5 Things to Watch in the Buffalo Bills vs. Seattle Seahawks Week 8 Matchup

1. Seattle’s New Coaching Regime
After Pete Carroll’s 14-year tenure, the Seahawks entered a new era, bringing in former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald as head coach, Cowboys’ defensive line coach Aden Durde as defensive coordinator, and Huskies’ offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb as OC. Macdonald, now the league’s youngest head coach at 37, has established an aggressive defense, pressuring opponents on 40.4% of dropbacks this season, ranking fourth-highest. Bills head coach Sean McDermott praised Macdonald’s impact, saying, “He’s done a great job creating a culture in his own way.” Bills safety Taylor Rapp, a former Washington Husky, noted Seattle’s shift toward a more pass-heavy approach, now leading the league in passing rate at 66.5%.

2. Lockdown Cornerbacks
Both the Bills and Seahawks have standout cornerbacks who could force the quarterbacks to rely on different offensive strategies. Seattle’s Riq Woolen, who just returned from an ankle injury, allows a league-best 16.3 passer rating in coverage, while Devon Witherspoon has given up just three receptions for 12 yards in man coverage. The Bills may need to focus on short passes or runs to counter this strong Seattle secondary. ESPN’s Mina Kimes suggested that Buffalo could find success using play-action to exploit Seattle’s recent struggles against the run, having allowed 186 rushing yards per game over the past three weeks.

3. Opportunities for Big Plays
The Bills are focusing on strong starts after a slow beginning against the Titans. Although Seattle has talented defensive backs, their defense ranks 21st in yards allowed and has given up the fifth-most 20+ yard plays in the league. Dan Orlovsky, an ESPN analyst, encouraged the Bills to be aggressive with downfield throws and play-action setups, given Seattle’s inconsistencies at pressuring the quarterback.

4.Geno Smith’s Renaissance
Geno Smith has led the league in passing yards this season, impressing with his command of the Seahawks’ offense. McDermott acknowledged Smith’s growth, calling it “very impressive.” However, Smith has been sacked 20 times, the second-most in the league, which gives the Bills a potential edge if they can pressure him consistently.

5. Turnover Battle
Buffalo leads the league in turnover differential (+10), helped by Josh Allen’s league-best zero interceptions through seven games. Allen credited his success to improved decision-making and strong coaching. The Bills’ defense has also been effective, ranking seventh in takeaways with 12. Seattle, on the other hand, has struggled with turnovers, holding a -3 differential. This disparity in turnover efficiency could be a major factor on Sunday, with McDermott noting how critical ball security has been in their wins.