Patriots, Bills prepare for AFC East clash

Tony Santorsa, also at Pats Pulpit, was no more forgiving of the team’s effort in his more detailed breakdown of the game, saying they were “very fortunate that they won the game” after playing down to a lesser opponent. The biggest culprit was the defense, calling out the Pats’ front seven for their performance against the run but considering the main concern the play of the secondary:

According to OddsShark, as many as seven outlets were giving the Bills 13.5 points or more. A Patriots’ defense that allowed almost 500 yards was the difference. With five receivers finishing with 50 yards or more, and both running backs gaining over 70 yards.

The Bills outscored the Patriots in the second quarter and the second half, but the Patriots held on to improve to 6-3 this season. The Bills dropped to 3-6.

The interception was Fitzpatrick’s only mistake of the game. The Harvard graduate ripped apart New England’s secondary, completing 27 of 40 passes for 337 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Mankins is considered one of the toughest players in the NFL. Last season, Mankins tore his ACL in September and did not miss a single game, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Mankins, 30, is a four-time Pro Bowler. In his eight-year career, Mankins has started 109 games -- including all 16 in his rookie season in 2005.

Gronkowski has a prime matchup this week, going up against a Bills secondary that has given up 16 passing touchdowns on the season.

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Without further adieu, the inactives for Sunday:

The only two players of significance missing for New England are of course Hernandez and Chung. Hernandez, a true star at his position, is the bigger loss, but with such a thin secondary, Chung’s absence will also be felt.

Hernandez has 17 catches for 143 yards in four games.

Too bad for Hernandez owners, as the Bills are the 31st-ranked defense in the NFL.

Hernandez was able to practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week, which created some optimism for Sunday’s status. He was still listed as questionable heading into the weekend, however, and on Saturday NFL.com reported that the tight end would likely sit.

Fantasy Impact: Hernandez’s fantasy value will be zero this week, so be sure to get him out of your lineup and get started on finding a suitable replacement. The good news is that the Patriots are playing the early slate of games, so there should be plenty of options still available.

One of those games was a Week 4 contest with the Bills. Buffalo ended up losing that game badly, 52-28.

Pacing the division as the only team in the AFC East with a winning record, the Patriots (5-3) aim to repeat their early season victory over Buffalo (3-5) in Buffalo, a 52-28 offensive gashing of the Bills’ defense.

Sunday, Nov. 11, 1 p.m. ET