5 difference makers to watch out for in Patriots vs Bills Wild Card Round game

For better or worse: most impactful pieces in Patriots-Bills playoff matchup (2/2)

Here are the remaining three Patriots or Bills players that could have a massive impact on the game tonight.

#3 - Josh Allen

New York Jets v Buffalo Bills

As said earlier, the quarterback can make or break his team during any given 60-minute period of football. If Josh Allen has a good day, his team will likely win. However, if he has a bad day, his team is likely going home. It is largely up to him to decide which day he is going to have.

Those who have watched Allen in the playoffs up to this point in his young career have bared witness to a few on-field implosions. Think back to this exact game last year against the Houston Texans, when Allen had a zero touchdown outing on his way to being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

If Allen has a meltdown against the Patriots, the defensive genius that is Belichick will take advantage and it could get ugly. Allen will need to keep his turnovers to a minimum and not allow the game to get away from him and the Buffalo Bills.

#4 - Emmanuel Sanders

Buffalo Bills v Kansas City Chiefs

Bill Belichick's famous goal of making teams beat him left-handed will be turned up to 11 in this game. Stefon Diggs will be smothered with coverage. As a slot option, Cole Beasley will see plenty of attention. Tight end Dawson Knox will not go unnoticed either.

However, Emmanuel Sanders, who has played in multiple Super Bowls, could be overlooked by the Patriots heading into this game, thanks to a somewhat quiet season.

As such, he could be what opens up New England's defense. If the Bills are anticipating this, Sanders could have a big day. If he has one or two big plays, Belichick may relocate resources to focus on him. Josh Allen would then be able to open the rest of the team up for a big game. Belichick might be in trouble as he scrambles to fill holes in his defense.

The first couple of targets for Sanders could be massive. If he drops them, the Bills could look elsewhere, which would leave them with very few open options. On the other hand, if he catches them and looks explosive, the Bills would be squarely in business. The first quarter and a half will be massive in setting up Sanders and the Bills' offense for the duration of the game.

#5 - Kendrick Bourne

Tennessee Titans v New England Patriots

Kendrick Bourne is the second player on this list to have appeared in a Super Bowl. As such, he will be one of the more reliable playoff weapons for the Patriots offense. He has shown an ability to break off big plays at times this season. If he can do that in this game, it could take a lot of pressure off Mac Jones, the defense, and the team overall.

It would be especially good if he could do so early to set the tone for the New England Patriots' game. A strong early showing from Bourne could intimidate the Bills secondary, while indirectly putting pressure on Josh Allen to make his own big throws. Belichick's goal will be to force as many mistakes as he can from Josh Allen to get turnovers, one way to do it could be to get a big-play touchdown early.