It doesn't bode well for the Patriots, on a variety of levels, that the Bills disposed of the San Diego Chargers, 23-14, Sunday afternoon in Buffalo, a week after the Bolts blasted the Pats in San Diego, 30-10.
For starters, the Bills remain atop the AFC East at 5-1. The Patriots are 3-2 going into Monday night's game with the Broncos in Foxboro. And what does it say about the relative strength of the two top AFC East contenders that the Bills beat the Chargers by nine just seven days after the Pats lost in San Diego by 20?
Buffalo clinched the victory by forcing Chargers' QB Philip Rivers into a pair of costly, fourth-quarter turnovers. With San Diego threatening to take the lead in a first-and-goal situation, Rivers was intercepted in the end zone. Buffalo converted that turnover into a field goal. Whatever comeback hopes the Chargers entertained were crushed when Rivers was hit and sacked in his own territory on the ensuing possession.
That game also should provide incentive for Denver. The 4-2 Broncos, who already own a win over San Diego, can take firm control of the AFC West with a win over New England. The Chargers' setback leaves them under .500, at 3-4, as they head to London to take on New Orleans, which was routed Sunday afternoon at Carolina, 30-7.