Sal’s Keys, Notes, and Stats

Seattle, Washington (WGR Sports Radio 550) – The Buffalo Bills will look to win their third straight game on Sunday and improve to 6-2 when they take on the Seahawks at Lumen Field.

To do that, here are my three keys to the game, along with notes and stats:

1.) Dominance of the defensive line

The Seahawks offensive line has struggled this season. That hasn’t stopped them from being the highest passing team in the NFL, throwing the most times (280) and running the second fewest times (151) in the league.

Seattle is starting Mike Jerrell from Division II Findlay College at right tackle, which will be only his second career start (he started last week).

The Bills will be without defensive tackle DeWayne Carter, who was placed on injured reserve Friday, and Von Miller, who is expected to serve the final game of his four-game suspension.

However, Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones are both healthy inside, and Edge Rushers Greg Rousseau and AJ Epenesa are both coming off very strong performances against the Tennessee Titans last week.

They will have opportunities and should take advantage of them when they present themselves.

2). Big games!

This is a game that could be determined by big plays.

Seattle had plenty on both sides of the ball. They allowed nine runs of 20-plus yards, tied for the league lead, and four passes of 40-plus yards.

On offense, last week against the Atlanta Falcons, they had six plays of at least 20 yards, including two for touchdowns.

The Bills’ big-play ability returned last week with six plays of 20-plus yards, including receptions of 57 and 44 yards by Keon Coleman.

There will be more than a few big plays in this game. Whichever team can limit them over the other will be a big key.

3.) Balanced attack

New Bills receiver Amari Cooper made an immediate impact last week, which opened things up for others in the passing game. Four different pass catchers – Cooper, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid – all had at least 50 receiving yards.

This type of efficiency around the roster leads to an ability to keep a defense off-balance, as long as the offense can move the ball effectively. The Seahawks rank 29th in the league in rushing yards per game allowed (4.97) and 29th in yards per game allowed (146.1).

Although the Bills have been good at times running the ball this season, they ran for just 74 yards and 3.8 yards per carry last week against the Titans.

NOTES AND STATISTICS: