Patriots at Bills

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, Ch 5 in the Boston market.

inactive

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

For the Bills, Josh Allen quarterback, 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 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: Sean McCoy and Chris Ivory 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 another need to face up to their biggest challenge in protecting the world.

2. Beef O Brady's: Brady has been brilliant at getting all his fans engaged in the offense. This has to be continued when the body is running back.

3. Beef tips: Deliver a message early – 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 does not 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 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)