Game Preview: Raiders vs Bills – Week 4

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Las Vegas Raiders (2-1)  |  Buffalo Bills (3-0)

 

The Las Vegas Raiders host the undefeated Buffalo Bills as they try to bounce back from a week 3 loss.

 

The Raiders return home to Allegiant stadium in an effort to pick up their third win of the 2020 NFL season. Last Sunday, Las Vegas tried to go 3-0 for the first time since 2002. The last time this franchise went 3-0, they made it to the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, due to some costly turnovers and high scoring production from New England’s offense, the Raiders fell short 36-20. They will go up against a high-riding Buffalo Bills team this week. The Bills are coming off a close 35-32 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, where quarterback Josh Allen led his offense to a game-winning score with fifteen seconds left. Allen ended up finishing the game with five total touchdowns in the win.

 

The Raiders defense will face up a dynamic offense led by a dynamic Quarterback..

 

The Raiders match up against a streaky offense with Buffalo. In all three weeks, we’ve seen the Bills come out on fire and light up the scoreboard early. Come second half, they fall quiet and can not generate the same type of rhythm downfield as they do in the first two quarters. To be successful, Las Vegas needs to start the game out strong with intensity to avoid trailing by multiple scores.

 

Now, who exactly do the Silver and Black need to contain?

That would be Buffalo’s big three with Josh Allen, Devin Singletary, and Stefon Diggs. 

Third-year quarterback Josh Allen has racked up 1,038 yards through the air with ten touchdowns, both of which are second-best in the league. Built at 6’5″, 237 pounds, Allen’s playstyle is imitated after guys like Cam Newton or Tim Tebow, who can power run through defenses just as good as they can throw the pigskin. Allen presents a lot of issues for opposing teams because he is a serious threat downfield as well, with the kind of gun-slinging arm he has.

The Bills acquired superstar receiver Stefon Diggs this offseason to add more depth to an underrated wideout core. Diggs leads the team with 288 receiving yards, which is top five in the NFL, and two touchdowns to go on the resume thus far.

Raiders corner Trayvon Mullen is up for the task and had a few things to say about Diggs: “It’s going to be a good challenge this week, knowing he’s a great receiver. I know he’s top five in receiving yards right now, which makes me more excited to go against him. It’s going to be a competitive matchup, and I’m excited and ready for it.”

One component the Raiders have yet to figure out as a group is stopping the running game. Their front seven needs to close in on the gaps to limit opposing backs’ running lanes. If Las Vegas can keep Singletary to little production, it will force Buffalo to beat them deep, which they can do;  but you have to like the chances with the young, fast secondary group Jon Gruden has put together.

 

It is no easy feat for the Raiders’ offense either, as they take on another great defense.

 

For the 2019 NFL season, the Bills ranked 2nd in the league for overall defense. They’ve picked up right where they left off, holding quarterbacks to a 65% completion percentage, recording eight sacks, and holding teams to a 45% 3rd-down efficiency rating. As a team who relies on the short-yardage completion, this is something Derek Carr and his offense have to watch out for. They can not put themselves in a lot of third-down plays because Buffalo does a great job of stopping opponents in these situations.

The Raiders’ key to success is running the ball effectively against a team that has allowed 318 yards on the ground and a 4.6 yards per rush attempt. Luckily for Las Vegas, they have one of the best rising stars in the game in Josh Jacobs to get the job done.

 

 

Tune in Sunday! Game time at 1:25pm PT on CBS as the Las Vegas Raiders take on the Buffalo Bills.

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Justin Brooks – Franchise Sports Media

Twitter: @Ayyeju5tin

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Raiders vs Bills