BY DAN BEGNOCHE
The Buffalo Bills (5-8) head to their home away from home, Toronto's Rogers Centre, to take on the Seattle Seahawks, (8-5) who have won their last two and appear playoff bound.
Buffalo will need to stifle former Bill Marshawn Lynch if it's going to have a chance, and all eyes will be on C.J. Spiller now that he's the team's exclusive tailback. (photo: Neal D, Flickr)
DECIDING FACTORS:
Crossing the border. For as much as games on the other side of Niagara Falls have helped NFL promotion, it hasn't done much for the Bills' record. The team is 1-3 since starting its cross-border agreement, with the lone win coming last year against the Redskins. The outcome of this weekend's game could fuel more debate on the team's contract extension in Toronto, as the approval the league handed down has yet to be finalized by the team.
Running wild. With Fred Jackson's designation to IR, Spiller once again becomes the featured back in the Buffalo offense. Spiller still leads all backs in yards per touch, and expect him to get plenty this weekend in an offense that seems to ebb and flow on his performance. Seattle's stout defense has been unusually porous of late, allowing more than 130 yards on the ground in two of its last three games.
Family reunion. The return of Lynch will certainly be bittersweet for Bills fans, given how he may hold the fate of their team's season in his hands. Lynch is second behind Adrian Peterson for the most yards in the league, averaging nearly 5 yards a clip in the process. Buffalo's 28th-ranked rush defense doesn't help instill any confidence, although the team's front has allowed less than 70 yards on the ground in its last four games.
Blowout or bust. Seattle has had some close games this season, and its record coming out of them hasn't been great. Nine of the team's games have been decided by 7 points or less, including all five of team's losses. On the other hand, when Seattle wins, they win big. Besides the 58-point walloping the team gave Arizona last week, the Seahawks also have a 21-point victory over the Jets and a 20-pointer over the Cowboys.
DECIDING FACTORS:
Crossing the border. For as much as games on the other side of Niagara Falls have helped NFL promotion, it hasn't done much for the Bills' record. The team is 1-3 since starting its cross-border agreement, with the lone win coming last year against the Redskins. The outcome of this weekend's game could fuel more debate on the team's contract extension in Toronto, as the approval the league handed down has yet to be finalized by the team.
Running wild. With Fred Jackson's designation to IR, Spiller once again becomes the featured back in the Buffalo offense. Spiller still leads all backs in yards per touch, and expect him to get plenty this weekend in an offense that seems to ebb and flow on his performance. Seattle's stout defense has been unusually porous of late, allowing more than 130 yards on the ground in two of its last three games.
Family reunion. The return of Lynch will certainly be bittersweet for Bills fans, given how he may hold the fate of their team's season in his hands. Lynch is second behind Adrian Peterson for the most yards in the league, averaging nearly 5 yards a clip in the process. Buffalo's 28th-ranked rush defense doesn't help instill any confidence, although the team's front has allowed less than 70 yards on the ground in its last four games.
Blowout or bust. Seattle has had some close games this season, and its record coming out of them hasn't been great. Nine of the team's games have been decided by 7 points or less, including all five of team's losses. On the other hand, when Seattle wins, they win big. Besides the 58-point walloping the team gave Arizona last week, the Seahawks also have a 21-point victory over the Jets and a 20-pointer over the Cowboys.
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A week in Bills posts at AFCEastDaily.com:
Week 15 AFC East game picks: Seahawks at Bills
Return game pivotal in Bills' matchup with Seahawks
Johnson on Bills in Toronto: 'It isn't a home game'
Spiller hopes his friend Lynch has 'worst game ever'
Around-the-Web AFC East power rankings: Week 15
Film Review: Rams' game-winning drive vs. Bills
Fitzpatrick: Bills have made progress under Gailey
Bills tailback Jackson likely done for rest of season
Spiller 'won't pout' despite getting 8 touches in loss
Return game pivotal in Bills' matchup with Seahawks
Johnson on Bills in Toronto: 'It isn't a home game'
Spiller hopes his friend Lynch has 'worst game ever'
Around-the-Web AFC East power rankings: Week 15
Film Review: Rams' game-winning drive vs. Bills
Fitzpatrick: Bills have made progress under Gailey
Bills tailback Jackson likely done for rest of season
Spiller 'won't pout' despite getting 8 touches in loss
