Patriots at Bills live updates and analysis

The Patriots hit the road for an AFC East matchup on “Monday Night Football” to face the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots are going for their fifth win in a row and look to improve to 6-2 overall.

Buffalo has dropped two in a row, and is in last place in the division with a 2-5 record.

Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN, as well as Ch. 5 in the Boston market.

Inactives

For the Patriots, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, running back Sony Michel (knee), offensive lineman Marcus Cannon (concussion), defensive lineman Geneo Grissom, cornerback Eric Rowe (groin), guard Brian Schwenke (foot), and tight end Jacob Hollister (hamstring) are inactive

For the Bills, quarterback Josh Allen, running back Taiwan Jones, cornerback Dontae Johnson, guard Ike Boettger, tackle Connor McDermott, guard Wyatt Teller, and defensive end Trent Murphy are inactive.

Pregame scenes

■  Receiver Josh Gordon will miss about a quarter of action tonight because of tardiness.

Keys to victory for each team

Bills

1. Buffalo Tom: The blitz has been an integral part of this defense’s success, so spin the old Rex Ryan Wheel (yes, we know the big fella is long gone) and bring the pressure to Tom Brady.

2. Buffalo stampede: LeSean McCoy and Chris Ivory need to establish something (anything) on the ground to get some sort of balance in this offense and take some heat off Derek Anderson.

3. Buffalo wild wings: Add Kelvin Benjamin and Zay Jones to the list of those who need to help out their quarterback. They must win their one-on-one battles on the outside and hold onto the ball.

Patriots

1. Beef on weck: The big guys up front need another stellar outing as they face their biggest challenge in protecting Tom Brady and opening running lanes against a very stout front seven.

2. Beef O Brady’s: Brady has been brilliant at getting all his receivers engaged in the offense. This has to continue on a night when the running back corps is a bit shorthanded.

3. Beef tips: Deliver a message early — whether it’s on offense, defense, or in the kicking game — and take this surly and leather-lunged crowd out of it. If you let the Bills hang around, they will.

Continue reading Jim McBride’s complete scouting report.

Read options

■ Chad Finn’s Unconventional Preview: It sure doesn’t look like the Bills are ready for prime time. (Read more)

■ Christopher L. Gasper: Trash-talking Jaguars, Eagles finding it hard to keep up with the Patriots. (Read more)

■ Nora Princiotti: Why Stephon Gilmore has been a shutdown corner for the Patriots. (Read more)

■ Ben Volin: James White has become the Patriots’ Mr. Reliable. (Read more)

■ Finn: A conversation with Joe Tessitore, the veteran broadcaster, first-year play-by-play voice of ESPN’s Monday Night Football, and proud Boston College alum and dad. (Read more)

■ Volin: Trade deadline candidates the Patriots might be eyeing. (Read more)