The Buffalo Bills are strategically resting eight starters in their January 5 regular season finale against the New England Patriots, as the outcome will not affect their playoff positioning. This decision allows crucial players to recuperate ahead of the AFC Wildcard Weekend. Among those ruled out is wide receiver Amari Cooper, who was sidelined due to personal reasons, and left tackle Dion Dawkins, who was scratched on gameday.
Defensively, the Bills are without notable contributors including cornerbacks Christian Benford and Taron Johnson, defensive tackles Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones, and edge rusher Greg Rousseau. Linebacker Terrel Bernard also misses the game due to a quadriceps injury, as confirmed by head coach Sean McDermott earlier in the week.
Despite the significant absences, veteran wide receiver Curtis Samuel returns to action after being questionable with a rib injury, while the Bills have only four active wide receivers available for this matchup. Mack Hollins, another veteran receiver, could see increased targets as he is close to a contract incentive requiring just 72 more receiving yards.
