Maroney carries Patriots to tight win

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Once again, it's not going to be pretty.

It's a simple fact: The Patriots aren't winning any style points in their games.

The same is going to happen this week at Buffalo. The Pats will do just enough -- they won't play great on offense, defense or special teams -- to improve to 9-5.

Buffalo, with Ryan Fitzpatrick leading the charge at QB, shouldn't scare anyone. But with Terrell Owens and Lee Evans on the outside, they still need to be accounted for because they can strike for the occasional big play. But what worries me most is the running game with Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch.

If the weather is bad (snow, cold, blustery winds), which it usually is in December in Buffalo, expect the Bills to run and run some more to keep the Patriots' offense off the field. The defensive line, which must have Vince Wilfork play, needs to clog lanes to frustrate the Bills. If they can -- and they should be able to -- then it's going to be hard for the Bills' passing game to really catch fire since they won't be able to run and set up play-action.

As for the Patriots' offense, which hasn't been good at all (insert reasons why because there's plenty), they must get back to playing December football. December football is based on running the football.

Expect Laurence Maroney to carry the load again this week. The Bills can't stop the run (they allow an average of 170.5 yards per game) so watch the Pats pounds away at the Bills.

Tom Brady and the passing game better be careful with the football because Buffalo can intercept the ball (they have 25 INTs), so expect to see high -percentage passes (short, quick patterns) to Wes Welker and then more running with Maroney.

Randy Moss hasn't been a factor in the passing game for weeks (he has 6 catches in last 3 weeks) and don't bank on Moss tearing up the Bills tomorrow. Moss might command extra attention because the Bills don't want to give up the long bomb, but they'd rather the Pats dink and dunk the ball down the field, which gives them more plays to create a turnover.

The Pats have too many weapons on offense -- yes Maroney is the key this week -- and they will do just enough to turn away the Bills.

Chad's Take: Maroney rushes for over 100 yards, Brady protects the football and finds Welker like he always does, and the defense stops Jackson and Lynch from running wild to get a closer-than-expected win.

Prediction: Patriots 20-13