New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills: Mac Jones, Stefon Diggs Among '3 to Watch'

As the New England Patriots prepare to take on the Buffalo Bills in Week 7, Patriots Country highlights three players on whom Pats fans might want to keep watch.

FOXBORO — The New England Patriots (1-5) face a daunting task in attempting to snap a three-game losing streak against the defending AFC East champions. However, they will do so when hosting the Buffalo Bills (4-2) in Week 7 of the 2023 NFL season. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

The Pats enter this matchup hoping to rebound from their 21-17 defeat at the hands of the Las Vegas Raiders. Conversely, the Bills are fresh off a 14-9 victory over the New York Giants last Sunday night. 

Though many Patriots players are expected to garner some attention during Sunday’s matchup. Here is a look at three players that might raise an eyebrow when the Pats take the field against the Bills.

Mac Jones

While Jones’ season has been much maligned, a strong performance against Buffalo on Sunday would go a long way towards redeeming his evaluation. The 25-year-old has had his share of difficulty against the Bills' defense. Though Buffalo’s safeties and corners have not typically been active in pass rushing Jones, it is likely that coach Sean McDermott will attempt to dial-up some strategically placed blitzes from the second and third level of the defense in hopes of confusing him. When under pressure, the Pats starter is typically less accurate. 

Still, Buffalo would be smart to also utilize their perimeter corners to take away his preferred routes and targets. Their task will be more difficult with cornerback Tre’Davious White (who is still among the best in the league at doing so) on season-ending injured reserve. As such, cornerbacks Taron Johnson and Christian Benford should provide some help for the Bills' safety tandem of Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. In order for Jones to neutralize Buffalo’s linebackers and secondary, he would be smart to lean on the running game early to help facilitate play action passes. Despite Bill O'Brien's penchant for two-tight-end sets, Jones and the Pats offense may want to mix in some 11-personnel (one running back, one tight end, three receivers) and utilize the intermediate areas of the field to advance the ball.

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones :: Cred: AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

Demario 'Pop' Douglas

The collective eyes of Patriots Nation will be on Douglas on Sunday. While it is possible that Douglas remains sidelined for an additional week, he would be among the Pats most intriguing players on offense, should he see the field. In five games played, New England's rookie playmaker has caught 10 of his 17 targets for 143 yards. Though he missed New England's Week 6 loss to the Raiders while in concussion protocol, the Patriots' coaching staff must recognize that Douglas' shiftiness and speed make him one of the most explosive playmakers on the roster. As such, he is expected to see a dramatic increase in his snaps and targets. 

Despite his 5-8, 180-pound frame, the Liberty product is most effective out of the slot in short yardage. In order to compensate for the usual height differential with his opponent, he has developed a knack of anticipating defenders attacking him — a strategy which has served him well to date. However, he also has the skill set to evades tacklers when he has the ball in his hands in open space. As a result, Douglas’ acceleration and speed may be essential to helping Mac Jones and the Pats offense put the Bills on their heels early —especially if their defense mistakenly plays him in soft coverage.

Stefon Diggs

For those furrowing their brows seeing Diggs’ name among this trio, rest assured that Diggs is still a member of the Buffalo Bills. However, he is the player most likely to affect New England’s defensive game plan. Since joining the Bills in 2020, Diggs has compiled 40 catches for 569 yards and scored six touchdowns in regular season games against the Patriots. He also caught three passes for 60 yards in New England’s lone playoff loss in January 2022. Diggs' impeccable route-running and field awareness frequently leads to big plays. In Week 13 last season, New England erred by failing to properly game plan against Diggs. Despite splitting their schemes between zone and man coverage, New England’s man patterns were designed to cut-off former Bills' slot receiver Isaish McKenzie from working across the field. In fact, they did so to the detriment of providing adequate help on Diggs. The Bills’ top wideout easily beat Patriots perimeter cornerback Jonathan Jones one-on-one in man coverage for a touchdown from quarterback Josh Allen in the second quarter. 

With J.C. Jackson back in the Foxboro fold, he is likely to draw some man coverage against Diggs due to his speed. However, the Pats would be better served by utilizing safety help over the top, meaning a blend of strong siders Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers and Adrian Phillips. Peppers physical style should help to jam Diggs at the line of scrimmage. With Allen’s penchant to seek Diggs as his primary target, any delay may facilitate the Pats pass rush to pressure Buffalo’s star quarterback. New England's defense has not allowed a player to put up more than 100 receiving yards in a game this season. Diggs will put that to the test in Week 7.