The Buffalo Bills will host the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on Sunday with an important win on the line. Come the end of the season, these early-year victories are handy.
For this AFC East battle between Joe Brady's Bills and Mike Vrabel's Patriots, it will be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference.
Here are Bills Wire's three key matchup to watch between the Bills vs. Patriots matchup in Week 4:
DL Deone Walker vs. OL Jared Wilson
Walker has been listed on the Bills' injury report for the first time this season with a quad injury. He has only been limited and it is expected he will play against the Patriots.
Will Walker's knock slow him even if he played? He will likely face Wilson, the Patriots' center, plenty of times. Pro Football Focus grades
him as the seventh-best player at his position so far in 2026.
CB Davison Igbinosun vs. WR Mack Hollins
It appears Igbinosun, a second-round rookie, will start for Buffalo's top cornerback in Christian Benford (foot) against the Patriots. Igbinosun has had positive signs and played well, but he's still a rookie. An opposing team is going to attack a rookie defensive back regardless of the situation.
WR Khalil Shakir vs. CB Marcus Jones
Shakir has had a slot start to the year with just eight catches on 15 targets for 94 yards. Could this be a breakout game? Quarterback Josh Allen might play a part in that.
Allen said that he and the offense needs to get Shakir involved more moving forward. Does that begin against the Patriots?
Jones, who PFF ranks as the 32nd best cornerback in the NFL, will have a say as he covered the slot position forthe Pats.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Bills vs. Patriots: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 4
