Patriots take aim at Bills to avenge only loss of season

Redskins (4-3) at Bengals (3-4)

8:30 a.m., from London, KTVT/11, NFL Network

Line: Bengals by 3

Washington’s four-game win streak came to a sudden halt last week when Detroit scored a go-ahead touchdown with 16 seconds to go. The Redskins are in the middle of an NFC East race in which one win separates the first- and fourth-place teams. Despite a losing record, Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton has impressed, posting a 100.7 passer rating and a career-high 67.5 completion percentage.

Chiefs (4-2) at Colts (3-4)

Noon, DirecTV/707

Line: Chiefs by 3

Kansas City ranks in the bottom half of the league in both offensive (347.7) and defensive (371.3) yards per game. To this point, their calling card has been an opportunistic defense that has forced 14 turnovers, fourth in the NFL. Indianapolis has been anything but boring, as six of their seven games have been decided by one possession.

Cardinals (3-3-1) at Panthers (1-5)

Noon, DirecTV/709

Line: Panthers by 3

Arizona and Carolina met in the NFC Championship game in January. That game likely feels like an eternity ago to these two teams that have yet to live up to 2016 expectations, or rise above .500 in the standings. The Panthers’ defense allows 29.3 points per game after yielding just 19.2 in 2015. The Cardinals, who put up just six points in a Sunday night tie with Seattle, hope to take advantage of a Carolina defense that has held opponents below 21 points only once.

Raiders (5-2) at Buccaneers (3-3)

Noon, DirecTV/708

Line: Oakland by 1

Oakland is off to its best start since 2001. However, the Raiders have averaged 314.5 yards over their past two games after averaging 391.6 in the first five. Tampa Bay is alive and well in the NFC South following two consecutive wins in which they turned the ball over just once. A win, coupled with an Atlanta loss, would put the Bucs atop the division.

Seahawks (4-1-1) at Saints (2-4)

Noon, DirecTV/711

Line: Seahawks by 2

Seattle remains atop the NFC West despite a 6-6 tie with Arizona. The Seahawks, led by a hobbled Russell Wilson, have scored 12 or fewer points three times this season. Late-game inefficiency continues to be the narrative for the Saints after turnovers and penalties sunk New Orleans against the Chiefs. The Saints have not won an NFC game outside their division since November 1, 2015.

Lions (4-3) at Texans (4-3)

Noon, KDFW/4

Line: Texans by 1

Detroit’s late comeback against Washington was the Lions’ third consecutive win. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has proven to be the team’s catalyst, throwing for 11 touchdowns and no interception in four wins. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Houston quarterback Brock Osweiler has hindered his team with more turnovers (9) than touchdowns (8) and a 5.7 yards per attempt average.

Patriots (6-1) at Bills (4-3)

Noon, KTVT/11

Line: Patriots by 6

New England travels to Buffalo in an attempt to atone for their only loss of the season. Unlike the last matchup, Tom Brady will be available. Brady has thrown eight touchdowns and no interceptions in his three-game return. Buffalo tailback LeSean McCoy is out with a hamstring injury. The Bills haven’t swept a season series against the Pats since 1999.

Jets (2-5) at Browns (0-7)

Noon, DirecTV/706

Line: Jets by 3

New York’s benching of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick lasted all of one quarter before a season-ending ACL injury to Geno Smith forced him back into action. The Jets have a chance to go on a run with six of their next seven opponents currently sitting under .500. Six Browns have thrown a pass for Cleveland, all with the same results. This week, the carousel likely returns to journeyman Josh McCown.

Chargers (3-4) at Broncos (5-2)

3:05 p.m., DirecTV/712

Line: Broncos by 4

Only 17 days have passed since these AFC West foes last met. San Diego took the first matchup 21-13. Philip Rivers has kept the Chargers in each game with grit and efficient play. After a two-game skid, Denver seemed to regain its mojo in an 18-point win over Houston. The Chargers have not beaten the Broncos twice in a season since 2010.

Packers (4-2) at Falcons (4-3)

3:25 p.m., KDFW/4

Line: Falcons by 3

Despite an easy win against Chicago, questions remain for a Green Bay offense whose two leading rushers last week were wide receivers. The lack of runners allowed Aaron Rodgers to complete 39 passes (career-high) in 56 attempts (second highest). A shootout could be looming against Atlanta who ranks second in passing yards (319.0) and second-to-last in passing yards allowed (294.3).

This story was originally published October 29, 2016 at 5:45 PM with the headline "Patriots take aim at Bills to avenge only loss of season."