SPORTS

The undefeated Patriots and Bills will face off this NFL Sunday

Sep 29, 2019, 10:07 AM

When games finish on Monday night, we'll already be a quarter of the way through the NFL season. Wi...

When games finish on Monday night, we'll already be a quarter of the way through the NFL season. With eight teams still undefeated, week four will be instrumental in determining the favorites to play in Super Bowl LIV in Miami Gardens, Florida in February. Photo courtesy of CNN

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts(CNN) — When games finish on Monday night, we’ll already be a quarter of the way through the NFL season. With eight teams still undefeated, week four will be instrumental in determining the favorites to play in Super Bowl LIV in Miami Gardens, Florida in February.

With an action-packed Sunday coming up, here are three things to watch for:

1. Undefeated Patriots take on Undefeated Bills

The New England Patriots 2007 run during the regular season is only second to the gold standard set by the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins. However, it’s been tough road for coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, who’ve opened the season with four straight victories. If they defeat the Bills on Sunday, it’ll be only the fourth time the Patriots have opened the year 4-0 in the era of Belichick and Brady, and the first time since 2015.

For his part, Brady isn’t overlooking the Buffalo Bills. “They play well at home, it’s a great environment, so it’s pretty tough…this is going to be the toughest team we’ve faced, and we’re going to have to play a good game,” he said at his mid-week press conference on Wednesday.

On the other side of the ball, the Bills are having their best start since 2011. That’s not saying much, as those 3-0 Bills ended last season with a mediocre record of 6-10.

But third-year coach Sean McDermott is looking for at least a repeat of the 2017 season, which saw Buffalo’s first playoff game since 1999. But a 6-10 record last year’s performance left a bad taste in fans’ mouths, that is, until second-year quarterback Josh Allen helped pilot this year’s team to three straight victories.

Allen credits a stingy defense, one that is fifth in points per game allowed, for the early season success. “They (the defense) have been playing lights-out the past few games….we appreciate how hard they work and we have to be good on our end too,” he said at a press conference earlier this week.

Whatever is driving these wins, fans are here for it.

Watch: New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills: 1:00 pm ET on CBS

2. Rookie quarterbacks are back in action

Daniel Jones took over for Eli Manning in week three, and immediately led the New York Giants to a thrilling 32-31 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since last Sunday’s two-touchdown performance, his personalized jerseys sales spiked, according to NFL apparel provider Fanatics.

It’s a tough look for Super Bowl champion Manning. But he still has one fan: Jones. CBS Sports’ Brandon Tierney tweeted a photo of a much-younger Jones rocking Eli’s jersey.

Jones isn’t the only rookie taking the league by storm. Gardner Minshew, the mustachioed quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars jumped into the spotlight after replacing Nick Foles.

His legend and mustache continue to grow. Last week, he told the NFL that his facial hair started as a “silly thing” at camp in Washington State. “Everybody quit on me, so I said ‘screw y’all I’m doing this longer than everybody’ and here we are.”

The inevitable social media storm followed, and now the Minshew stache has its own hashtag, t-shirt and more.

Minshew’s reputation as a gun-slinging, wild man was furthered this week by meeting up with John Gries, the actor who played “Uncle Rico” in “Napoleon Dynamite.” Not only do the two resemble each other, but Rico’s claim in the movie that he could throw a football over a mountain definitely fits with the odd stories of the former Washington State signal-caller.

Watch: New York Giants vs Washington Redskins: 1:00 pm ET on Fox

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Denver Broncos: 4:25 pm ET on CBS

3. Kickers take aim

The much-maligned position of NFL kicker came under public scrutiny last season after former-Chicago Bear Cody Parkey’s missed kick — aka “Double Doink” — heard round the world. It hasn’t been much easier for kickers this season either.

Indianapolis Colts Adam Vinateri, one of the greatest kickers in the history of the league, saw his leg elude him in the opening two games of the season. But at least Vinateri wasn’t faced with an ad in the paper highlighting his miscues. That’s what happened to Tampa Bay kicker Matt Gay, whose missed kick allowed Daniel Jones his first win as a Giant. Following the game, Secret underarm deodorant placed an advertisement in the Tampa Bay Times mocking the Buccaneers for their field goal failures.

The ad features USA Soccer star Carli Lloyd, whose recent 55-yard training camp kick went viral. Lloyd aspires to become an NFL kicker in 2020, though Gay is hoping it won’t be his job she takes.

The rookie spoke to the media following his miss last week and said: “I was confident going into that kick…but I didn’t hit it clean, and it didn’t go in. I gotta live and learn…it’s not going to help to look back on this one.”

Watch: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Los Angeles Rams: 4:05 pm ET on Fox

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Sports

The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl sign...

Chandler Holt

Utah native named Fiesta Bowl Yellow Jacket Committee chair

The Fiesta Bowl Yellow Jacket Committee has named Ryan Hatch as its chair.

1 hour ago

zach wilson...

Sam Herrera

LISTEN: Zach Wilson reportedly traded to Denver Broncos

KSL Sports producer Kyle Ireland joined Jeff Caplan's Afternoon News to discuss Zach Wilson's reported trade.

2 days ago

NHL announcement...

Adam Small

How an NHL team helps Utah for the 2034 Winter Olympics

An NHL team is officially coming to Utah. How will the new franchise help a possible 2034 Olympics in our state?

5 days ago

The Delta Center shown...

CHANDLER HOLT AND JAY STEVENS, KSL SPORTS

League approves new NHL team in Utah, owned by Ryan, Ashley Smith

The NHL Board Of Governors approved the establishment of a new hockey franchise (previously Arizona Coyotes) in Utah by Ryan Smith.

6 days ago

photo of the Arizona Coyotes on a rink...

Kyle Ireland, KSL Sports

Coyotes express thanks for Arizona, look forward to support of Utah

Multiple Coyote players shared thanks for their time in Arizona and looked forward to the move to Utah with optimism.

6 days ago

SLCPD is reminding anyone in the city this weekend to be mindful of travel impacts during the Salt ...

Devin Oldroyd

Salt Lake City Marathon will cause travel impacts, SLCPD warns

SLCPD is reminding anyone in the city this weekend to be mindful of travel impacts during the Salt Lake City Marathon.

7 days ago

Sponsored Articles

a doctor putting her hand on the chest of her patient...

Intermountain Health

Intermountain nurse-midwives launch new gynecology access clinic

An access clinic launched by Intermountain nurse-midwives provides women with comprehensive gynecology care.

Young couple hugging while a realtor in a suit hands them keys in a new home...

Utah Association of Realtors

Buying a home this spring? Avoid these 5 costly pitfalls

By avoiding these pitfalls when buying a home this spring, you can ensure your investment will be long-lasting and secure.

a person dressed up as a nordic viking in a dragon boat resembling the bear lake monster...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Legend of the Bear Lake Monster

The Bear Lake monster has captivated people in the region for centuries, with tales that range from the believable to the bizarre.

...

Live Nation Concerts

All the artists coming to Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre (formerly USANA Amp) this summer

Summer concerts are more than just entertainment; they’re a celebration of life, love, and connection.

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

The undefeated Patriots and Bills will face off this NFL Sunday