The Buffalo Bills have been on the cusp of returning to the Super Bowl for five seasons yet, each year, something goes wrong. Last year, the trouble that reared its ugly head for the Bills fans was the penchant of Josh Allen turning the ball over in the red zone.
How frustrating it was to see the Bills move up and down the field only to have their chances at wins blunted by offensive mistakes.
This year, Allen has guarded against turnovers like a vicious pit bull fending off would-be robbers.
So, are the Bills flying high.
Well, yes and no.
They have scored more points than any AFC team except the Baltimore Ravens and their five wins in seven decisions has them sitting atop the AFC East standings by more than two games. Sometimes teams get inspired to play well because they are being challenged in their division standings. The Bills division competition is the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and New England Patriots, a trio of teams that have combined for five wins and 15 losses.
When the Bills travel to Seattle today, they meet another team leading their division. Under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald, Seattle is atop the NFC West standings while winning four of their first seven games and ahead of the surprise of the season that the San Francisco 49ers have a losing mark after seven weeks. All three of the teams that are behind Seattle have three wins in seven decisions, and for sure with the Rams getting healthy and the 49ers expected to make a run it is Seattle that can get a boost from division competition.
Edge Seahawks.
Now, even while Allen is having a near mistake free season for the Bills, Buffalo has dropped a couple games. One loss, suffered after opening the season with three straight victories, was against the highly regarded Baltimore Ravens. But after losing that game, 35-10, they lost a second straight game on the road to the Houston Texans.
Now, we catch the Bills securely atop their division race off back-to-back wins on the road as a point spread favorite. They meet a Seattle Seahawks squad that is pressured by the three division opponents one game behind them and playing on a field that they lost on in their most recent home game to the San Francisco 49ers.
Does this add up to a significant edge for the home team?
Yes, it does.
Qoxhi Picks: Seattle Seahawks (+3) over Buffalo Bills