visit than the Buffalo Bills, losers of 12 straight overall to the Patriots and trying to avoid clinching their fifth straight losing season Sunday.
New England (8-5) spent last week fielding questions about a defense that had struggled in back-to-back defeats and four players who had been sent home from practice after showing up late for a team meeting.
Despite those distractions, the Patriots beat Carolina 20-10 to keep a one-game lead over both Miami and the New York Jets as they try to reclaim the division they won five straight times from 2003-07.
"On every NFL team you have times during the season or weeks like that where it's a little more difficult," cornerback Shawn Springs said. "We found a way to put all that in our rearview mirror."
Not that all the Patriots' problems have been solved. Linebacker Adalius Thomas, one of the players disciplined by coach Bill Belichick last week, was benched following his public retort to the coach.
Randy Moss, another one who was disciplined, fumbled away his only catch against the Panthers. The veteran wideout, who has just six receptions in the last three games, had his effort questioned by Carolina defensive backs Chris Gamble and Chris Harris.
Belichick defended his explosive playmaker, who has 43 touchdown receptions since joining the Patriots in 2007.
"I have a lot of respect for Randy. I think he's one of our best players," Belichick said. "If you watch other teams defend him, watch other teams play against him, they think the same way, other than these two guys from Carolina after they lost another game. I guess they don't think that way, but they haven't won a lot of games now."
Tom Brady again relied heavily on Wes Welker, who had 10 of his league-leading 105 catches against the Panthers. Brady played through finger, rib and shoulder injuries that have cost him practice time again this week, but he is expected to play against Buffalo. For information see the Sportsbook Online.
New England may be without perhaps its most important player on defense, however, after standout nose tackle Vince Wilfork left Sunday's game with a foot injury. His status is unclear, as is that of fellow defensive lineman Ty Warren, who hurt his ankle against the Panthers.
Modest improvement has resulted, as the Bills have won two of their last three games.
They racked up 200 rushing yards and held a fourth straight opponent under 20 points in a 16-10 win at Kansas City on Sunday, but beating the Patriots would make a much bigger statement in support of Fewell as a potential coach beyond this season.
"It would be a tremendous boost," said Fewell, the defensive coordinator the previous three seasons. "Unfortunately, since I've been here, we haven't beaten them, so if we can do that, accomplish that, that would be a great Christmas present."
The Bills claimed controversial guard Richie Incognito off waivers from St. Louis on Wednesday as they attempt to bolster an injury-depleted offensive line.
While their defense leads the NFL with 25 interceptions -- including nine by rookie Jairus Byrd -- Buffalo ranks last in the league against the run, allowing 170.5 yards per game.
New England effectively used the run to beat the Panthers, who rank 26th in that category, as Laurence Maroney totaled 94 of the Patriots' 185 yards on the ground.
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