Seahawks Regular Season Game #1 Preview - Seahawks @ Buffalo Bills

The Seahawks open the 2008 regular season in Buffalo on Sunday, in a game that is fraught with peril despite the Seahawks structural advantages in both depth and talent. QB Matt Hasselbeck is coming off a preseason back injury, and the Seahawks uncertainty at WR is well known. Starters Deon Branch and Bobby Engram will miss the game while they rehab injuries. How all this will effect the team remains to be seen.

More likely, the 10AM pacific start time will be a bigger factor. Under Mike Holmgren, the Seahawks have a tendency to start slowly, especially on offense, for at least the first few games. In addition, they usually struggle on the road in 10AM games, because of the ridiculous schedule which requires them to rise at 5AM pacific to get ready to play.

Offense: Expect them to run a lot and pass sparingly. The Seahawks young receivers have done well in preseason, and there is no reason to think that shouldn’t continue into this game, especially if Mike Holmgren uses Seneca Wallace on a dozen plays as a slash or slot receiver. Since only four receivers will be active, expect Wallace to get at least that many snaps. #1 Receiver Nate Burleson will likely draw double coverage all day long.

The Bills will almost certainly stack the line of scrimmage and try to force the Seahawks young recivers to beat them. Pass protection will be the key to breaking down that strategy.

Defense: Defensively, the key will be disrupting young QB Trent Edwards' timing. The Bills have the potential to make some plays, especially given the Seahawks defenses’ tendency to sleepwalk through 10AM east coast games. The Seahawks must get a strong pass rush to stay in the game. Also watch for how the Bills run up the middle with Marshawn Lynch. Expect them to go right at backup DT Craig Terrill, who is subbing for the suspended Rocky Bernard. Backup DT Red Bryant will probably a lot of snaps if Terrill isn’t up to the challenge.

Special Teams: All eyes will be on new kicker Olindo Mare. He was good in preseason but the games count now. We still don’t know who’s going to return punts.

Outlook: Expect a low scoring, mistake filled game. It will almost certainly come down to the last three minutes, with the Seahawks either losing a stinker or eeking out tough win under difficult circumstances.

Prediction: Seahawks, 20-16, but it could go either way.