Insider Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com provides a closer look at the Seattle Seahawks' Week 9 opponent:
1. Injuries have mounted up for the Bills all across their roster this season, however, a 4-4 record still has them in solid shape. It's kind of impressive that they're still hanging around in the AFC conference. How have they managed to stay afloat offensively and defensively?
Brown: Their run game is what has carried them on offense when injuries first struck, but they are so beat up at the receiver position that they pulled Percy Harvin out of retirement. Opponents have had little respect for their pass game the past couple of weeks because they were without their top three receivers. They've loaded up the box to stop their top-3 rushing attack, which has had a measure of effectiveness.
Defensively, it's been up and down. Their run defense had been solid until they gave up over 200 yards to Jay Ajayi two weeks ago. Their pass defense had been dependable until Tom Brady torched them. Their injuries have been much fewer on that side of the ball, so their defense has only their inconsistency to blame.
2. Lorenzo Alexander's breakout season at 33-years-old has been one of the better stories in the league this year. What has allowed him to thrive this season, and if he can't play this week, how much will that affect the defense?
Brown:He intends to play, saying he's had a mild hamstring strain before. Alexander has just taken advantage of an opportunity. With top draft pick Shaq Lawson out the first six weeks he stepped into the starting lineup in the preseason and was a playmaker. That carried into the regular season with extra attention being paid to Jerry Hughes on the other side. With Lawson now back, they can limit Alexander's reps knowing he probably won't be 100 percent, and Lawson has come on the last couple of games, so they're not losing much with their pass rush.
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3. How is Lawson holding up coming off his shoulder injury? Are the Bills using him as sort of a situational pass-rusher to ease him along? Or is he seeing a good dosage right away?
Brown:As mentioned, he is coming on. When Alexander left last week's game prematurely with his hamstring strain Lawson was entrusted with handling more coverage assignments and base downs and fared well. For Lawson, most feel it's a matter of when, not if his full game comes together. He's an accomplished pass rusher and improves with each series. As mentioned with Alexander, less than 100 percent he could see upwards of 30 snaps Monday night.
4. How much pressure is head coach Rex Ryan under this season?
Brown:Believe it or not, pressure regarding his job doesn't appear to be there. Owner Terry Pegula has stated more than once that continuity is something the organization needs after year after year of frequent change. Buffalo has the longest playoff drought in the league at 16 years and all the changes they've made over that period of time haven't advanced the team much before another change takes place. The Pegula's sound very adamant about staying the course, so short of a complete implosion and a 6-10 finish, I don't anticipate Ryan will be fighting for his job.
5. And lastly, how is Tyrod Taylor coming along in his second year as a starter? What differences have you noticed from Year 1 to Year 2?
Brown:Taylor is still a work in progress. He's great in terms of ball security with a better than 4:1 touchdown to interception ratio, but production in the pass game is suffering with Sammy Watkins on IR, Robert Woods slowed by a foot injury and Marquise Goodwin out last week with a concussion. Goodwin is expected back this week. It's unclear if Harvin will dress this week.
But it's been hard for this offense to make plays in the pass game without a strong cast out wide. Taylor can still hit the deep ball and has done a good job of buying time to make plays with his legs. He is the leading rusher among QBs in the NFL, and his decisions on zone reads has been solid.
Get to know the faces of the Buffalo Bills' offensive and defensive units heading into the team's Week 9 Monday Night Football matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Bills Marquise Goodwin (88) during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Woods (10) watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on October 9, 2016. The Bills defeated the Rams 30-19 (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Walter Powell (19) watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on October 9, 2016. The Bills defeated the Rams 30-19 (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Buffalo Bills Brandon Tate (15) during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Percy Harvin (18) sits on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Justin Hunter (17) sets for play against the Miami Dolphins in a week seven NFL football game Oct. 23, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins won 28 - 25. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Buffalo Bills tackle Cordy Glenn (77) walks off the field, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills offensive guard Richie Incognito (64) runs onto the field before the first half of NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Eric Wood (70) is shown before the game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday September 11, 2016 at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Buffalo Bills offensive guard John Miller (76) against the Cleveland Browns during an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Jordan Mills (79) is seen before the first half of NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay (85) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won 30-21. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills running back Mike Gillislee (35) runs upfield against the Miami Dolphins in a week seven NFL football game Oct. 23, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins won 28 - 25. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Buffalo Bills fullback Jerome Felton (42) looks up from the field with his helmet up during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, August 14, 2015 in Orchard Park, NY. The Panthers won the game 25-24. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) warms up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016 in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Buffalo Bills running back Reggie Bush stands in the bench area during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95) looks on from the sideline during the 2016 NFL week 2 regular season football game against the against the New York Jets on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016 in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Jets won the game 37-31. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Buffalo Bills Leger Douzable (91) during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
FILE - In this Nov. 8, 2015, file photo, Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (99) heads to the field before playing the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game, in Orchard Park, N.Y. A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press the NFL has suspended Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus for the first four games of the season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016, because the suspension has not been announced by the league or the team.(AP Photo/Bill Wippert, File)
Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Adolphus Washington (92) is shown before the game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday September 11, 2016 at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Jerry Hughes (55) looks on from the sideline bench during the 2016 NFL week 2 regular season football game against the against the New York Jets on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016 in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Jets won the game 37-31. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Zach Brown (53) chases the action during the 2016 NFL week 8 regular season football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016 in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots won the game 41-25. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Buffalo Bills linebacker Preston Brown (52) takes the field against the Washington Redskins, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, Washington, D.C. The Redskins defeated the Bills 21-16. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) walks off the field before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills Shaq Lawson (90) during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
Buffalo Bills cornerback Ronald Darby warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman (21) looks on during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016 in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Buffalo Bills Corey Graham (20) during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
Buffalo Bills defensive back Robert Blanton stands on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Buffalo Bills Stephon Gilmore (24) during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
Buffalo Bills kicker Dan Carpenter (2) gestures during the second half of an NFL football game on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills punter Colton Schmidt (6) watches play against the Miami Dolphins in a week seven NFL football game Oct. 23, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins won 28 - 25. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Buffalo Bills long snapper Garrison Sanborn (65) warms up before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
