Having dropped four consecutive games and eleven overall this season, the New England Patriots are set to face their toughest test yet on Sunday. They’ll take on the 11-3 Buffalo Bills on the road, and head coach Jerod Mayo’s squad will need to deliver their best performance to remain competitive.
To achieve this, the Patriots will depend on the following key players.
Patriots game day roster: Week 16 vs. Bills
Quarterback (2): Drake Maye (10), Jacoby Brissett (7)
Running Back (3): Rhamondre Stevenson (38), Antonio Gibson (4 | KR), Terrell Jennings (26)
Wide Receiver (6): Kayshon Boutte (9), DeMario Douglas (3), Kendrick Bourne (84), Ja’Lynn Polk (1), Javon Baker (6), Alex Erickson (14 | PR | PS elevation)
Tight End (3): Hunter Henry (85), Austin Hooper (81), Jaheim Bell (88)
Offensive Tackle (3): Vederian Lowe (59 | LT), Demontrey Jacobs (75 | RT), Sidy Sow (62)
Interior Offensive Line (5): Layden Robinson (63 | LG), Ben Brown (77 | C), Michael Onwenu (71 | RG), Cole Strange (69), Lester Cotton (61)
Interior Defensive Line (6): Davon Godchaux (92), Keion White (99), Daniel Ekuale (95), Deatrich Wise Jr. (91), Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (98), Eric Johnson (96)
Defensive Edge (3): Anfernee Jennings (33), Yannick Ngakoue (55), Titus Leo (97 | PS elevation)
Linebacker (4): Jahlani Tavai (48), Christian Elliss (53), Sione Takitaki (16), Monty Rice (45)
Cornerback (5): Christian Gonzalez (0), Jonathan Jones (31), Alex Austin (28), Marcellas Dial Jr. (27), Isaiah Bolden (29)
Safety (5): Kyle Dugger (23), Marte Mapu (15), Jaylinn Hawkins (21), Dell Pettus (24), Brenden Schooler (41)
Specialists (3): Joey Slye (13 | K), Bryce Baringer (17 | P | H), Joe Cardona (49 | LS)
The Patriots secondary faces a challenge against one of the league’s top offenses, especially with key absences. While Kyle Dugger has been cleared after dealing with an ankle injury and illness, both Marcus Jones (hip) and Jabrill Peppers (hamstring) are unavailable.
To adapt, the cornerback trio will likely include Christian Gonzalez and Alex Austin on the outside, with Jonathan Jones covering the slot. At safety, Marte Mapu returns to the lineup after being a healthy scratch for two consecutive games.
Marcus Jones’ absence also leaves a gap in punt returns, which will be handled by Alex Erickson, elevated from the practice squad on Saturday.
On the offensive line, a shakeup could be on the horizon with Cole Strange set to make his season debut. He might replace either left guard Layden Robinson (less likely) or center Ben Brown (more likely) during the game, either as a starter or part of a planned rotation.
Patriots reserves
Inactives (6):
RB JaMycal Hasty, CB Marcus Jones, QB Joe Milton III, S Jabrill Peppers, OL Tyrese Robinson, OL Lecitus Smith
Practice Squad (13):
RB Kevin Harris, CB D.J. James, OT Caleb Jones, S Mark Perry, TE Mitchell Wilcox, TE Jack Westover, WR John Jiles, DT Marcus Harris, CB Miles Battle, WR Braylon Sanders, LB Andrew Parker Jr., DE Truman Jones, K John Parker Romo
Practice Squad International (1):
ED Jotham Russell
Reserve/Left Squad (1):
OT Chukwuma Okorafor
Injured Reserve (8):
OL Jake Andrews, WR JaQuae Jackson, ED Oshane Ximines, LB Ja’Whaun Bentley, C David Andrews, OT Caedan Wallace (IR-R), LB Curtis Jacobs, DT Jaquelin Roy
The Patriots’ reserve lists remained mostly unchanged this week, with the notable exceptions being Marcus Jones and Jabrill Peppers, who were declared inactive for the game.
New England will face the Bills in Week 16, with kickoff scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY.
