A cross-conference matchup between two teams sitting atop their respective divisions, the Seattle Seahawks travel to Orchard Park to battle the Bills this Sunday. In the last meeting between these two teams on Monday Night Football in 2016, the Seahawks edged out the Bills 31-25 in a back and forth affair. Fresh off a 24-21 victory over their arch-rival New England Patriots in week 8, the Bills are now a full two games ahead of the Miami Dolphins in the win column as they look to capture their first division crown since 1995. Dynamite on offense like they have been all season long, the Seahawks edged out the slumping 49ers 37-27 in week 8. The frontrunner for the NFL’s MVP award, Russell Wilson tossed four scores in the victory to keep Seattle in the driver’s seat for home field in the NFC playoffs.
Seahawks
Led by a perennial MVP candidate in Wilson, the Seahawks find themselves 6-1 and atop the NFC. He has been putting on a throwing clinic all season long. Seattle’s QB has thrown 26 touchdown passes to just six interceptions through eight weeks of the season. With the Buffalo defense struggling mightily over the past few weeks, expect the Seahawks offense to have another strong performance in this one. Currently ranked 14th in the league in points against, the Bills have allowed opposing offenses to rush for over 134 yards against them this season while converting over 50 percent of third downs.
As the Seahawks running back room is banged up heading into this one with lead back Chris Carson already ruled out with a foot injury and rookie Deejay Dallas expected to handle the rushing duties once again, look for Seattle to throw the ball significantly in this matchup. Getting some help on defense after an up and down start to their 2020 campaign, Seattle will welcome veteran pass rusher Carlos Dunlap to the team after acquiring him via trade. Along with this, the team is expected to have safety Jamal Adams back to help slow down a much-improved Bills passing attack.
Bills
Squeaking out victories over the past few weeks, the Bills have yet to play a full 60 minutes of football since their week 4 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Splitting their last four games with wins over the Jets and Patriots and losses to the Titans and defending world champion Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo’s passing attack will look to get back on track in this one. After tossing 12 touchdowns to just one interception to open his 2020 campaign, quarterback Josh Allen has seen that number drop to just four passing scores to four interceptions in his last four contests.
Currently ranked 32nd in the NFL in pass defense with over 358 yards per game given up on average, Seattle’s group has been unable to slow down opposing quarterbacks this season. Naturally, offenses average over 28 points per game against them. Needing a game to get back on track through the air, Brian Daboll’s group should have plenty of opportunities to take shots down the field on Sunday. Causing problems for opposing quarterbacks throughout the season, Sean McDermott’s group has 19 sacks already through eight games. Needing another big game along the defensive line to slow down Wilson and the high powered Seahawks offense, look for this one to come down to the battle in the trenches with the Bills hoping to keep the all-pro quarterback uncomfortable all game long.
Game Info
Date: November 8, 2020
Start Time: 1 P.M. EST
Location: Orchard Park, NY
Stadium: Bills Stadium
TV Info: FOX
Betting Odds Sponsored by Jazz Sportsbook
Points Spread: SEA -3.5 (-110) | BUF+3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: SEA -160 | BUF +130
Over/Under: O 55 (-110) | U 55 (-110)
Opening at -2.5 for the away team, this line has moved a full point to -3.5 for the Seahawks. This is a battle of two high-powered offenses. Take the over 55 points in this one with a lot of scoring expected on Sunday. Looking at the line, Wilson and company have been playing too well over eight weeks. With the Bills offense struggling the past four games, swallow the three and a half points and take Seattle to cover.
Prediction
A rare matchup between these two teams should be one of the most exciting games on the week 9 slate. If the Bills passing attack is able to get back on track against an undermanned Seahawks defense, it could lead to an upset in Orchard Park. However, with Wilson on a historic pace this season and with Seattle having the depth at wide receiver to give Buffalo’s defense all sorts of problems, look for Pete Carroll’s team to get the victory in this one and improve to 7-1 on the year.
Final Score: Seahawks 35 Bills 27
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Main Credit Image: Embed from Getty Images
