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

nick wojton
·2 min read
Nov 8, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) prepares to be tackled by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks (56) in the fourth quarter at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) prepares to be tackled by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks (56) in the fourth quarter at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills (5-2) roll on in their 2024 regular season journey with a matchup on the road against the Seattle Seahawks (4-3) at Lumen Field.

All week, topics and storylines have been discussed ahead of these two cross-conference foes facing off.

In the end, regardless of what is said by players, coaches, media outlets and fans, it always comes down to what unfolds on the field in the NFL.

And once the battle arrives, there will be a few particular things to keep in mind to look out for.

With that, are five things to watch for during Sunday's Bills-Seahawks matchup:

Cross-country travel

Bills head coach Sean McDermott looks at the replay on the screen during first half action at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Oct. 20, 2024.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott looks at the replay on the screen during first half action at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Oct. 20, 2024.

This is the first time in 2024 that Buffalo will travel all the way out to the west coast. They will again in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. There's always a little bit of an extra layer when a team has to travel such a distance for a game. Does this affect the Bills at all?

Filling in for Bernard

Oct 16, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard (43) warms up against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard (43) warms up against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Bills will be without Terrel Bernard in this one. The linebacker went down twice during last week's win against the Titans, the second was an ankle injury. Bernard's impact on Buffalo's defense as a leader and in the stat chart will be missed. The backup starting will be Baylon Spector and he'll need to step up.

Passing games

Oct 23, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) is sacked by Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Morgan Fox (56) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) is sacked by Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Morgan Fox (56) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Bills are going to face the No. 1 passing attack in the NFL on Sunday. While the Seahawks might be without wide receiver DK Metcalf, they still have other weapons that quarterback Geno Smith will rely on. This could potentially be a shootout between these two teams and it will be a big test for Buffalo's secondary.

Full week for Amari

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Amari Cooper #18 of the Buffalo Bills warms up prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Amari Cooper #18 of the Buffalo Bills warms up prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

Wide receiver Amari Cooper amazingly put on a show in Week 7 given his limited opportunities. He had 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 percent of snaps. With now a full week in the Bills offense, will Cooper have an even bigger output in Seattle?

Turnovers

Oct 14, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) during the first half of their game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Oct 14, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) during the first half of their game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

While Smith is having a good season in terms of passing yards, the turnover department has not been his friend. Smith only has two games in 2024 where he has not thrown an interception.

On the other hand, Allen has not thrown a single interception the entire year. The turnovers and giveaway always play a part and they certainly could in this one.

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