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Bills at Seahawks: 5 storylines to watch for in Week 8

kam towle
·3 min read
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Nov 8, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes the ball as Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) defends during the second quarter at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes the ball as Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) defends during the second quarter at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills will turn to the next page of their 2024 NFL regular season.

Following a 34-10 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 7, the Bills (5-2) will travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks (4-3) at Lumen Field.

But before we even get to kickoff, there will be a lot of Bills-related discussions and conversations to be had throughout the coming days.

Here are five storylines to watch for during the lead-up to Bills vs. Seahawks:

Allen's first trip to Seattle

Oct 6, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs off the field before the Bills punt to the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Oct 6, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs off the field before the Bills punt to the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

It's a little weird to think that Josh Allen still hasn't played in some stadiums around the NFL given that he's been in the league since 2018. But, the Bills haven't traveled to Seattle since 2016. This will be a new experience for the Bills' QB1.

To this point in his career, Allen is an impressive 21-6 against the NFC. He'll be looking for win number 22 in a foreign land.

DK Metcalf's knee injury

SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 10: DK Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on October 10, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 10: DK Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on October 10, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Seahawks Pro-Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf has been dealing with a knee injury that popped up in Week 7. It's been ruled a "minor MCL sprain" and his status for Sunday's game vs. the Bills is up in the air.

"You guys know DK... he's going to probably do anything humanly possible to be able to play in this game," said head coach Mike Macdonald this week.

Metcalf is currently third in the NFL in receiving yards with 568 through seven games. His ability to stretch the field for Seattle's pass-heavy approach would be sorely missed if he can't go.

Cooper with a full week of practice

Oct 20, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (18) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (18) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Wide receiver Amari Cooper amazingly put on a show in Week 7 given his limited opportunities. He put up 66 yards and a touchdown after being on the team for just a few days. And he did it while being on the field for just 35% of snaps.

By just being himself, Cooper can elevate his teammates' play around him. Now, with Cooper getting a full week in with his new team, it will be interesting to see how the offense looks as a whole with Cooper getting more snaps.

A test for Bills defense

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Dorian Williams #42 of the Buffalo Bills reacts during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Dorian Williams #42 of the Buffalo Bills reacts during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

No matter which way you slice it, the Seahawks have the eighth-best offense in the NFL. They currently rank eighth in both yards per game (368.3) and points per game (25.7).

Their specialty on offense under play caller Shane Waldron is passing the ball. They average the most passing yards per game in the NFL (270.9) and quarterback Geno Smith has attempted the most passes in the NFL (279) by a pretty large margin. And, although they don't run it much, they are effective when they do. This will be a test for the Bills' defense, especially on the road.

Running back usage

Oct 6, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) hands off to running back James Cook (4) during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Oct 6, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) hands off to running back James Cook (4) during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Having multiple productive running backs is a great problem to have for an offense, and that's what the Bills have right now. Lead-back James Cook has been good for the Bills, and rookie Ray Davis has come on as of late as well.

Over the last two games, Davis is averaging 5.5 yards per rush and made a big play in the passing game to boot. How the Bills handle the snaps and usage of these two will be something to keep an eye on.

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Bills at Seahawks: 5 storylines to watch for in Week 8