TONIGHT’S GAME : BUFFALO BILLS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Potentially, this is a preview of the AFC championship game. It is also a rematch of a divisional playoff game last year, in which the Bills beat the Steelers, 24-3.

The Bills (7-1), making their third Monday night appearance in five weeks, have won five games in a row. They feature the AFC’s top running back, if not the NFL’s, in Thurman Thomas. Thomas has 806 yards rushing for the AFC’s best rushing team.

Jim Kelly passed for six touchdowns against the Steelers in their 1991 game. Receiver Andre Reed averages 17.8 yards per catch and has six touchdowns.

The Bills give up the least points of any team in the NFL (12 points per game). Cornerback Nate Odomes has six of the Bills’ league-leading 18 interceptions.

The Steelers (5-3) counter with a good running game and the NFL’s best defense.

Barry Foster is second to Thomas in AFC rushing (688 yards). His eight touchdowns leads all running backs.

Foster has gained at least 100 yards in the Steelers’ last eight home games against AFC teams. He had 104 yards against Buffalo in the playoffs last January.

Steeler quarterback Neil O’Donnell has had only four of 222 passes intercepted. His favorite target is tight end Eric Green, who had a 71-yard touchdown reception against the Bengals and averages 18.4 yards per catch.

Pittsburgh has the NFL’s best run defense, giving up 67.8 yards per game. Defensive back Ron Woodson has seven interceptions for the third-best pass defense in the NFL.

However, the Steelers have had trouble with the Bills’ no-huddle offense.