Buffalo Rumblings
Breaking down the key positional battles and matchups to watch in this showdown of playoff squads from last year
The Buffalo Bills (5-2) are seeking their third straight victory when they travel to Lumen Field to take on the Seattle Seahawks (4-3) on Sunday afternoon in a matchup of first-place teams. This is Buffalo’s first trip to the Pacific Northwest since the 2016 season.
To get you ready for the game, today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks previews the key matchups to watch as Buffalo looks to maintain its lead in the AFC East with a win in a hostile environment.
Led by quarterback Geno Smith, the Seahawks lead the NFL in passing yards per game (283.6), and Seattle is averaging 25.7 points per game — tied for eighth-best in the NFL, despite Smith playing behind an injured offensive line that has allowed him to be pressured on 36% of his dropbacks.
Linked below: breaking down Smith and Seattle’s passing attack, which most likely will be without DK Metcalf, who is doubtful after suffering an MCL sprain in last week’s win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Defensively, this is a Seahawks unit that can be scored upon. Seattle is surrendering 23.4 ppg. First-year head coach Mike Macdonald came to Seattle after making a name for himself as the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator — a squad that caused quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense troubles in Week 4. Read about the similarities between what this defense likes to run — excelling with simulated pressure and fourth in the NFL in pressure rate (40.4%) and ninth in sack percentage (8%) — and what Baltimore’s defense did to confuse Allen.
The Seahawks are vulnerable on the ground, allowing five yards per carry — a good sign for running backs James Cook, Ray Davis and Ty Johnson. Another way the Seahawks are vulnerable is through the play-action pass. One of the best matchups to watch will be Cooper, Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid go up against a talented Seahawks secondary, led by nickel cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
