The Buffalo Bills still have a sign of life in the AFC playoff race after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14 and improving to 7-6. 

Another daunting task awaits them, though, as they will host the red hot Dallas Cowboys, who have won seven of their last eight. 

A win would put the Bills in prime position to snag a playoff spot, with two sub-par teams in the Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots next on the docket. Here's what they'll need to do to win their second straight game.

1. Depth defenders have to step up

The Bills will be without both A.J. Epenesa and Micah Hyde on Sunday- two of their best defenders. This means the depth in the secondary and the pass rush will need to earn their place at the table. Taylor Rapp will see a lot of playing time, and Damar Hamlin may see some snaps, as well — they can't let CeeDee Lamb or Brandin Cooks get behind them. Leonard Floyd will also be expected to have a higher snap count playing opposite Greg Rousseau and Von Miller. The Bills have been dealt a bad hand with injuries defensively this season, but the record doesn't care about injuries- they need to get the job done.

2. Limit Jake Ferguson

In the Cowboys' last two games, Ferguson has 11 catches for 149 yards and a touchdown. Dallas has found ways to get the ball in Ferguson's hands consistently, and he has become the No. 2 target in the offense outside of CeeDee Labmb. The Cowboys will utilize Ferguson over the middle, so Terrell Bernard has to be wary, but they'll move him around too. He'll get some snaps as a slot receiver, he'll go the outside flat and run some deep outs — he'll be everywhere. The Cowboys love throws outside the numbers, specifically to the right side where they rank third in the NFL in terms of target location. Lamb is the guy Buffalo will have their hands the most full with, but if they let Ferguson eat all afternoon, that could be just as damaging.

3. Let Josh Allen be Josh Allen

Since Joe Brady took over as offensive coordinator, we've seen a little more diversity in the play-calling. Not only is Buffalo utilizing the middle of the field more, as well as getting running back James Cook more involved, but Allen is running the ball more. He has his two highest rushing attempt totals in Buffalo's last two games and has run for three touchdowns in that span. If the Bills want to win, their MVP candidate will need to outduel the current leader in the MVP clubhouse on the other sideline, Dak Prescott. If Buffalo wins, it will be in large part because Allen entered "I'm Josh Allen, and you're not" mode. Let your star be a star.

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