Buffalo offense vs. Seattle defense

	BILLS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	7
	Pass	18
	Tot. Yds.	13
	Scoring	17
	Int's allowed	6
	Sacks allowed	10
	SEAHAWKS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	22
	vs. Pass	22
	Total yds. allowed	22
	No. of INTs	11
	No. of Sacks	14
	Turnover differential	-3

Buffalo offensive coordinator Joe Pendry abandoned the run far too early last week, considering the fact that RB Antowain Smith ripped off a 52-yard touchdown on his second carry of the day. Buffalo running backs carried the ball a total of ten times against the Raiders but Pendry will have no choice but to stick to the ground this week because of WR Eric Moulds' absence. If Buffalo commits to running the ball they should have success against a surprisingly soft Seahawks defense that is giving up 112.4 yards per game (4.1 avg.).

Seattle played the run well last week, holding San Diego's Natrone Means to just 35 yards on 17 carries. The Bills cannot let Seattle's success last week deter them from pounding the football with Smith. Means was playing on two tender ankles and the Chargers don't have a punishing lead blocker like Sam Gash. Seattle's linebacker trio combined for just 16 tackles last week but that total should have been much higher if it weren't for such shoddy tackling. Defensive coordinator Jim Lind's defense will be in for a long afternoon if they try to arm-tackle Smith.

QB Doug Flutie endured his worst game of the season last week (19-41, 210, 1 TD, 3 INT) but give the Raiders credit for an outstanding defensive effort. Flutie's problems were a result of creative game-planning and solid execution by Oakland's defense. The biggest reason for the Bills' struggles in the passing game was the tight man coverage on the perimeter, which forced Flutie to thread the ball to receivers who had little or no separation from the DC.

Seattle DCs Willie Williams and Shawn Springs should rise to the occasion this week without playmaker Moulds in the lineup. Buffalo will find it difficult to implement their normal game plan without Moulds because rookie Peerless Price simply doesn't have the game experience to immediately be a factor in the deep passing game. Price has struggled getting a clean release off the line of scrimmage and will be jammed by Springs on the majority of passing downs. In fact, Price's inability to get open resulted in interceptions the only two times Flutie threw his way last week.

The offensive line did a great job in pass protection last week but the loss of All-Pro LOG Rueben Brown hurts this unit. Don't be shocked if backup Jamie Nails holds his own against RDT Cortez Kennedy. Nails matches up well size-wise with Kennedy and he excels in short set pass protection against bull rushers like Kennedy.

Lost in the team's 71.4 per game rushing average (2.7 per carry) is the lackluster play of OC Kevin Glover and LOG Pete Kendall. These are two players that the team counted on prior to the season that just aren't getting it done. RB Rickey Watters is running hard but opposing LBs are having success shooting gaps into the backfield before Watters has a chance to make them miss.

Buffalo entered last week's loss to Oakland with the No. 1 run defense in the league but they were subsequently steamrolled by Tyrone Wheatley and Co. for 195 yards. Buffalo will sorely miss the play of run-specialist John Holecek, who was lost early in the first quarter last week. Joe Cummings doesn't have the same instincts as Holecek nor does he share the same chemistry with fellow ILB Sam Cowert. Look for the Seahawks to pound the ball inside early to test the newcomer. Cummings will be slower to the hole than Holecek, which should give lead blocker FB Reggie Brown a good chance to size him up.

QB Jon Kitna didn't have a horrible game last week (17-29, 151 yds., 1 TD, 1 INT) but he didn't go downfield with enough frequency. For the first time all season, Seattle's passing game clearly missed the deep speed of WR Joey Galloway. Help could return in the form of Charles Jordan this week, who has been sidelined since the opener with a hamstring injury. While Jordan cannot compare to Galloway, he will at least give the Seahawks a receiver that can threaten the deep third of the field.

A big key for Buffalo on Sunday will be the play of their safeties. Both FS Kurt Schultz and SS Henry Jones had crucial pass interference calls last week because they were caught out of position. Buffalo doesn't have much experience defending the West Coast system and it is imperative this duo play smarter this week.