Hours Before Kickoff: Week 10

They say the players on the field determine the outcome of the game. That's true, but this week the players who won't be on the field could matter as well. Focusing on recent injuries, both teams have injuries that could be weaknesses waiting to be taken advantage of:

Buffalo

S Donte Whitner -He's the leader of the Bills secondary, just like Rodney Harrison was for the Patriots. Whitner isn't the biggest, but he's gets around the field, is a good hitter and playmaker. Buffalo has a young secondary and could miss his direction.

DE Aaron Schobel -The best pass rusher on the Bills has been in and out of the lineup. This week he is MIA, While Schobel hasn't been productive, he generates the best pressure for a defense with only 13 sacks. Without consistent heat, Pats QB Matt Cassel could have the time to pick the Bills secondary apart.

WR Josh Reed -He's Buffalo's version of Wes Welker: a quality slot receiver that consistently moves the chains. Reed excels in finding soft spots on zones and keeps Buffalo's offense humming. Just because the Bills spread the ball around (five players have at least 20 receptions) doesn't diminish Reed's contributions. Without Reed working underneath, it doesn't open up the deep routes to Lee Evans.

G Brad Butler -Buffalo's O-line hasn't been great to begin with, so the loss of Butler is even more painful. They have to get the RB Marshawn Lynch going and protect QB Trent Edwards, who suffered a concussion this season already. To Butler's left is NT Vince Wilfork, and to his right is DE Ty Warren. Not an easy pair to deal with for 60 minutes. Now that task is up to his back-up.

New England

RB Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan -While this is old news, it's important to point out that having the depth to keep throwing at Bills DT Marcus Stroud all afternoon to tire him would be valuable.

CB Terrence Wheatley, Lewis Sanders -They're not household names, but depth in the defensive backfield is an issue. The Patriots were interested in DeAngelo Hall for a reason. It's possible that Ellis Hobbs won't play as well, meaning a secondary already stretched thin is extended a little more. Will this the point where the secondary finally snaps?

A few things I'm looking for:

The Better Bulldog -Stroud and Richard Seymour are University of Georgia alums. There's probably a quiet rivalry between the two. They want to out-shine the other so expect their intensity to be dialed up a bit higher than normal.

Nothing Special - Hobbs has the best kickoff return average. Buffalo is the second best punt return team. The Patriots are third best. the Bills have the league's best all-around special teams. A small mistake could be costly, big time.

Short Drives -Cassel mastered long drives as he engineered four drives of 13 plays or longer. Edwards can do the same, but enjoys shortcuts to Evans. Will Cassel take more than one chance downfield?

Playing well despite injuries is nothing new to the Pats this season. That experience will help them as they deflect a late Bills charge as the Patriots hold on to win.