This was not the December many Buffalo Bills’ fans envisioned when the season began. This was supposed to be another year in which the team would dominate in the AFC East.

Public enemy No. 1 — the New England Patriots — had other ideas. When the Patriots ran over this Bills only 17 days ago on a Monday night, they took control of the division. This Sunday, the Bills could change that with a statement victory.

It is obvious this year’s team is nothing like the 13-3 Bills of 2020. They cannot win close games. They have not come back from a deficit to win. It almost seems as though the Bills, like their fans, have some doubt.

A win Sunday over the pesky Pats would change all that. It would put them in the driver’s seat for the division while giving their fans one more gift for the holiday season.