Patriots-Bills Snow Showdown Could Crown AFC East Champ

New England Patriots fans are getting something they have not had in years: truly meaningful December football will be played this Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium, and it could very well become a long-awaited "Free Hat and T-Shirt Day."

On this week’s Patriots Preview with Fun 107 Patriots analyst Nick Coit, the AFC East title race and a classic New England snow game were front and center.

Patriots and Bills Showdown in Foxboro

The Patriots host the Buffalo Bills in Foxboro on Sunday in what Coit called a true toss-up between two strong AFC East teams. New England already played Buffalo tough earlier this season, and Coit expects another dogfight with a big play or two from one of the quarterbacks likely deciding it.

On the Buffalo side, Coit said Josh Allen is essentially the entire offense and one of the toughest players in the league to slow down. “You can’t really stop him,” Coit said. "You can only hope to contain him, especially when he breaks the pocket and uses his legs to move the chains.”

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Why the Running Game is Key

Still, Coit believes the real thing the Patriots defense needs to worry about is Bills running back James Cook. Coit pointed out that Buffalo’s run defense has had its own issues, which could open the door for a big night from New England running back TreVeyon Henderson. Coit thinks it’s going to all come down to the running game, whichever team does it better will win the game.

The snow in the game day forecast could make that even more likely. Coit said neither team really gets an advantage, since both are built for cold-weather games. Instead, the conditions simply add to the nostalgia of classic Gillette snow games from Adam Vinatieri’s iconic kicks to Tedy Bruschi’s pick-six against Miami that sparked the snow fireworks.

Fantasy Football Playoffs Sleeper

Coit’s Fantasy Football Sleeper of the Week is New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele, who has taken on a bigger role since the trade deadline and faces the Carolina Panthers this weekend.

As for a prediction, Coit is calling it a 23-20 Patriots win and a hat and T shirt celebration New England fans haven’t seen since Tom Brady left town six years ago.