Morning Sports Update
“Their defense is struggling right now, so I think it’s dangerous.”
The Patriots, the Bills, and the impact of Stefon Diggs: The Patriots travel to Buffalo to face the division rival Bills in a primetime matchup on Sunday.
The defending division champion Bills — Buffalo has won the AFC East each of the last six seasons — are once again off to a strong start at 4-0. The Patriots, in contrast, are potentially only beginning to form a new identity at 2-2 under newly-appointed head coach Mike Vrabel. Despite those differing circumstances, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky led an “NFL Live” segment on Wednesday with a bold take.
“First of all, I think this is a very dangerous game for the Bills,” Orlovsky declared. “Their defense is struggling right now, so I think it’s dangerous.”
The Bills’ defense currently ranks 17th in the NFL in points allowed per game (22.5). Of course, the mid-level stats of Buffalo’s defense have so far been offset by the prolific pace of its offense (second in the league, averaging 33.3 points per game).
Orlovsky went further into the pregame discussion, focusing on the Patriots’ burgeoning offensive setup.
“Really impressed with Josh McDaniels and the sequencing of their plays,” Orlovsky said of the Patriots’ offensive coordinator.
He also singled out New England’s leading receiver, Stefon Diggs.
“The passing game, [Stefon] looks like [Stefon],” said Orlovsky. “I’ve been very impressed with [Diggs], and I think his feel of [being] where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there is a big deal.”
Reviewing sequences from the Patriots’ Week 4 rout of the Panthers — in which Diggs tallied a season-high six catches for 101 yards — the ESPN analysts praised the 31-year-old wideout’s presence in helping second-year quarterback Drake Maye gain more confidence running the offense.
“That’s what a veteran receiver gives you,” said former NFL wide receiver (and ESPN analyst) Andrew Hawkins. “[Diggs] gives you that evolution, that maturation. Very similar to what we saw from Josh Allen when Diggs went [to Buffalo].”
Orlovsky noted that on a simple level, Diggs’ football IQ and consistency has helped elevate Maye’s play.
“I just think we so often get caught up with the physical abilities of guys, we forget how important it is for the quarterback dropping back and expecting you to be somewhere, and you’re there all the time,” he said.
When questioned if his bold prediction would be brought back up on the show next week, Orlovsky closed with a joking reply.
“Only if they win.”
Trivia: Along with being division rivals, the Patriots and Bills have had a lot of player crossover through the decades. One running back in particular is the Patriots’ 13th all-time leading rusher, as well as the Bills’ 14th all-time rusher. Can you name him?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He played in Buffalo first before signing with the Patriots in 2001 (where he achieved a career year helping New England win Super Bowl XXXVI).
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox lost to the Yankees 4-3 on Wednesday in the second game of the two teams’ wild-card series. Now even at 1-1, the best-of-three series heads for a decisive game on Thursday at Yankee Stadium at 6:08 p.m.
On Saturday, the Revolution travel to play Lionel Messi and Inter Miami at 7:30 p.m.
On Sunday, the Patriots head to Buffalo to play the Bills at 8:20 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
A pitch tracking record: Padres reliever Mason Miller struck out Carson Kelly of the Cubs with a 104.5 mph fastball on Wednesday, setting a new record for pitch velocity in the postseason (since pitch tracking started in 2008).
Rookie dominance: The Patriots shared a highlight from rookie left tackle Will Campbell’s performance in the win over the Panthers.
On this day: In 1994, the Patriots defeated the Packers 17-16 thanks to a 33-yard field goal from Matt Bahr with four seconds remaining.
Daily highlight: Juventus center-back Federico Gatti scored a sublime bicycle kick in the eventual 2-2 draw against Villareal in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Trivia answer: Antowain Smith
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