Week 11 Patriots vs Bills Five Questions: Buffalo is "vulnerable" up the middle

We spoke with Brian Galliford of Buffalo Rumblings to get the inside scoop on the Buffalo Bills!

1. The Bills look like a different team, whether it's health or experience. Which offensive and defensive players have changed the most since week 2?

It's a health thing. LeSean McCoy (who actually played pretty well in Week 2) seems to have overcome his hamstring issue. Sammy Watkins is looking great since the bye. Other starters that had missed time are back in the lineup, with the only exceptions at the moment being Kyle Williams and Aaron Williams. The Bills are a talented team, so it stands to reason that when their best players are healthier, the team is better on the field.

McCoy would be my answer for the guy that has changed the most since early in the season; he has been superb since the bye week and, while not at 100 percent, clearly has his legs under him. Defensively, the cornerbacks, Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby, are playing at an extremely high level right now, and are the clear strength of that unit.

2. The offense definitely funnels through LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams. How does Buffalo maximize their production when it's so evident that they have to be stopped?

Greg Roman is really adept at being able to run out of any type of formation, and with any sort of personnel group on the field. He can also use Tyrod Taylor and his athleticism to keep defenses honest and open up running lanes. It also helps that McCoy and Williams are versatile players that can contribute on the ground and as receivers. The running game is the clear strength of the offense right now.

3. Sammy Watkins always seems to be on the verge of breaking out. What has limited his production this year?

Well, he had those injuries - a calf ailment cost him two games, and then an ankle injury parts of two more - but he's as close to full health now as he's been all year, and has played very well the last two games. But this is also a run-first offense with a hit-or-miss quarterback in Taylor that can struggle for stretches, which limits Watkins' effectiveness.

4. What growth have you seen from Tyrod Taylor since week 2?

Honestly, not much. He's as solid now as he was early in the season, though it's worth pointing out that after his three-turnover game against New England, he has turned the ball over just three more times in those five starts since.

The offense is tailored to his athletic traits; he makes plays on the move, can throw a beautiful deep ball, strives to be ultra-efficient (and often succeeds), but also struggles to throw into the teeth of a blitz and can try to do too much and take some bad plays. He's a dangerous football player, but not even remotely a perfect quarterback. The Bills can win with him, and obviously have; they're 5-2 when he starts.

5. The Bills defensive line has struggled against quarterbacks with faster trigger fingers. Has Rex found a way to adjust, or has the secondary been forced to pick up the slack?

The answer to both angles of that question is "yes," because Ryan's adjustment to the quick throws has been to ease up on the third-down pressure packages and play more guys in coverage. Given how well his cornerbacks are playing, he can man up the outside receivers and then throw multiple bodies at the inside guys.

The Bills' linebackers and safeties are vulnerable against the pass, but it helps when they play as many guys back as they can. Buffalo's sack numbers are suffering, but the defense has also steadily improved throughout the season, though they're clearly not where they were a year ago.