Sometime in the afternoon, when the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns have collectively turned the British Isles against the sport of American Football, the Oakland Raiders (3-4) will hit New Era Field and save day, taking on the favored Buffalo Bills (4-2).
This game will be brought to you by the lovely people at your local CBS station at 1 p.m. EST.
The Game: Oakland Raiders at Buffalo Bills (-2.5)
O/U: 45.5
The History
The Bills and Raiders have met 40 times since 1960 with Oakland holding a 21-19 series advantage.
The Raiders have won the last two match ups, in 2016 and 2014, and six of the last eight.
OAKLAND RAIDERS (3-4)
Did the Raiders save their season last week with a 31-30 win over the Kansas City Chiefs? Not if they just turn around and lose this week.
Derek Carr defied all medical prognosticators by coming back two weeks ago after suffering multiple fractures in his vertebrae. He didn’t look like himself at all against the Los Angeles Chargers, but bounced back in monstrous fashion against the Chiefs. Carr finished the game 29 of 52 for 417 yards, three touchdowns and no picks. One of those touchdowns was the game winner with no time left on the clock.
Here’s the other fantastic thing that happened; Amari Cooper caught passes. In fact, he caught 11 of them for 210 yards and two touchdowns. That doesn’t mean he didn’t drop any, he still did, but it didn’t ruin his day or his team’s chances to win. Still, it should tell you something that, with the game on the line, Carr went to Michael Crabtree for the grab they had to have. Crabtree caught three balls for 24 yards and the game winning score.
As much as they would have needed it, at least early in the Chiefs game, the running game was again nonexistent. DaAndre Washington led Oakland with nine carries for 33 yards and Marshawn Lynch was kicked out after shoving a ref. He’ll be suspended for this game too.
Joining Lynch in street clothes will be first round pick Gareon Conley who’s still out with a shin and cornerback David Amerson who hurt his foot. Safety Karl Joseph didn’t practice Thursday or Friday and is doubtful with a groin.
BUFFALO BILLS (4-2)
If the Bills have used lack of respect for their team and accomplishments this season as fuel, then prepare to be topped off well past the “F” on your gauge after this preview. Buffalo’s four wins have all come against shitty teams and the only reason they looked impressive is because we had no idea how bad their opponents were at the time.
The Bills have beaten the New York Jets, the Denver Broncos, the Atlanta Falcons and last week the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. All these teams, with the exception of the Jets, were highly touted in the preseason, so those looked like solid wins at the time. Here, just a couple of weeks later all those squads are in complete disarray.
That being said, Tyrod Taylor did have a decent game last Sunday against what has turned out to be a pretty terrible Tampa Bay defense. Taylor was 20 of 33 for 268 yards and a touchdown. Since the Bills were able to pass a little, LeSean McCoy found some running lanes and picked up 91 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries.
Deonte Thompson caught four passes for 107 yards and if you’re asking, “Who the hell is Deonte Thompson?” so were the Bucs. Just so you know, he’s a fifth year former undrafted free agent out of Florida who was literally playing his first game with Buffalo last week. He suited up with the Chicago Bears for the first five games of the season.
E.J. Gaines and Charles Clay are out for the Bills again, as is linebacker Ramon Humber.
The Pick
Reality has to set in at some point and I think a rejuvenated Oakland team is just the one to deliver the message. Buffalo has played over its head against bad teams, but gravity is real and demands a fall back to earth at some point. This is that point. Raiders 27, Bills 16
This week
Straight up: 0-1
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 12-3
Against the spread: 7-8
Season
Straight up: 60-46
Against the spread: 50-56
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