Seahawks Game Preview vs. Bills: Analysis, prediction, TV info

What matters: Staying in the division title race. Wild-card berths are definitely nice, but if the Seahawks want to guarantee themselves a playoff home game, they need to win the NFC West. The division title is in play for Seattle, but it won't be if they lose to Buffalo and San Francisco beats New England on Sunday night. A win over the Bills would keep the Seahawks division title hopes alive heading into their Week 16 home showdown with the 49ers. 

Who matters: RB Marshawn Lynch. This will be Lynch's first game against the team that drafted him 12th overall in 2007. Lynch going up against the Bills' defense almost seems like a mismatch. Buffalo has the league's 28th ranked run defense, and they'll have to figure out a way to slow Lynch, who's 1,266 yards ranks second in the NFL. As a team, the Seahawks' running game ranks fourth (152.3 yards per game). 

Key matchups: Bills WR Stevie Johnson vs. the Seattle secondary. Richard Sherman has proven to be a shutdown corner this season and with the most of the Seattle secondary hobbled or suspended, it will be Sherman's job to contain Johnson. Seattle will be without CBs Marcus Trufant and Walter Thurmond, who are injured. Those aren't the only injuries in the secondary though, SS Kam Chancellor (groin) missed practice Wednesday and Thursday this week but is expected to play Sunday. The Seahawks will also be without starting CB Brandon Browner, who's in the midst of serving a four-game suspension. Johnson tied a season-high with six catches in the Bills' loss to St. Louis last week, so don't be surprised if QB Ryan Fitzpatrick targets him early and often.  

Injuries of note: CB Trufant, who injured his hamstring in a Nov. 29 practice and has missed the last two games, has been ruled out for Sunday. Thurmond (hamstring) has also also been ruled out. The absence of Trufant and Thurmond will mean more playing time for CBs Jeremy Lane and Byron Maxwell. WR Charly Martin injured his calf in practice Thursday and will be inactive Sunday. WR Sidney Rice (foot), who didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, is expected to play Sunday. 

Inside stuff: This will be Seattle's first trip out of the United States for a regular-season game, although the Seahawks have played outside of the U.S., including a game in Canada. In 1998, Seattle lost a preseason game to San Francisco that was played in Vancouver, B.C. The Seahawks are 0-2 in games played outside the country, although it should be noted that both were preseason games. 

Connections: Lynch might recognize a few faces on the opposing sideline. The Seahawks' star was traded to Seattle from Buffalo in October 2010. Lynch was the Bills' first-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. ... The Lynch trade isn't the only time the Seahawks and Bills have wheeled and dealed. Back in late August, the Seahawks traded their 2011 starting quarterback -- Tarvaris Jackson -- to Buffalo.  

Stat you should know: QB Russell Wilson is putting up MVP numbers -- against AFC teams. In three games against the AFC East, the rookie is averaging 235 yards, 2.3 touchdown passes and has thrown no interceptions. Those numbers are good for a 130.2 passer rating. 

Record watch: With a win over Buffalo, Wilson would tie the record for most wins (9) by a third-round draft pick starting at quarterback in his rookie year. Chris Chandler (1988, Colts) and Joe Ferguson (1973, Bills) won nine games as third-round rookie quarterbacks. 

Looking ahead: Looking ahead is exactly what the Seahawks shouldn't be doing this week. Seattle will host division leading San Francisco next week, but if the Seahawks falter against Buffalo, there's no chance the division lead will be on the line in that game. But if Seattle beats Buffalo and the 49ers lose to New England this week, the division lead will be on the line in Week 16.

Prediction: Seahawks 27, Bills 17

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Seahawks blogger John Breech follow@JohnBreech and @CBSSeahawks.