Tom Brady and the New England Patriots welcome the Buffalo Bills into Gillette Stadium on New Year's Day in search of a win in the regular season finale at 1:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday at Foxborough, MA (TV/Radio: CBS/WBZ-FM 98.5 FM).
New England (12-3) would lock up the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC win a win. Buffalo (6-9), meanwhile, is out of the playoff picture and is looking to close out the season with a little momentum, having won its last game against Denver.
The Patriots and Bills met once earlier in the season, with Buffalo handing the Pats a surprising 34-31 loss in Week 3. Rian Lindell split the uprights on a 28-yard field goal as time expired to give the Bills the win. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 369 yards and two touchdowns while being intercepted twice. Brady threw for 387 yards, four scores and four picks.
New England has been on a roll, winning its last seven games -- most recently against the Miami Dolphins. Brady had 304 passing yards and one touchdown pass while rushing for two scores in a 27-24 win over the fish on Christmas Eve. Wes Welker had 12 catches for 138 yards and Stevan Ridley rushed for 64 yards on 13 carries for New England.
Brady suffered a sprained left shoulder during the game, but the injury appears to be minor and the Patriots' quarterback should be good to go heading into the playoffs. That's good news for Pats fans. No Brady, no chance.
Buffalo flattened Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos last weekend, with Fitzpatrick throwing for 196 yards in a 40-14 victory for the Bills. Steve Johnson had four catches for 92 yards and C.J. Spiller rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown.
Can the Pats clinch the AFC's top seed, or will the Bills spoil the party and sweep the season series? We'll know the answer in a matter of hours.
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