Sunday, December 16, 2012

Week 15 AFC East game picks: Seahawks at Bills

Lead writer Nick St. Denis and AFC East Daily contributors Dan Begnoche and Sean Donovan pick the Buffalo Bills' Toronto Series matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.

Nick's take:
It'll be fun to again see C.J. Spiller in the expanded role he deserves. However, the fact that the Bills are playing it what essentially amounts to a neutral site in Toronto eliminates Buffalo's only other edge. Seattle hasn't traveled well overall this season, but it won't be playing a true "away" game on this trip. Seattle could do some major damage if Ryan Fitzpatrick is even just a little careless with the football.
Prediction: Seahawks 22, Bills 14 (Nick's record: 32-10)

Dan's take:
Despite the team's push for a playoff bid, Marshawn Lynch tramples all over his former team's hopes and pushes his new squad into the playoffs. Seattle's secondary, allowing less than 200 yards a game, keeps Fitzpatrick in check and forces the Bills' offense to rely far too much on Spiller. Buffalo sadly misses the playoffs for the 13th straight season.
Prediction: Seahawks 22, Bills 17 (Dan's record: 25-17)

Sean's take:
Seattle seems to be shaping into one of the NFL's truly elite teams, with a dynamic rookie quarterback, a bruising running back and a ravenous defense. It all spells trouble for the Bills, whose biggest advantage is that the game is played in the Eastern Time Zone. Seattle ultimately prevails on the back of Lynch, who dominates the team that drafted him.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Bills 14 (Sean's record: 32-10)