Bills At Seahawks
The game: 5:35 p.m., Husky Stadium, Seattle
Coaches: Seattle - Mike Holmgren, 15-16, 2nd season; 90-53 overall, 9th season. Buffalo - Wade Phillips, 28-19, 3rd season; 45-38 overall, 6th season
The records: Seattle is 6-9; Buffalo is 7-8.
The series: Seahawks lead 5-2.
The line: Seahawks by 3.
On the air
Television: ESPN, with Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire.
Radio: KXLY (920-AM) and KVNI (1080-AM), with Brian Davis and Steve Raible.
PLAYER MATCHUPS Passing PC-PA Yds. TD Int.
Jon Kitna, Seattle 241-389 2,463 18 18
Doug Flutie, Buffalo 112-206 1,334 5 3
Rushing Att. Yds. Avg. TD
Ricky Watters, Seattle 261 1,175 4.5 6
Shaun Alexander, Seattle 59 271 4.6 2
Shawn Bryson, Buffalo 158 585 3.7 0
Sammy Morris, Buffalo 93 341 3.7 5
Receiving Rec. Yds. AVG. TD Sean Dawkins, Seattle 61 708 11.6 5
Ricky Watters, Seattle 58 566 9.8 2
Eric Moulds, Buffalo 90 1,225 13.6 5
Peerless Price, Buffalo 44 630 14.3 2
INJURIES
Bills: Out: S Keion Carpenter (ankle); LB Sam Cowart (ankle); DE Phil Hansen (knee); LB Sam Rogers (groin). Questionable: T John Fina (knee); QB Rob Johnson (head); RB Sammy Morris (ankle).
Seahawks: Out: DE Lamar King (shoulder). Questionable: QB Brock Huard (bruised kidney). Probable: CB Paul Miranda (groin).
ANALYSIS
All of a sudden, there is talk Jon Kitna might have a future in Seattle, based on his recent surge of quality play and the belief that maybe he is mastering Mike Holmgren’s offense. Hogwash. Despite flowery praise from Holmgren this week, it’s doubtful he believes Kitna is the answer. It’s only been two weeks since Holmgren was asked about a Kitna pass that bounced off a linebacker’s helmet and into a safety’s hands. Holmgren explained it wouldn’t have happened if the pass hadn’t been underthrown or the receiver had adjusted to the throw. Five weeks ago, Holmgren benched Kitna - days after the fourth-year pro was named AFC offensive player of the week. This likely is Kitna’s swan song in Seattle, but he won’t be alone. Holmgren’s roster reworking will continue, and several veterans figure to be donning Hawks jerseys for the last time. Buffalo has lost four straight. Make it five. Seattle 27, Bills 20.