Week 8 NFL Preview: 5 Seattle Seahawks vs. Buffalo Bills Predictions

Good morning and happy Sunday, Seattle Seahawks fans! We're just a few hours away from the Seahawks' final game of October and it's set to be a cracker against the Buffalo Bills. With the Detroit Lions they were competitive against a Super Bowl contender. Can they go one step further and take out one of the AFC's best? I will give my prediction shortly.

Here's a look back first Last week's predictions:

Bold Prediction: No sacks allowed for Michael Jerrell

The only sack against Geno Smith came from Michael Jerrell's effort. PFF didn't charge Jerrell for the sack, which I don't agree with when I watch the replay, but if they're implying that the sack was really Geno's fault for not getting rid of the ball sooner, I'll adopt their definition , just to make a right decision bold prediction for me.

Seahawks Offense Prediction: “Dome Geno” throws for 350 yards

Smith threw for 207 yards, but he didn't even need 300 yards. I'm happy to accept if I was wrong here.

Seahawks Defense Prediction: Byron Murphy II records a sack

No. But I have a TFL!

Opponent Prediction: Drake London has over 100 receiving yards and a touchdown

Landing? Yes. Over 100 meters? Not even close.

Game Prediction: Seahawks lose a shootout

I said 38-31. The Seahawks did their part by scoring over 30 points, but the Seahawks defense ensured it didn't become a shootout.

Pretty terrible predictions, but a few of them were predictions I wish I hadn't been right about.

We're going again this week!

Bold Prediction: Noah Fant gets his first touchdown in almost two seasons

Noah Fant has done everything but get to the end zone this season. He got off to a slow start in the first few weeks and perhaps his foot injury played a role, but Fant was a very efficient target for Geno Smith. He caught the last 21 passes for 238 yards. Fant had almost as many first downs (14) in seven games as he had all of last season (16). The only thing Fant hasn't done is score a touchdown, which he failed to do at all in 2023. For Noah's final trip to the end zone, you have to go back and waste time against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Eve.

With DK Metcalf not expected to play and Buffalo hampered by the lack of standout center fielder Terrel Bernard, I can see Fant being more involved in the offense as a pass catcher (particularly off play). I think the drought is ending now. Fant will get his TD.

Seahawks Offensive Prediction: Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet combine for over 100 yards

This will be the sixth game that Seattle's two best running backs have played together. Walker rushed for over 100 yards in the season opener against the Denver Broncos, while Charbonnet managed 12 yards. This is the only time they scored a combination of 100 on the ground. The closest they came to repeating that feat was when Walker scored 80 points and Charbonnet scored 15 points against the Detroit Lions.

We've seen Ryan Grubb put a little more effort into establishing some sort of running game. The performance against the San Francisco 49ers was forced and terrible, while the Atlanta Falcons game was significantly better without being anything special.

Buffalo averaged 5.1 yards per carry allowed, but that number is greatly skewed by Derrick Henry and Co.'s monster night, when the Baltimore Ravens had over 270 yards on the ground. Statistically, they are a good run defense according to DVOA and EPA/Play, but they are not impenetrable. On the road, they gave up 199 yards to Henry, 113 yards to Breece Hall and 96 yards to De'Von Achane. With Terrel Bernard missing and defensive tackle DeWayne Carter also out due to injury, the Bills' defensive depth will be tested. I have a feeling we'll see some good play from Walker, some usable carries from Charbonnet, and a focus on attacking Buffalo's defensive front from a rushing attack that hasn't really gotten going yet.

Seahawks Defense Prediction: They will be the first team to intercept Josh Allen

Remember the whole Josh Allen wiretapping discourse? He threw 18 last season and has thrown double-digit INTs in almost every season of his career. Allen has made up for the picks by being extremely productive (at least since 2020). Yes, he's prone to some stupid plays and some very risky decisions, but that's usually how he was.

In any case, Josh Allen threw no interceptions on 189 attempts. He lost two fumbles, which are Buffalo's only giveaways all season. Allen handles the ball better than ever and still managed 15 total touchdowns.

And this is the day he will be chosen. The Seahawks got their interception mojo back last Sunday when Julian Love and Coby Bryant made two throws against Kirk Cousins. With Riq Woolen back in the lineup, I think he will be tested by Josh and announce his return with an INT. The expected rainy day could affect his accuracy enough to result in a few missed throws and the possibility of a turnover or two.

Opponent Prediction: Josh Allen will not be sacked

The Seahawks have a very good pass rush. The Bills have a very good offensive line and a quarterback who is incredibly difficult to sack. Allen's sack rate is just 4.55%, which is outstanding. We've seen Seattle struggle at times to convert that pressure into sacks, and Allen is phenomenal at escaping pressure.

Josh Allen is an exceptional athlete for someone his size, and while that doesn't mean he'll avoid coercion, it does mean Allen will do everything in his power to avoid getting fired… and he'll succeed .

Game Prediction: The Seahawks lose by a narrow margin

When I appeared on the Bill Ieve Podcast with John Boccacino, I said that the Seahawks would lose 31-27 in a game where whoever had the ball last would win. I didn't know about the weather forecast for Sunday, which is not conducive to shootout football.

The concept remains the same: I imagine the Seahawks will be competitive with one of the top teams in the league, but come up just short. Score a touchdown from either team and consider it a 24-20 Bills win. But unlike the Falcons and 49ers games where I didn't expect to win at all, I wouldn't be surprised if Seattle pulled off the upset this time.