3 bold predictions for Riq Woolen in Seahawks’ Week 8 game against the Bills

What a game the Seattle Seahawks had against the Atlanta Falcons last week! Many were ready to bring out the pitchforks if the Seattle Seahawks hit a 4-game losing streak, but those can be tucked back into the closets/barns across the greater Seattle area after a bounce-back effort from head coach Mike Macdonald and his team. Up next, the Hawks will host the red-hot Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

You may look at this game and think that the Bills will want to turn this into a shootout. If so, great thought... great minds think alike! Buffalo just acquired Amari Cooper to supe up their passing game, and concurrently, Seattle's top receiving threat may miss this game entirely. Possibly missing DK Metcalf changes the complexion of this game. Good thing there is a certain jovial shutdown corner that should make a triumphant return from an injury of his own this week.

Despite the fact that the Bills are 5-2, the Hawks have a chance in this game. Yeah, we know that Josh Allen is currently 6th in passing touchdowns and 4th in QB Rating... he doesn't look to have missed Stefon Diggs at all! Buffalo has seen the maturation and deemed it perfect timing to strike, adding a player of the caliber of Cooper to complete a dangerous collection of pass-game weapons.

Three bold predictions for Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen in Week 8

Buffalo may well be a factor in the AFC championship race later in the season, but they still have to see the boys in the PNW who feel on the rise in the NFC. Dare I say this could be a trap game for the Bills, as it would be quite easy to look ahead after hearing that they'll most likely be facing Tua Tagovailoa in their divisional matchup at home next week.

In fact, this feels like a ‘Riq the freak game. Josh Allen is balling, but we all know he is prone to throw an occasional bad pass when pressured. Derrick Hall and Boye Mafe have hit their strides and maybe just beginning to tap into all of that potential. They'll do their things on the edges. Hopefully, Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II will cause havoc in the middle. Those are reassuring thoughts for members of a defensive backfield.

Prediction 1: Tariq Woolen will be the first to intercept Josh Allen this season

Let's not forget that Tariq Woolen lead the NFL in interceptions in his rookie year of 2022. This man is a threat for takeaways at any time! As a convert from the wideout position, Woolen has a natural feel for routes and the speed to recover, close, and catch.

Residing in and watching film of a different conference week-to-week, Allen may not be used to the fast, long-limbed range of the artist formerly known as Tariq Woolen. Woolen will get his hands on a ball, and he'll be the first in the league to do it against Buffalo's MVP candidate this year.

Prediction 2: 'Riq will hold Amari Cooper to only three catches in coverage

Let's preface this. Amari Cooper is a very good wide receiver. He may not know the whole playbook, but he is a veteran who should be able to quickly pick up concepts. The Bills will probably try to move him around to get him open, and we already heard Leslie Frazier mention in a podcast that Tariq has the ability to travel with WR1s and erase them. Whether or not Woolen shadows Cooper the entire game, 'Riq should be up to the task when he has that matchup.

Prediction 3: Woolen will make a big hit on a ball carrier at some point

Look, I'm not saying that 'Riq is going to start running around and making hits like Jalen Ramsey or Devon Witherspoon, but he's not just a chump. Sure, power runners have gotten the best of him sometimes, but he's also made nice hits. Here's to Woolen showing out and laying a lick on a smaller guy like Khalil Shakir or James Cook, just to put an exclamation mark on things!

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