The Buffalo Bills‘ offense will be another tough challenge for the New England Patriots defense this week. Not only do they boast an MVP quarterback playing at an MVP level in Josh Allen, and an All-Pro running back in James Cook, but also three really good tight ends in Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, and Jackson Hawes.
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Yesterday, during his weekly press conference, Patriots defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr mentioned the Bills’ tight end group and how they impact the game.
“They have three really good tight ends that can do multiple things both in the run game and the pass game,” said Kuhr.
All three tight ends present a problem for New England’s defense. Once Buffalo goes 12 or 13 personnel, if the Patriots stay in base defense, New England’s more downhill linebackers, Robert Spillane and Christian Ellis, will be picked apart by Josh Allen. Conversely, if New England opts to match personnel with a nickel or dime look, James Cook and the running game will have a field day against smaller defensive backs.
Last week against the Jaguars, New England only gave up three receptions for 32 yards to tight end Brenton Strange, but got torn apart in the run game as Jacksonville went 12 personnel for 30% of their offensive snaps and ripped off 137 yards and two touchdowns.
After last week’s disastrous 35-6 loss, Zak Kuhr and the run defense will be tested once again, except this time New England will have to account for Buffalo’s three pass-catching tight ends.
Buffalo’s three tight ends play a huge role in the offense, and Zak Kuhr will need to mix up his defensive looks to try to minimize their impact on Sunday.
