Patriots-Bills prediction roundup

Pinch-hitting for Eric today, we take quick a look around at how the pundits see this weekend's Patriots (10-5) matchup with the last place Bills (7-8) with a playoff spot still within reach for New England.

The Bills seriously damaged the Broncos chances of making the postseason with a 30-23 road win last week. Denver must now beat the Chargers at home to get in. And now the Bills can knock the Patriots out of a playoff spot with a win at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday.

If the favored Patriots win, they're going to need some help to keep playing beyond Week 17.

If New England can handle Buffalo and the Jets (9-6) can beat the Dolphins (10-5) at home, the AFC East crown belongs to the Patriots for the sixth consecutive season.

The Pats can also clinch the final wild card berth with a win in Buffalo and a Dolphins victory, along with what would be an unlikely home loss for the Ravens (10-5) against the Jaguars (5-10).

Who they’re picking

Our roundup of pundit picks for Sunday's Bills-Patriots matchup:

• Jim McBride, Boston Globe: Patriots. “It will be cold in Orchard Park, no doubt about that. Don't worry, the game's on CBS, so there'll be no Moose or Goose sightings. There will, however, be plenty of LaMont Jordan, Sammy Morris, and Russ Hochstein.”

• Globe staff: All five pick the Patriots to cover the 6 1/2-point spread.

• Buffalo News staff selections: Three of six pick the Patriots to cover the spread on Sunday.

• Peter King, Sports Illustrated: Patriots 28, Bills 20. “Tempted to pick the Bills. Very tempted, because the winds-will-be-strong-Sunday forecast from weather.com, on my PC, comes up in bright red letters "HIGH WINDS'' for gameday -- and my new underrated combo-platter at running back is Marshawn Lynch and Fred 'Drag 'Em Into The End Zone' Jackson. Last six games: 120 rushing yards per game, 5.0 yards per carry. But this game is too important for the Patriots' D to not bring the big-boy pads.”

• Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Patriots 27, Bills 16. "The Bills showed some life in beating the Broncos last week, but the Patriots aren't the Broncos. They've played well lately. And they still have a chance to make the playoffs. I like New England."

• ESPN staff picks: Six of 10 pick the Patriots, four have yet to weigh in.

• CBS Sports staff: Four of six pick the Patriots to cover.

• Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Patriots 27, Bills 20. “As one would expect from a talented but very young team, the Bills have had some major ups and downs this season. When things go right for Trent Edwards and Marshawn Lynch, they move the ball well and put up impressive point totals. In other games, their offense just as easily disappears. The defense, led by a third second-year player, Paul Posluszny, is just as inconsistent. Watch out for them next year as things get shaken up in the AFC East again. This year's divisional shakeup was largely caused by the knee injury to Tom Brady. His season-long replacement, Matt Cassel, has a chance for another a big game, but even with some Brady-like stats of late, it may be too late to save the season.”

• USA Today staff: It's a clean sweep as all eight are picking the Pats.

• Yahoo! staff: Patriots across the board.

• Peter Schrager, FoxSports.com: Patriots 26, Bills 19. “Sunday's game should be a little better than last week's nationally televised Patriots-Cardinals game. The Pats need this one in the worst way, and I just don't see the Bills playing spoiler two weeks in a row. ”

• Sam Farmer, LA Times: Patriots. “The Patriots have beaten Buffalo 10 consecutive times, last losing to the Bills in a 2003 opener. When New England has to win, it usually does.”

• Greg Cote, Miami Herald: Buffalo 23, Patriots 21. "The Pats clinch the AFC East with a victory and a loss by the Dolphins, and can clinch the wild card with a victory and Ravens loss. Bills are eliminated. 'AAWWK!' carols the Upset Bird. 'Why must I play second fiddle to that 'Playoff impact' crap!? Aawwk!' Yes, the Pats won 10 in a row against the Bills. But the trend must end! Home shocker by Buffs makes later Dolphins-Jets game winner-take-all for AFC East title. 'And now,' adds U-Bird, 'I'd like to wish all of my fans a very Merry Chraaawwwk!' "

• Our pick: Patriots 35, Bills 20. And the Jets take care of the Dolphins, too. Patriots head to the playoffs.