Seven and Nine: Seven Key Games on The Bills 2009 Schedule.

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Given the schedule, there’s also a chance that the Bills are 1-2 heading into this one. So again, to avoid an early season hole, this one has "must win" written all over it.

3) Houston 11/01/09

A very big game before the bye week and this one will likely have major tie breaker ramifications for both teams in terms of potential playoff seeding and a wild card spot.

The Texans could be very good in 2009, and like the Bills they are looking to not only make the playoffs for the first time this decade, but also the first time ever. Luckily the Bills get them at home despite the fact they’ve been far from dominant there in recent years.

Houston has only been to Buffalo once, but did come out victorious in that contest. Buffalo has visited Houston twice and won both games there as well. With two young up and coming teams, I smell a potential rivalry brewing.

4) AT Tennessee 11/15/09

Coming off the bye week, another huge game against the AFC South looms large. Even if they aren’t the juggernaut they were last year, the Titans will likely be in the thick of the playoff race at this point.

Buffalo could be looking to avoid falling below .500 here or get on a roll as they make a strong push for the playoffs. But for the Bills to get back to the postseason, they need to win games on the road against contenders.

This contest should be a game that tells us exactly who the 2009 Buffalo Bills are. They need to prove they can hang with physical teams and run the football against them.

5) New York (Toronto) 12/03/09

Buffalo’s new second home is in Toronto, but it’s really just a neutral field on foreign soil.

It’s always tough to play a Thursday game with just a few days of preparation, and considering this is a division rival that makes it even more difficult. Also factor in they will play Miami in Buffalo just a few days before this game.

The Jets might be in the playoff mix, or looking ahead to 2010 by this time, but either way the Bills need to win their first "home" game in Toronto.

Playing in the dome should help as well since neither team will have to worry about the inclement weather conditions that comes with the territory in December.

6) New England 12/20/09

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