Buffalo hosts New England on Sunday Night Football in Week 5, chasing a 5-0 start behind Josh Allen as the Bills ride a 404-yard, 33.3-point offense into a high-profile showdown. New England counters with Drake Maye at QB, a revitalized pass defense led by Christian Gonzalez, and a mix of Stevenson and Henderson in the backfield that could test Buffalo’s rushes. Buffalo has won four straight at Highmark against the Patriots, making this a seat-tilt game for fantasy managers.

With a 49.5-point total—the highest of Week 5—the matchup carries heavy fantasy upside for Allen and Maye, plus path-specific value for the Patriots’ backfield and NE’s young secondary. The SportsLine projection leans toward the over and flags a near-70% edge on one side of the spread in its top-rated picks, offering a structured lens for dfs and betting bets this Sunday night.

Buffalo aims to keep its perfect start intact as it hosts New England on Sunday Night Football, a clash that pits a high-flying Bills offense against a Patriots defense showing signs of life. Kickoff is 8:20 p.m. ET at Highmark Stadium, with Buffalo installed as an 8.5-point favorite and a 49.5 over/under. The betting market highlights Buffalo’s home dominance and the Patriots’ improving defense, setting the stage for a critical early-season division showdown.

SportsLine’s projection model leans toward an over and a spread edge, underscoring a chalky yet sharp playbook: Buffalo’s offense powers a 404-yard, 33.3-point per game average, while New England brings a more balanced attack led by Drake Maye. Factor in the Patriots’ pass defense upgrade with Christian Gonzalez and the Patriots’ 77.5-yard rushing defense against a Bills rushing attack that must prove it can beat a stout run defense. The matchup doubles as a fantasy pivot, with Allen’s track record against New England and Maye’s Week 4 momentum shaping lineups.

Fantasy and betting angles hinge on pace, play-calling, and game script. Buffalo’s home-stretch leverage and NE’s potential for a back-and-forth shootout create avenues for multiple fantasy routes, from Allen’s efficiency to Patriots pass-catchers’ upside in a high-total contest.

Buffalo visits New England in Week 5's Sunday Night Football, carrying a 7.5-point spread after three straight double-digit wins while the Bills lead the league in points per drive and explosive plays. New England, 2-2 after a 42-13 win over Carolina, leans on Drake Maye's dual threat and a rising receiving corps led by Dalton Kincaid. The Bills' pressure should test Maye, while NE looks to stay connected with efficient run-pass balance. Expect a high-scoring, tight clash with Buffalo likely controlling the pace if its pressure stays on Maye.

The New England Patriots list four players as questionable for Week 5 against the Bills: Milton Williams, Carlton Davis, K’Lavon Chaisson, and Jahlani Tavai. If Williams cannot go, Cory Durden would likely start inside, a move that could slightly curb the interior pressure drop. New England’s front has surged this season, now pressuring at a league-average clip (35.5%), with Christian Barmore, Williams, and a reworked scheme spearheading the effort. Tavai’s calf injury casts a shadow over the back‑seven’s depth and the activation window looms large, while Davis and Gonzalez anchor a renewed perimeter curb. Buffalo looms large, with Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid as key mismatch points for the Pats’ coverage.

The Week 5 status compounds a game that could hinge on the Pats’ ability to sustain pressure and disrupt Buffalo’s timing. If Williams plays, the Patriots’ front could tilt toward more disruptiveness and quicker QB harass. Davis’ return adds matchup flexibility against Bills receivers, while Chaisson’s availability directly affects edge rush tempo. With Tavai’s activation window uncertain, New England will need to balance upside with roster risk as they chase a pivotal division win.