Top 3 Individual Matchups
1 - Cordy Glenn vs. Cliff AvrilGlenn will be facing Seattle's best speed rusher. Avril leads the Seahawks in sacks with 7.5. The two have never faced one another before in a regular season game, so the chess match will be an interesting one to watch unfold.
2 - Jerry Hughes vs. Garry GilliamThis could be the week that Hughes gets to eat. Much of the pass protection has been steered Hughes' way through the first half of the season allowing Lorenzo Alexander to benefit. Gilliam will need help with Hughes relentless style of play, but if Alexander and Shaq Lawson are also on the field they can't double everyone.
3 - John Miller vs. Ahtyba RubinSigned as a free agent last year from Cleveland, Rubin has been a dependable run stuffer and is tough to move off his spot to clear rush lanes. Miller will need to be technique sound on a consistent basis to dig Rubin up and off the line of scrimmage to make room for LeSean McCoy and Mike Gillislee.
Bills Top 2 Advantages
Good advantage - Run gameLeSean McCoy stands a good chance to return to the lineup, and though the Seahawks have a top 10 run defense, Buffalo has been able to run on the best teams in the league. The Bills should be able to do what they do best effectively enough, especially if McCoy is ready to roll.
Best advantage - Pass rushBuffalo leads the league in sack percentage and is tied for the league lead in sacks (26). With Russell Wilson's mobility limited by injury and the Bills pass rush even stronger now with Shaq Lawson in the lineup, Wilson could be under duress for long stretches of the game.
Bills Number 1 Must
Early leadThe Bills function best when they get on the scoreboard first. It allows them to proceed with their run game and mix in play action. An early lead will also help to keep the din at Century Link Field at a manageable level. This won't be easy because Seattle has outscored their opponents 31-6 in the first quarter this season, but aside from a lopsided turnover margin, it's Buffalo's best chance for a primetime road win.
Scouting Eye
Turning down the heatHe doesn't lead the Seahawks in sacks, but Michael Bennett is probably the most consistently disruptive pass rushing force in Seattle's defensive front. Bennett, however underwent knee surgery Wednesday and will miss Monday night's game. They still have Cliff Avril and Frank Clark to rush the passer, but Bennett has been a force this season and will be missed. Seattle added Damontre Moore to the roster knowing they'll be without Bennett for a few weeks.
Wilson missing wheelsIt's evident to anyone watching Seattle game tape. Russell Wilson does not have the same mobility that he's had in previous seasons due to a high ankle sprain and MCL knee injury. It's allowed opponents to key more on Seattle's running backs without fear of Wilson leaking out around the edge to make rushing yards on his own. Wilson has just 44 rushing yards in seven games this season and is averaging just 1.8 yards per carry. Last season after seven games Wilson had 271 rushing yards and was averaging 5.2 yards per carry.
Run downMissing Wilson's legs has hurt the run game, but the Seahawks have had trouble filling the void left by the retired Marshawn Lynch. Thomas Rawls is unlikely to play with a leg injury and Christine Michael, though effective in the red zone has had limited success in between the 20s. As a result Seattle is averaging just a shade over 80 rushing yards a game to rank 28th in the league.
Chancellor return?Seahawks SS Kam Chancellor has missed the last three games with a groin injury. Chancellor (6-3, 225) is known as an intimidating hitter in Seattle's secondary and strong in the run front. Replacing him in the lineup has been fifth-year safety Kelcie McCray, who isn't too much smaller than Chancellor at 6-2 and 202 pounds. McCray is more of a box safety and his coverage abilities come second.
Points hard to come byMuch has been made about Seattle's struggles to score points this season. The Seahawks are averaging less than 19 points per game. But their opponents have found it even more difficult to put points on the board. That's because Seattle's 'D' is stingy in giving up anything. They're fourth in yards per play allowed (4.9), second in points allowed (102 in 7 gms) and first in red zone defense (39% TD pct). Surprisingly, they've done it with solid straight up defense as they have just seven takeaways on the year. Opponents are averaging just 14.5 points per game.
Lopsided in prime timeThe Seahawks are big fans of the prime time lights, especially on Monday night. The Seahawks currently have the second longest winning streak in Monday night history, winning their last 10 in a row. Their .733 winning percentage on Monday night is the best in the NFL. The Seahawks are 15-3-1 in prime time games under head coach Pete Carroll since 2010.
**Buffalo Chips
Quote of the week
"It's a very big game for us, especially coming off of two losses. [We're] going out there and playing a very good team. It's definitely a big road game for us and just a big game for the season. Guys are definitely excited for the opportunity to go out there and show what we could do, and showcase it in front of the world on Monday Night Football." --QB Tyrod Taylor**
Stat of the weekThe Bills are 3-0 against the NFC West this season.
Milestones in reachZach Brown (87) needs three tackles to set a franchise mark for most tackles through the first nine games of a season (Kiko Alonso, 89 - 2013).
Leger Douzable will play in his 100th career game.
LeSean McCoy needs 44 yards from scrimmage to reach 11,000 in his career.
Final noteIn his last two games against the NFC West, Tyrod Taylor has four touchdowns and no interceptions with a 104.8 passer rating.
