New England @ Buffalo preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 11, 2012 ) Buffalo 31, New England 37

No team in the NFL is happier to get back to playing actual football games than the New England Patriots. After an offseason dominated by Aaron Hernandez’s legal troubles and subsequent release, the Patriots will get back to the business of football by visiting the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The Bills are beginning a new era with first-year head coach Doug Marrone and rookie quarterback EJ Manuel.

Tom Brady lost most of his receiving corps with Hernandez in jail, Wes Welker in Denver and Brandon Lloyd off to free agency. The perennial Pro Bowler has a slew of rookies at wide receiver to go along with import Danny Amendola until Rob Gronkowski recovers from back and forearm surgeries. Manuel underwent knee surgery on Aug. 18 but is ready to go for the season opener, pushing rookie free agent Jeff Tuel back to the bench.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Patriots - 9.5. O/U 51

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (2012: 12-4, first AFC East): Brady brought a group of unheralded receivers all the way to the AFC Championship Game in the 2006 season and is hoping to turn that trick again with rookies Josh Boyce, Zach Sudfeld and Kenbrell Thompkins expected to be big pieces in the offense. New England brought back cornerback Aqib Talib to lock down the outside for a defense that was vulnerable to the deep pass in 2012. Tim Tebow may have dominated the camp talk at the quarterback position but was ultimately released, leaving Brady with just Ryan Mallett backing him up.

ABOUT THE BILLS (2012: 6-10, tied for third AFC East): Buffalo cleared out the entire staff after another disappointing season in 2012 and has new life with Marrone, who was plucked from Syracuse. Marrone’s first draft pick was Manuel, who was named the starter early in camp only to suffer the knee injury that led to some tense moments where it looked like Tuel might become the first undrafted rookie to start a season opener. Manuel will have plenty of help as he eases his way into the system from running back C.J. Spiller, who averaged 6.0 yards per carry last season, and veteran wide receiver Stevie Johnson.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Patriots have taken 18 of the last 19 meetings, including a 52-28 drubbing at the Bills in 2012.

2. Buffalo rookie K Dustin Hopkins (groin) will miss Week 1. Veteran Dan Carpenter was signed to take over his duties for at least the first week.

3. Brady has thrown a touchdown pass in 48 straight games, the second-longest streak in NFL history behind Drew Brees’ 54.

PREDICTION: Patriots 35, Bills 17