This is something that is not said often but the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills are tied atop the AFC East. Both teams are 3-0 entering their first matchup of the season.

Neither team has faced quality competition yet. The Patriots have three wins over teams that are a combined 0-9. The Bills opponents are 1-8 on the season. Despite having the same record, it is clear that the Patriots are the superior team.

Here are three keys to victory for the reigning Super Bowl champs.

3. Play Patriots Football

This sounds extremely vague but when you hear the “Patriot way,” you know what it means. Things are done differently in Foxborough because of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.

Six championships and nine straight AFC Championship Games later, the Patriots are still here and it is because they play their own game. It does not matter who their skill position players are, all that matters is that the quarterback and coach are the same.

Week to week, the Patriots play football their own way and this is why they are a championship contender every season.

2. James White

James White is a big factor in this game. He missed the previous game against the New York Jets because he was on paternity leave. He was not needed against the Jets but he will be in this game.

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White is not a ball carrier. The Patriots will sprinkle in the occasional carry for White but he is an elite pass catcher. There are many times where Brady chooses to check down to White to gain yardage or White's number is called for a simple screen. White is one of the best skill position players that the Patriots have.

They will be glad to have him back against the Bills.

1. Defense Must Keep Rolling

The Patriots defense is putting up crazy numbers. It does not matter who their opponents have been, they are allowing 199 yards per game. They are giving 36.7 yards per game on the ground. Their front seven is strong and teams cannot run against them when they fall behind.

That trend will have to continue in this game. The Patriots will jump out to an early lead and make Josh Allen beat them.

If that is the case, the defense should be able to ice this game in the end.