Patriots vs. Bills spread, odds, pick: Julian Edelman out, N'Keal Harry also likely to miss Week 8

All that good karma the dynastic New England Patriots had for nearly two decades with Tom Brady under center is long gone in 2020. The Patriots are facing their first four-game losing streak both against the spread and straight up since 2002 on Sunday when they visit AFC East rival Buffalo, and New England is expected to be without top receivers Julian Edelman and N'Keal Harry. The Bills are currently 3.5-point favorites on the NFL odds, but that spread already has started to rise.

Edelman had a precautionary knee procedure this week and will miss at least Sunday's game. The 34-year-old has been bothered by his knee all season but still leads the team with 21 receptions for 315 yards, although he hasn't found the end zone. The Pats have just three TD passes all year. Edelman also has completed two passes for 39 yards as a passer and has rushed for 22 yards on two carries.

It could be that Edelman is near the end of his career with the Patriots as he likely will be released this offseason, and New England would have just a dead cap hit of $2.7 million. If things keep going south, the Pats might be looking at full-blown rebuild and Edelman wouldn't fit that. Shoot, the team might trade cornerback and 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore by Tuesday's Trade Deadline.

Edelman is a borderline Hall of Famer. He has never made a Pro Bowl but has been an amazing playoff performer. The former Kent State quarterback was the MVP of Super Bowl LIII vs. the Rams and ranks second all-time in postseason receiving yardage (1,442) and receptions (118) – both behind GOAT Jerry Rice. Edelman was selected to the Patriots' 2010s All-Decade Team at receiver and returner.

Meanwhile, Harry, the final pick in the first round of the 2019 draft, is dealing with a concussion suffered in Sunday's embarrassing 33-6 home loss to San Francisco and trending toward sitting. Harry has 19 catches for 172 yards and a TD – the only Patriots receiver with a touchdown catch (the other two are by running backs).

Sans Harry too, the Pats would have just Damiere Byrd, Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski at receiver so the team would have to promote someone from the practice squad, make a trade, etc.  This is obviously horrible news for a New England offense that has scored just 28 points combined in its three-game losing streak with Cam Newton looking terrible in the previous two (missed one).

Here's what SportsLine Fantasy expert Jacob Gibbs had to say: "Just avoid New England for Fantasy." That's pretty apt!

This will be only the second time in the past 34 meetings with the Patriots that Buffalo will be favored – it also was Week 2 of the 2015 season. The Bills haven't been favored by at least a field goal vs. New England since 2002.

We like the Bills giving the 3.5 points. Buffalo has covered four straight games as a home favorite.

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