Why to watch:
In all likelihood, the race for the final AFC wild-card berth will come down to a battle between these clubs. Buffalo and New England will meet twice in the season's final six weeks, and those two meetings probably will decide who goes to the postseason and who goes home.

A few weeks ago, these two were riding high in the AFC East, but both are now desperate for a victory. The Patriots have lost two in a row and seem to be suffering their traditional hangover from a loss to Bill Parcells' Jets. The Bills were brought back to earth by a 17-7 loss to the Jets last week -- an extremely disappointing defeat just one week after a dominating victory over Miami. Buffalo will try to avoid entering its bye week on a two-game skid.

This game should provide for a great contrast in styles. The Bills must run the ball and control the clock to be successful. The Pats, meanwhile, feature a quick-strike offense that can put up points in a hurry. The team that is able to play its style the best will probably be the winner.

Who to watch:
Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe comes off a dreadful five-interception performance last week in Miami. After throwing just four interceptions in the season's first eight games, Bledsoe has been picked off eight times in his last two games. However, it's not all Bledsoe's fault. His protection broke down severely last week at Miami, and he was sacked five times. Plus, his receivers had several costly dropped passes last week. New England must get its passing game back on track, but that could be a tough assignment in the swirling winds at Orchard Park.

Patriots WR Terry Glenn hasn't reached the end zone in his last two games and has scored just one TD in his last five contests. Patriots RB Terry Allen is averaging just 2.9 yards per carry during the team's two-game skid. Patriots LB Chris Slade and DE Willie McGinest, who have six sacks apiece, will need to keep containment as they pressure Bills QB Doug Flutie. The Pats have had some trouble in the past with mobile QBs, and Flutie is one of the game's best.

Bills WR Eric Moulds, who had eight catches for 177 yards and one TD in his last meeting with New England, will test Patriots CB Ty Law in one of the game's key matchups. Bills RBs Antowain Smith (toe) and Jonathan Linton (knee) are both banged up, but Buffalo will need a big effort from one of them to win. Flutie threw three TD passes and two interceptions in two '98 meetings with New England -- he struggled in the first meeting at Buffalo, but was brilliant in the game in Foxboro.

Patriots' numbers to know:
New England has allowed three or more sacks in four consecutive games. It will be imperative that the Pats keep Bills DEs Phil Hansen (4½ sacks), Marcellus Wiley (3½) and Bruce Smith (3½) away from Bledsoe.

Bills' numbers to know:
The Buffalo defense has not allowed a passing touchdown in its last two games. The Bills, who rank No. 4 in total defense, are the NFL's sixth-ranked team against the pass, allowing just 179.1 passing yards per game. That will be key against Bledsoe and the Patriots, who rank No. 4 in passing offense at 257.4 yards per game. With a victory, the Bills will join the 49ers as the second team to win 100 games in the 1990s.

What it means:
If you assume either the Colts or Dolphins will win the AFC East (with the odd team out getting one wild card) and the Titans will take a wild card in the AFC Central, that leaves the Bills and Pats to battle it out for the conference's third and final playoff berth. This is the first of two mano a mano battles between the two AFC East rivals, and needless to say, both will be extremely important.

Sean Salisbury's breakdown
Patriots' game plan:
The New England offense must contain Smith and continue to challenge the Bills vertically. The Pats need to do what they do best, throwing to a talented group of receivers led by Glenn. However, Bledsoe must cut down on the interceptions. He has thrown eight the last two weeks. The Pats need to use an early-down passing game as an extension of the run. They should run slant patterns and get tight end Ben Coates involved. If the Patriots have to run and end up losing on first and second down, placing them in long-yardage situations, that is not when they are at their best. They are one of the few NFL teams that must throw 40 times to have a good chance of winning.

Bills' game plan:
Buffalo must be more physical than the underrated New England defense. The Bills need to score and score early. They like to challenge down the field offensively, but unlike the Patriots, they don't want Flutie to throw the ball 40 times. They would like him to mix in play-action fakes and get Moulds involved. Early effectiveness on the ground will set up play-action, which is when the Bills are at their best. On defense, the Bills need to pressure Bledsoe inside, penetrating and getting in his face like the Jets and Dolphins were able to do the last two weeks.