Quarterbacks: Drew Bledsoe has slumped recently, compared to his hot start. He happy he ended up with the Bills and in Buffalo and probably even happier he wasn't traded to the Bengals. Jon Kitna has had 11 starts. Project his passing yards to 15 starts, and he's in Drew Bledsoe's 4,100-yard neighborhood. Kinta's performance and leadership have earned him the job in 2003.

Edge: Bills

Running Backs: Travis Henry needs 42 rushing yards to join O.J. Simpson (3) and Thurman Thomas (2) as the only Buffalo backs to have 1,400-plus in a season. Henry and Larry Centers each have 41 catches. Today could be Lorenzo Neal's farewell. Corey Dillon's shooting for another 1,300-plus on the ground. And don't forget last week's hero, Nicolas Luchey, who figures to get another look.

Edge: Even

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: Buffalo's strength at wide receiver with Eric Moulds (91 catches, 11 TDs) and Peerless Price (89, 11) could be the deciding factor against a depleted Bengals secondary. Ron Dugans needs three receptions to give the Bengals three WRs with 50 or more receptions. Chad Johnson has 63, and Peter Warrick 50. TE Matt Schobel faces brother Aaron.

Edge: Bills

Offensive Line: OK, the Bills have put up 23.5 points a game and thrown for a lot of yards (they also have a Pro Bowl guard in Ruben Brown), but Bledsoe has been sacked 52 times. For the first time in a long time in the second half against the Saints, the Bengals offensive line just hit people instead of dancing. The result was two TD drives, mostly on the ground.

Edge: Bills

Defensive Line: Defensive end Aaron Schobel has 8.5 sacks, but the Bills are 31st against the run (134.8 yards a game) and have just 29 sacks as a team. Their 16 takeaways are fewest in the league. After a terrible run of games against the rush, the Bengals have allowed 82, 109 and 36 in their past three. Glen Steele plays a disciplined tackle. Justin Smith and Tony Williams are steady.

Edge: Bengals

Linebackers: London Fletcher is wrapping up a great year, with 197 tackles, three sacks and nine quarterback pressures and hits. Still, the Bills are 29th in the league in points allowed at 25.9 a game. Brian Simmons and Takeo Spikes looked like, well, Simmons and Spikes last week against the Saints. Spikes could be auditioning for a team that is interested in him in free agency.

Edge: Bengals

Defensive Backs: Nate Clements has five interceptions, and the Buffalo pass defense is coming off a game in which it held Green Bay's Brett Favre to 114 yards passing and intercepted him twice. The safety position is depleted, and the Bengals are facing the best tandem of wide receivers they've seen all year. Credit Marquand Manuel for an impressive rookie year.

Edge: Bills

Coaching: With the help of a professional, productive personnel department, the Bills have turned around in Gregg Williams' second season. An 8-8 record is important to Williams and his staff. Uncertainty hangs over the heads of Dick LeBeau and his coaching staff. If this were to be LeBeau's last game, his players certainly should want to send him out with a victory. He is 12-32.

Edge: Bills

Overall: Buffalo's special teams are nothing special, but the Bengals have major problems. The Bills have too much offense for an injury-depleted Bengals defense, especially in the passing game. The Bengals will be trying to avoid becoming the first in franchise history with 14 losses. But the Bills' desire to finish 8-8 appears to be stronger at this point. As usual, watch out for special teams.

Edge: Bills

Curnutte's Prediction: Bills 27, Bengals 24

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