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Players to Watch: Patriots at Bills
Patriots.com's Mike Dussault shares his players to watch during the Patriots Week 4 matchup against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on Sunday, September 29, 2019.
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
Phillip Dorsett, WR: Dorsett has caught three touchdowns already and could be thrust into a more important role if Julian Edelman can't play due to injury. In this his third season with the team, Dorsett has a knack for finding holes in coverage, but how will he produce with more defensive attention on him? The Patriots could need him more than ever in this game, a true test of Dorsett's value.

James White, RB: The Patriots run game continued to struggle without White, who missed the Jets game as his wife was having a baby. The versatile threat is one of the most important weapons on the roster, expect him to be a big part of the gameplan against the Bills, especially with screen passes that take advantage of Buffalo's defensive aggression.

Jamie Collins, LB: Collins is simply playing out of his mind right now, making plays from everywhere on the field and is one of the big reasons the defense is off to such a fantastic start. The only player in the league with two-or-more sacks, interceptions and pass break-ups, Collins is a must-watch player right now. His athleticism will be necessary to keep Josh Allen in check and prevent any big runs from the mobile quarterback.

Tom Brady, QB: It would be easy to overlook how remarkable Brady has been in the first three games, with a makeshift offensive line, limited tight ends and an injury-depleted receiving corps. We simply expect him to be good no matter what, but Brady's special play should be appreciated every week, especially when the offense has so much to work through. Buffalo is a tough place to play and will put this new version of the Patriots offense to the test.

Elandon Roberts, LB: The Bills fifth-ranked rushing offense will be a big focus for the defense this week and that means run-stopping middle linebacker Elandon Roberts should play a sizable role. A first-year captain, Roberts brings a hard-hitting edge to the linebacking group and should be seeking plenty of contact with veteran Frank Gore.

Josh Allen, QB: Buffalo's second-year quarterback has his team off to a 3-0 start and the excitement for this matchup with the Patriots should be through the roof. Allen can make throws and plays with his feet, but it will be avoiding costly mistakes that could decide this game.

Tre'Davious White, CB: The Bills cornerback is off to a stellar start to the season, grabbing a game-sealing interception against the Bengals last week. If Edelman can't go, White could see plenty of Philip Dorsett in a matchup that could determine how effective the Patriots offense is. If White removes Dorsett or Edelman from the game, the Pats could have problems moving the ball.

Cole Beasley, WR: Beasley was on a lot of Patriots fan's radars this summer and for good reason, the diminutive slot receiver is an easy offensive fit for New England. With 17 catches in three games, he's off to a strong start. He and John Brown are the primary targets for Allen. Jonathan Jones could be covering him a lot.

Frank Gore, RB: Gore is averaging just 3.7 yards-per-attempt but is still a focal point of the rushing offense and a complimentary piece that allows designed runs for Allen. The Patriots game plan will likely revolve around stopping Gore early and forcing Allen to play from the pocket, something the Bengals struggled with. The Pats simply cannot allow Gore to get loose on them.

Micah Hyde, S: Another elite member of the Buffalo secondary, Hyde is the leader of a Buffalo defense that has earned respect around the league over the past two seasons. He's the tone setter and if Buffalo is to contain the Patriots offense, Hyde will play a big role in the box and be heavily involved against the Pats underneath passing attack.