The AFC East lead is on the line, when the New England Patriots visit Orchard Park to take on the Buffalo Bills. Both teams are 3-2 and the game could stand as a potential playoff tiebreaker.
Buffalo defeated the Detroit Lions on the road last week, as Dan Carpenter kicked a 58-yard go-ahead field goal for the Bills to seal the victory. Kyle Orton won his first game as the Bills starting quarterback.
New England is coming off its best performance of the year, routing the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
Here's what you need to know:
How will New England stop the Bills' pass rush?
Buffalo's defense has become an elite unit under coordinator Jim Schwartz, and the Bills lead the NFL in sacks with 17. Marcell Dareus will attack the middle of the Patriots' offensive line, which has been wildly inconsistent all season. Dareus is having the best season of his young career, recording five sacks through five games.
New England's offensive line gave Tom Brady plenty of time to operate against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. However, the line has struggled against teams with multiple pass rushing threats. Miami's Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon gave the Patriots fits in Week 1 and Buffalo's duo of Mario Williams and Jerry Hughes will give tackles Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer all they can handle.
The Patriots' twin tight ends are back
New England's offense thrived when Tom Brady utilized twin tight ends and carved through opposing defenses using Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez to perfection. After Hernandez was released, the Patriots' offense failed to reach its peak.
The Patriots may have reverted back to its strength, as Tim Wright has learned the offense and the duo of Gronkowski and Wright combined for 11 catches, 185 yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals on Monday night. Brady went to the hurry-up offense on a number of occasions and has proven to be lethal when he turns up New England's pace.
Buffalo has always had a difficult time trying to contain Gronkowski and adding Wright gives Brady another weapon to exploit the middle of the field. How the Bills defend New England's tight ends could be the difference.
Sammy Watkins vs. Darrelle Revis
Bills rookie Sammy Watkins has been a revelation for the club and has helped the passing game immensely. Watkins leads the team in receiving yards with 282 and two touchdowns. The 21-year-old's play has been reflective of the team: when he doesn't play well, the Bills have been in trouble.
Watkins will likely be isolated and defended by Patriots shutdown cornerback Darrelle Revis. New England has held opponents to a meager 196.6 passing yards per game, in large part due to Revis. The eighth-year pro will shadow Watkins all game and make it difficult for the Bills' rookie playmaker to get touches.
If Revis blankets Watkins, then Buffalo will have to rely on Robert Woods and Mike Williams to step up.
