The 4-2-1 Seattle Seahawks face the 4-4 Buffalo Bills on Monday night at CenturyLink Field. I had a chance to correspond with Nick Wojton, Bills beat writer for the Batavia Daily News and Niagara Gazette, for a Q and A to find out more about the Bills:
Question: Buffalo is 4-4. We saw the Bills rattle off four straight wins, but lose their past two. Who are the real Buffalo Bills, and is this the team capable of ending Buffalo’s 16-year playoff drought?
Nick Wojton: That’s the big question, can the drought finally end. Buffalo has actually been three teams this year, not two. The Bills clearly came out of the gate flat. Then they ripped off a couple in a row after firing offensive coordinator Greg Roman and replacing him with RB coach Anthony Lynn, and now they’re a top-5 [running] team. In regards to injuries, Tyrod [Taylor, Buffalo’s quarterback] is missing his top 4 targets (Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin, and Greg Salas). Toss in Shady [running back LeSean McCoy] for now for good measure.
The Bills will go as far as Shady takes them. Leading up to the game Monday it will be “Shady watch” all week for us media types. In games McCoy has more than 100 all-purpose yards, the Bills are 4-0. Under that/missing with injuries, 0-4. To answer, I think they’re somewhere in between and a big piece to that is the week after Seattle, the bye.
Q: Seattle was the NFL’s best running team from 2012-15, but the Seahawks have struggled running the ball the past four weeks. Is Buffalo’s defense one Seattle can kick-start its running game against?
NW: Two weeks ago the Bills fell to the Dolphins 28-25, but it really wasn’t that close. Jay Ajayi ripped off a 200-yard rushing game vs. Buffalo. Aside from that, Buffalo hasn’t been a bad team against the run. Last week Tom Brady just Tom Brady’d them with 4 TDs. Even when the Bills faced the Patriots in Week 4 (16-0 win), LaGarrette Blount was the top rusher in the league. They shut him down.
I think it might be tough for Seattle to get their run game going. DT Marcell Dareus also just returned last week (suspension + injury) and he’s a big piece of the defense as well. Seattle’s success could come in the air. Safety Aaron Williams’ career could be over after another head/neck injury and Stephon Gilmore isn’t good this year. Pro Football Focus has him rated the 90th-best corner in the NFL.
Q: Running back LeSean McCoy has had an excellent 2016, but he missed last Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots because of a hamstring injury. What is McCoy’s status, and how will his presence/absence affect the game?
NW: Shady has been excellent. 2015 he was OK. This year, great. This week will be Shady watch 3.0. We’ll know for sure Friday or Saturday.
Personally, I can see them shutting him down for Seattle. Not out of a lack of respect, but for the Bills’ schedule. Post Seattle is the bye. The last seven games are against AFC teams. Buffalo is 1-4 against the AFC. No way that’s getting you close to the playoffs. They need Shady then.
Additionally, Mike Gillislee is pretty good. 80+ yards last week on only 12 carries. He’s a bruiser instead of an elusive guy like Shady, but he is a capable second. They got away from “Touchdown Mike” last week once Brady started tacking on scores.
Reggie Bush is also terrible, you might be able to hear Bills fans groaning all the way from Buffalo if he’s in the backfield.
Q: Tyrod Taylor is in his second season as Buffalo’s starting quarterback. How has he played this season, and has he progressed from last season?
NW: It’s so tough to judge Tyrod. I personally think he’s falling short of expectations this season. He’s about the same as last season, but this is his second year in a system, so you’d like to see him take a step forward. He’s never thrown for 300+ yards in a league designed for passing, but man can he run.
As prior mentioned, he’s currently throwing to the practice squad, pretty much. And now Percy Harvin. Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin will probably play this week, too. So that will help Taylor.
Q: The Bills brought receiver Percy Harvin, a former Seahawk, out of retirement this week. Will Harvin play against Seattle, and if so what kind of impact can he have?
NW: I think he will play. He didn’t confirm, but said he’d like to. He did play in Buffalo’s system last year. Greg Roman was fired this season, but they’re still using his playbook, one that Percy should know. I also don’t think they’d sign him if they didn’t think he could play this week. They desperately need someone. Anyone. A body.
Where Harvin could help is in the deep passing attack. Goodwin might be the fastest receiver in the league, but he’s always banged up. Sammy too. Tyrod was known for the deep ball last year, but hasn’t thrived there this year. He connected on a deep score with Harvin last year in the season opener. Wouldn’t be surprised to see that play called again on Monday.
Q: So what’s your prediction for Monday’s game?
NW: Seattle is a great team. I think this might be one of those games Buffalo actually surprises some in. They’re 3-0 against the NFC West this season, too. Having said that, Seattle’s got this one 24-17.
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