Tonight, the AFC East division lead is up for grabs as the Buffalo Bills take on the New York Jets to close out Week 6. It’s another big early season game for the Bills and the third straight game in which they play as a road team against an AFC playoff contender.

The Bills are currently in first place in the division, but a loss to the Jets would bring their records to 3-3 and give New York a half-game lead over Buffalo. Please note that both teams have injuries to key players that could impact tonight’s outcome. Let’s see…

Buffalo Bills offense vs. New York Jets defense

Injured Bills: QB Josh Allen, RB James Cook, WR Mack Hollins, WR Curtis Samuel, WR Khalil Shakir

Wounded fighter jets: CB Michael Carter II, LB CJ Mosley, LB Leki Fotu, LB Jamien Sherwood

The Jets cut Carter, who hurt his back during last week’s pregame routine, on Monday night. However, the bills have three recipients injured. Hollins and Samuel will play as they have managed their respective injuries all week and entered the weekend without any clues. The bigger problem for the Bills is the questionable status of both Khalil Shakir, who didn’t play at all during Week 5, and James Cook.

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The Jets secondary, which will feature Brandin Echols in Carter’s place, should have no trouble keeping up with the very stumbling Bills receiving corps. Where the Jets could feel the impact of their defensive injuries is at linebacker. Cook’s agent said he’s playing, but even if he isn’t, his understudy – Ty Johnson – won’t be an easy tackle if given any space to run.

Then there’s Josh Allen, who, despite a sore ankle and a gloved hand, is always a threat by stopping the ball and running over – or through – an uncertain defense. While Jamien Sherwood should play, CJ Mosley is listed as doubtful. No doubt, the Jets would love to have Mosley’s 10 years of experience guiding their defense. Should he not play again this week – which would be his fourth inactive game in a row – it will be Chazz Suratt, who has recorded five tackles in Mosley’s absence.

There is always the possibility that the Jets add Leki Foku back to their active roster, as he has spent a full week training in his attempt to return from a hamstring injury that landed him on the injured reserve list.

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Still, the Bills’ injuries pose far more question marks than the Jets’ injuries. We saw last week how tough Buffalo’s offense was without Shakir. If they both don’t have their top receiver And Now that they’re starting to run back, it could spell more trouble for a team that needs to come out of the gate strong tonight.

Even if they are active, will Shakir and Cook count anytime soon? Will they be able to run like they do when they’re healthy? And how mobile will Allen be on that ankle? Will he try more slides – something that didn’t work well for him in Week 4 – as he appears to be protecting both of his hands And his ankle?

Injury advantage: New York

Buffalo Bills Defense vs. New York Jets Offense

Injured Bills: LB Terrel Bernard, CB Taron Johnson, DT Austin Johnson, DT DaQuan Jones, DT Ed Oliver, EDGE Javon Solomon, LB Matt Milano (on IR), EDGE Von Miller (suspended)

Injured fighter jets: TE Tyler Conklin, OT Morgan Moses, QB Aaron Rodgers

Buffalo will be without Oliver, Milano and Miller. Bernard went into the weekend without an injury for the first time since suffering a pectoral injury in week 2, so he’s in the running. That also applies to DaQuan Jones and Javon Solomon who both practiced a bit hard this week, but didn’t actually miss a single game. work. The questions surround both boys named Johnson.

Cornerback Taron Johnson hasn’t played in 19.5 quarters. The Bills have missed his presence because he is one of them, if not the, best nickel corner in the league. Linebacker Baylon Spector, however, has stepped up in his absence. Spector has 23 combined tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery in his time as a starter this season. It’s likely the Bills thought they would get Johnson back this week since they didn’t send him to IR after suffering a forearm fracture in Week 1.

Johnson was out of the non-contact jersey in practice this week but entered the weekend as questionable. It is notable that this was the same route that Buffalo took with Bernard last week and after some weekend tests Bernard was active in week 5, And played 100% of defensive snaps.

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Buffalo likes to rotate its pass rushers – a lot. But without Ed Oliver and Von Miller, Austin Johnson’s absence has also limited their depth up front. Johnson didn’t play last week and was limited this week.

However, the Bills have plenty of players ready to make life difficult for the possibly immobile Aaron Rodgers. He’s dealing with another lower leg (ankle) injury, and Buffalo has some very agile, very long, and very fast pass rushers.

Complicating Rodgers’ situation is the fact that Tyler Conklin is also taking a hit as he has a hip injury. Conklin, who was the third-best pass catcher for the Jets in their Week 5 loss (catching six passes for 55 yards for an average of 9.2 yards per catch) is questionable for playing time.

Additionally, the Jets’ offensive line isn’t healthy either. Morgan Moses is dealing with a knee injury that has slowed him down all week, and Tyron Smith’s 14 years in the league are starting to catch up as he needs both a DNP and LP day over the past two weeks had – both listed as Vet rest.

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Despite missing three key names, Buffalo’s defense will be fine if they get Bernard for a second straight week, and possibly Taron Johnson. They also get back safety Taylor Rapp, who cleared concussion protocol this week. They have enough depth – and youth – left up front to keep up with the Jets’ bloated offensive line and immobile quarterback.

Injury advantage: Buffalo

NFL teams must publish their inactive lists 90 minutes before kickoff. That means that by 6:45 PM EDT we’ll know for sure who really benefited from a Sunday rest day.