Are Bills resting starters? Latest on Buffalo's plans for Week 18 vs. Patriots

Modified Jan 05, 2025 15:36 GMT

New England Patriots v Buffalo Bills - Source: Getty — Are Bills resting starters? Latest on Buffalo's plans for Week 18 vs. Patriots- Source: Getty

The Buffalo Bills will travel to face the New England Patriots in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season. The matchup between the two AFC East teams is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Since the Bills (13-3) have already clinched the AFC East and qualified for the playoffs, fans have been eager to know whether they will rest some of their starters for their regular-season finale.

Are the Bills resting starters for Week 18 vs. Patriots?

NFL: Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen - Source: Imagn

Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!

As per reports, the Bills will field their starters against the Patriots on Sunday. However, the Buffalo starters will likely be on limited reps in Week 18.

Earlier in the week, Bills coach Sean McDermott said his starters practiced well for the challenge at New England.

"They’ve been rather focused,” McDermott said. “I’m sure some are appreciating the rest and being able to unplug a bit but not totally getting out of the routines, which I think is also important.

“There’s a lot of things you balance; you want to win the game and trying to be smart with keeping players healthy. There’s other considerations, player incentives, players on the practice squad. I’m trying to balance that, and I think communication’s big, and you try trying to do the best you can.”

The Bills will want to keep their main starters healthy and fit for the playoffs. Thus, it's possible that quarterback Josh Allen, running back James Cook and others could be replaced by their backups at some time in the game against the Patriots.

The Bills currently have the No. 2 seed in the AFC. They cannot get the top seed, so there isn't much to play for on Sunday. However, a win will keep Buffalo's momentum heading into the postseason.

How to watch Bills vs. Patriots? TV schedule and live stream details for Week 18 contest

The Bills vs. Patriots (3-13) game will be broadcast live on CBS, where Spero Dedes (play-by-play) and Adam Archuleta (analysis) will be in the announcers' booth. Aditi Kinkhabwala will report from the sidelines.

Fans can also livestream the Bills-Patriots matchup on Paramount+ or Fubo.