Bills at Seahawks -- Week 15
Where: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada (turf, indoors)
When: Sunday, 4:05 p.m., ET (Fox)
Spread: Seahawks by 5.5
Records: Bills (5-8, AFC East 1-3); Seahawks (8-5, NFC West 1-3)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Sept. 7, 2008: Bills 34, Seahawks 10; November 28, 2004: Bills 38, Seahawks 9. Series record: Seahawks lead 6-5.
What matters: The RB battle. The Bills are quite familiar with Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch, who was traded to Seattle from Buffalo a little over two years ago. The trade worked out for both teams -- the Bills are still loaded at RB with C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson (though Jackson will miss the final three games of the season), and Lynch has been the Seahawks’ workhorse on offense. Buffalo’s run defense has been much improved over the past month; after fielding one of the worst run defenses in the league in the first half of the season, the Bills have allowed an average of 3.1 yards per carry since Week 10 -- which is tied with Tampa Bay for the lowest average in the league over that time. Spiller has been lights out for the Bills this year -- his average of 6.55 yards per carry is the second-highest by any NFL RB since 1960 (with a minimum of 130 carries through 13 games).
The Bills need to give Spiller the ball, though -- he had just seven carries in the Week 14 loss to St. Louis.
Who matters: Lynch, Spiller, Fitzpatrick, Seattle QB Russell Wilson, Bills DE Mario Williams. Lynch (1,266 yards, 9 TDs) will be motivated to perform against his former team. He’s known for his physical running style, which could create problems for Buffalo’s underwhelming LB unit. LBs Kelvin Sheppard, Nick Barnett and Nigel Bradham will need to be prepared for Lynch’s power and physicality. The Bills are 25th in the league in passing and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick’s inconsistent play is the biggest reason for Buffalo’s 5-8 record. Fitzpatrick was unable to come up with a big play to put away the St. Louis Rams in Week 14 (25 of 33, 247 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT). The Bills will need more from him against an impressive Seattle defense. The Bills are probably kicking themselves for passing on Wilson in the draft. The rookie QB has been terrific for the Seahawks (2,492 yards, 20 TDs, 9 INTs) and is exactly what the Bills as a franchise have been trying to find for so many years. Wilson never appears to get rattled, and it will up to be Buffalo’s defensive line -- led by DE Mario Williams -- to try and create some pressure.
Key matchups: Bills WR Stevie Johnson vs. Seahawks CB Richard Sherman, Bills DE Mario Williams vs. Seahawks RT Breno Giacomini. The Seahawks are without one of their top cornerbacks in Brandon Browner, who is suspended for the final four games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Sherman received the same four-game suspension from the league but is appealing his suspension, meaning he can play until the appeal is heard. He’ll have a tough task in Johnson, Buffalo’s top WR. Johnson had a big game against St. Louis (6 receptions for 71 yards) while dealing with a minor hamstring injury. Johnson looks to be back to 100 percent this week. Williams (10.5 sacks, 6 sacks in the last four weeks) has impressed ever since undergoing wrist surgery in Week 8. The Bills will need him to keep his hot streak going against the impressive Wilson.
Injuries of note: C Eric Wood (knee) is out but has a chance of returning for Buffalo’s final two games. DE Mark Anderson (knee) may return against the Seahawks; he’s been out since injuring his left knee in Week 5. WR Donald Jones (calf) had a setback on Friday and is listed as questionable; if he can’t go, that’s a significant blow on offense. LB Nick Barnett (knee) missed practices on Wednesday and Thursday but is expected to play.
Inside stuff: The Bills may be all but mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not taking the final three games of their season lightly. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick gathered the offense together after Wednesday’s practice and gave a passionate speech about finishing the year on a high note.
Connections: Lynch was chosen by the Bills with the 12th overall pick in the 2007 draft before being traded to Seattle in 2010. Backup Bills QB Tarvaris Jackson started 14 games for the Seahawks one year ago. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll began his coaching career with the Bills as a defensive backs coach in 1984.
Stat you should know: This game features two of the top rushing attacks in the entire NFL. The Seahawks are fourth in the league in rushing (152.3 yards per game) and the Bills are sixth (141.2 yards per game).
Record watch: Spiller needs 56 yards to record his first 1,000-yard season in the NFL.
Looking ahead: The Bills end the season with games against two division opponents who are also struggling -- Miami and the New York Jets.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Bills 13
For more updates on the Bills, follow correspondent Mark Ludwiczak on Twitter @CBSBillsand @MarkLud12.
