Finding Meaning In a Meaningless Bills-Patriots Affair

The New England Patriots haven’t played a meaningless game since Aug. 28, a 16-13 preseason loss to the New York Giants, a game highlighted by a 33-yard touchdown pass from Jimmy Garoppolo to Aaron Dobson in the second quarter.

Kenbrell Thompkins caught five balls for 46 yards in that contest. James White led he way on the ground with 29 rushing yards. Roy Finch and Steve Maneri made cameo appearances.

Sunday’s affair will look differently personnel-wise, but the endgame isn’t much different than the final game of the preseason, where the goals are to simply not get anybody injured, while keeping some semblance of rhythm established with your starters.

And so, this is how the Buffalo Bills can finally snap a 13-game losing streak to the Patriots in Foxborough, by facing a team heavy on backups after the playoff-bound starters get some work in, then depart before halftime. In that regard, is it indeed, meaningless for them?

Maybe there’s a bit of pride in a burgeoning defense that became one of the NFL’s best this season in knowing they finally beat the Pats at Gillette Stadium, a nugget of truth they can take into next season. Maybe.

Either way, it promises to be an ugly affair, with both teams having nothing to gain. The Patriots already have home-field advantage, the Bills are already heading home.

The last time it was like this, Jeremy Gallon was a short-lived member of the Patriots.

“Merry Christmas. Here are two tickets to Sunday’s game.”

That’s some modern day coal in your stocking right there.

The picks

Our roundup of nationwide picks for Sunday’s Patriots-Bills game.

ESPN.com staff: Everybody except Chris Mortensen picks the Patriots.

Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com: Patriots 27, Bills 23. “The Patriots and Bills aren’t playing for anything here with the Bills eliminated and the Patriots locked in for the No. 1 seed. It will be interesting to see how the Patriots play this. I think the starters will play at least a half. The Buffalo defense is tough and they will keep this game close — no matter who plays for the Patriots.”

CBSSports.com staff: Seven out of eight pick the Bills (New England by 10 ½).

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Patriots 27, Bills 10. “It’s a meaningless game. But a win could have a meaningful impact on coach Doug Marrone’s potentially tenuous future in Buffalo. Unfortunately for Marrone and the Bills, the Patriots aren’t treating it like a meaningless game.”

Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk: Patriots 17, Bills 13. “The Bills’ excellent defense will keep this one close, but the Patriots will prevail and head to the playoffs on a high note.”

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Patriots 27, Bills 13. “It’s admirable the Bills will finish at least .500 for the first time in 10 seasons. But they’re still far away from both being a playoff team and being able to challenge the Patriots for the AFC East title. Doug Marrone did his best with Kyle Orton, but Buffalo’s eight wins happened more because of the defense. Tom Brady and New England’s offense will get off to a fast start, and get some deserved rest as the No. 1 seed.”

David Steele, Sporting News: Patriots 33, Bills 14. “This game should have meaning for the Bills, but they let the Raiders beat them, and that’s that. One of the many teams with offseason coaching and management intrigue, because of new ownership. Plus, even if the Patriots rest everybody, they won’t rest them enough to lose at home going into the playoffs.”

Elliot Harrison, NFL.com: Patriots 28, Bills 17. “For some reason, it feels like Ortonmania has died down a bit. Is it worth giving EJ Manuel a start, if for no other reason than seeing what the kid has? Well, Doug Marrone doesn’t think so — the Bills coach says he has no intention of playing the youngster in the finale. I can’t blame him here. After all, 9-7, in theory, looks better on a résumé than .500. Speaking of Monster.com, the last time these two teams met was the first time the Bills kept Rob Gronkowski out of the end zone. Prior to that Week 6 affair, Gronk had piled up nine scores in six games against Buffalo. I think he could have another big day in Week 17. However, the Pats need to run the ball to keep Tom Brady upright … for the playoffs.”

Boston Globe staff: Three out of five pick the Bills (New England by 10 1/2).

It says here: Patriots 14, Bills 6. But in a year, these games probably matter.