BY: JOE KONZE JR
Former Buffalo Bills head coach Marv Levy once said, “Where else would you rather be than right here, right now?”
Today, fans won’t want to be anywhere else but in front of their television.
The Bills (6-2) are looking to make a statement today as they play host to a legitimate NFC Super Bowl contender in the Seattle Seahawks (6-1).
Buffalo has won six of its first eight games of the season, and two of those losses have come against two of the AFC’s top teams from last season, the Tennessee Titans and the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Seahawks come into this weekend’s matchup leading the NFC West behind the impressive play of MVP contender quarterback Russell Wilson and the emergence of wide receiver DK Metcalf.
Today’s game is a chance for the Bills to prove that they are far more of a contender than a pretender.
Here are a few things to look out for in today’s matchup.
Last time they met:
In a “Monday Night Football” matchup at Century Link Field in Seattle back on Nov. 7, 2016, the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Buffalo Bills 31-25 in a rollercoaster back-and-forth affair.
On third-and-goal from Seattle’s own 7-yard line, defensive end Cliff Avril sacked Bills’ quarterback Tyrod Taylor for an 8-yard loss. On the very next play, fourth-and-goal at Seattle’s 15-yard line, Taylor couldn’t find anyone open in the end zone, and his pass fell incomplete to end the game. The Seahawks held on for the win.
It was a controversial game for the Bills. Before the end of the first half, they attempted to tie the game, but an officiating snafu cost the Bills three crucial points.
Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman rushed off the edge early to block a Dan Carpenter field goal and ran into Carpenter. Sherman was called on the offsides, but not for unnecessary roughness. Carpenter was forced to sit out a play because he had received medical attention.
The Bills were forced to spike to ball and burn a down so Carpenter could return to play. On the very next play, Carpenter missed the 54-yard field goal.
This oversight forced Buffalo to push for the end zone in the closing seconds rather than settling for three points.
He Said It:
“We won’t sleep much this week. Just overall, the keyword is respect. We have a lot of respect for Russell. He does it all – he can run it, he can throw it. He is a big challenge.”
Buffalo Bills Head Coach Sean McDermott on Russell Wilson
Will Bills’ passing attack Return to form?:
Through the first four games of the season, the Buffalo Bills’ offense was on fire. Josh Allen was around a 70 percent completion percentage with 1,326 passing yards, 12 touchdown passes, and one interception en route to a 4-0 start.
But defenses around the league have adjusted very well to Allen and the Buffalo offense. Over the last four games, Allen has compiled 846 yards, four touchdowns, four interceptions, and completed 62.8 percent of his passes.
This weekend’s matchup could be just what Josh Allen and company need to get back to their old form. Seattle’s secondary ranks last in the league and the Bills may take a few deep shots downfield.
If Allen can connect on a couple of big plays, the Bills could find themselves on the winning side of this contest.
Key Matchup: Josh Allen vs. Russell Wilson:
Let me take a brief moment to set the stage for you.
The Seahawks rank last in the league in total defense and they have allowed 3,226 total yards and 460.9 yards per game. Of those 3,226 yards, they have allowed 2,511 yards through the air and 358.7 yards per game.
For the Bills’ defense, it has been an interesting start to the season, to say the least. They have allowed 2,865 yards of total offense through eight games. They have given up 134.4 yards per game on the ground, and through the air, they have given up an average of 223 yards per game.
In simpler terms, we could be in for an Allen vs. Wilson shootout in Orchard Park today.
Wouldn’t it be nice for Bills fans to finally see a quarterback stand toe-to-toe with the elite Russell Wilson? Sign me up.
Don’t Get Beat Deep:
One of the biggest things to watch coming in today’s matchup is how the Bills will defend the Seahawks’ offense.
Will they play it similarly to the Chiefs game? Sure, it wasn’t pretty on the ground as the Bills’ defense allowed 250 rushing yards, but they kept the game within a score because they didn’t let the Kansas City offense beat them deep.
Seattle has some high-caliber weapons in this offense, including DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. It might be within the best interest of Buffalo to try to deploy a similar game plan.
Ground and Pound Part two?:
John Feliciano’s return to the lineup last weekend breathed some life into a struggling Buffalo rushing attack.
Zack Moss rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries while averaging 5.8 yards per carry. His counterpart Devin Singletary gained 86 yards on 14 touches and averaged 6.1 yards per carry.
Seattle’s rushing defense ranks sixth in the league, having allowed 715 total yards on the ground and 102.1 rushing yards per game.
I know we want to see a Josh Allen vs. Russell Wilson shootout, but if the Bills can continue to pound the rock effectively, why abandon it?
Defending DK Metcalf:
DK Metcalf is a freak of nature; that is not up for debate.
Last weekend in a 37-27 victory over division rival San Francisco 49ers, Metcalf totaled 12 catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Through seven games, he has 36 receptions for 680 yards and seven touchdowns.
Tre’Davious White and the Bills’ secondary know that Metcalf is no easy task, and it will be a collective effort to eliminate big plays from him.
If there was one game for the secondary to make a statement, today is the day.
Konze’s Prediction:
Russell Wilson vs. Josh Allen? Are you kidding me? Two electric quarterbacks will square off against defenses that have seen better days.
Both defenses have underperformed this season as they have struggled to make key stops in crucial moments of games. With Seattle’s passing defense struggling to eliminate big plays and the Bills without linebacker Matt Milano, look for both teams to try and pick each other apart through the air.
Prediction: Bills 34, Seahawks 31
Merekat’s Prediction:
A mid-season clash between winning teams led by two of the most electric quarterbacks in football.
Ooooh, buddy, this is going to be a good one, folks. I think this one comes down to both teams’ underperforming defenses. Seattle is coming to this one without their top two RBs but is getting some firepower on defense. Josh Allen & the Bills’ offense have slowed these last four games and have a chance to get going against a vulnerable Seattle defense. I think this will be a close shootout. My play on this game would be the over at 55 because what type of Melvin roots for defense?
Prediction: Bills 34, Seahawks 30
INJURY REPORT (officially ruled out):
Seattle Seahawks:
RB- Chris Carson (foot)
RB- Carlos Hyde (hamstring)
Buffalo Bills:
LB- Matt Milano (pectoral)
C- Mitch Morse (concussion)
Bills vs. Seahawks Broadcast:
Kickoff: 1 p.m. (ET) on Sunday at Bills Stadium
TV: FOX (Ch. 6 in Buffalo, Ch. 31. in Rochester, Ch. 68 in Syracuse)
RADIO: WGR 550 AM (Buffalo), WROC 950 AM (Rochester), 106.5 FM (Syracuse)
Betting lines:
- Money line: Seahawks by 3 (Over/under at 55)
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