Video Preview: Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots

The Buffalo Bills host the New England Patriots for the first Monday Night Football game in Buffalo since the 2008 season. While the Bills are merely looking to stay at least somewhat competitive in games, the Patriots are eyeing their tenth consecutive AFC East Division Championship. Here’s what to watch for on Monday night at New Era Field.

Tom Brady

The reports of Tom Brady’s imminent demise look to be premature. Coming off an incredible Super Bowl performance, Tom Brady has the Patriots poised for another shot at winning it all. They’re 5-2 and have a one-game lead in the AFC East. Brady will be looking to extend his six-game winning streak at New Era Field/Ralph Wilson Stadium. The last time the Bills won six consecutive home games was in the 1998 season; Brady’s junior year at Michigan.

Buffalo’s defense

Before last week, the Bills’ defense looked like it might be able to carry a historically bad offense to at least a few wins. Then they put up an absolute dud against the Indianapolis Colts. Now, they have one of the toughest match-ups of the season—the fifth-best offense in the league and the greatest quarterback of all time. If they could somehow make Tom Brady look like Week 2 Kirk Cousins it would greatly increase the chances of the Bills pulling off another incredible upset.

Thurman Thomas’s number retirement

It’s been a long time coming, but the Bills will finally retire Thurman Thomas’s number 34. He’ll join his former teammates Jim Kelly (12) and Bruce Smith (78) as the only Bills to have their numbers officially retired by the organization. This will likely be the biggest highlight of the night for the Bills.