The New England Patriots are coming off a dominant display against the Carolina Panthers, but they are still listed as big underdogs for their Week 5 battle with the Buffalo Bills. According to the oddsmakers,
the team of head coach Mike Vrabel is seen as an 8.5-point road underdog on Sunday night.
However, most of the Patriots fans participating in the latest SB Nation Reacts survey think that the game will be closer than that. While only 31% predict the team to actually pull off the upset, 38% believe the contest will be a one-score affair in Buffalo’s favor — a point of view also reflected by the comment section.
Sweaty-Man-Boobs
I believe they can but with several caveats.
1.) Absolutely no turnovers
2.) Strong efficient running game, keep Josh Allen on the bench.
3.) Patriots offense converts 3rd downs.
4.) Defense can force a few turnovers.Teru Teru
They can. I think they can have a close game until 4th quarter. If Maye can arrange a TD drive in the last drive, we can make a comeback win. I would say there is 15% chance (similar to the betting odds).Mosi_Tatupu
Sure the Patriots could win, cannot start out by giving a 1st drive TD on D and going 3 and out on O like they have been. Got to try to put up 30+ points.JCRpatsfan
Maybe if Josh Allen is taken by space aliens. But there’s a good chance he would escape for a touchdown right when the aliens thought they had him.kwizzer
I’m a sucker… sure they can win!
This is actually a great game for us. If we lose – hey, it was expected. If we win, we’re great! Either way, the Bills are a good yardstick to measure how good (or bad) we are.7i165
They can’t yet. But they can fight and show they are not so far. Leaving Buffalo with a L if it s good fight and we show improvement and promises is not bad. I d like a <10 points difference and no turnovers on our side.
All in all, this week’s survey results look as follows:
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Even though a majority of Patriots fans see a loss coming on Sunday that would drop the team to 2-3 on the year, fan confidence is at its highest point so far this season. Following last week’s 42-13 win over the Panthers, 92% of survey participants claimed that they would be confident in the team’s direction.
That can also be seen in the results to our win projection for the month of October. More than half of all participants believe New England will go 3-1, which suggests that the club will hit a three-game win streak after its projected loss in Buffalo. Looking at the opponents — New Orleans, Tennessee, Cleveland — that does indeed seem like a realistic prediction.
First, however, the Bills. Kickoff at Highmark Stadium is set for 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday.
