NFL Week 9 picks: Seahawks vs. Bills odds and preview

The Seattle Seahawks will make a rare trip to Buffalo to face the Bills on Sunday in what could be a high-scoring Week 9 matchup. 

This game pits MVP frontrunner Russell Wilson against dark-horse MVP candidate Josh Allen, the third-year quarterback who enjoyed a hot start to the 2020 season but has slowed down considerably. 

Both teams will look to pull ahead in their respective divisional races. The Seahawks are a game up on the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West, while the Bills are 1.5 games ahead of the Miami Dolphins in the AFC East. 

Dynamic duo of Wilson & Metcalf appears unstoppable

Is DK Metcalf the best receiver in football? It might be premature to crown him right now, but he could be when this season is done. 

The second-year wide receiver is on pace to smash his totals from an already impressive 2019 rookie campaign, when he caught 58 passes for 900 yards and seven touchdowns. This year, he has 680 yards receiving on 36 catches and seven touchdowns – putting him on pace for 82 catches, 1,554 yards, and 16 touchdowns.

Oh, and in case you missed it, he also did this:

Last Sunday against the 49ers, Metcalf had a career-best 12 catches on a career-best 15 targets for 161 yards and two touchdowns – his second multi-touchdown game in three weeks. 

The Bills pass defense has held their opponents to a combined total of 294 yards over the past two weeks. Those opponents, however, were the New York Jets and New England Patriots. Not exactly shining examples of great offenses being held in check. 

Now the Bills face a quarterback on track for an MVP season, a receiver who is enjoying a breakout campaign, and a supporting cast in an offense that no opposing team has been able to truly contain for an entire game. 

Bills slowing down after fast start

Josh Allen and the Bills came roaring out of the gate. They won four straight and Allen threw for 12 touchdown passes with only one interception, helping Buffalo climb to the top of the AFC East standings in a hurry. 

That torrid pace hasn’t been maintained. 

They’ve gone 2-2 over their last four games, losing to the AFC contending Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans in back-to-back weeks, and narrowly defeating the lowly New York Jets and struggling New England Patriots. 

Allen has strayed from the MVP-caliber play he showed through September and the first week of October. 

Allen is on pace for his best season throwing the ball. His completion rate is up over 67%,  well above the career average of 59%. He has 16 touchdown passes after a career-best 20 last year. But he has thrown for just four touchdowns during this recent four-game stretch.  

The Bills face a Seahawks defense that has struggled against the pass this season, with the exception of last week’s victory against San Francisco. Despite a much more aggressive showing in Week 8, the Seahawks defense has still given up the most passing yards and is still not in the top half of the league in quarterback sacks. 

Perhaps Allen and the Bills offense will be able to take advantage of that on Sunday.

Injury Report

The Seahawks have ruled out running back Chris Carson with a foot injury, according to reports out of Seattle on Friday. The good news for the defense is safety Jamal Adams will play after missing the last four games with a groin strain.

Meanwhile, receiver David Moore didn’t practice Thursday with ankle and back injuries, while receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett (load management), and defensive tackle Jarran Reed (load management) practiced Thursday, according to the Seahawks.

Betting Trends

The Seahawks are 5-2 Against the Spread this season, including 2-1 ATS on the road. The Over has hit in five of seven Seattle games. 

The Bills have a 6-2 record overall, but are just 3-5 against the spread and 2-2 ATS on their home field. The Over is 6-2 in Bills games this season, including 3-1 at home.

Score prediction: Seahawks 34, Bills 27

Picks: Seahawks -3, Over 55

Bet on Week 9 of the 2020 NFL season now at BetAmerica!