Buffalo Bills at Oakland Raiders: Three Keys to the Game
By DJ Eberle
Shut down Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree
The Bills will face the league’s fourth-best set of pass catchers – according to Pro Football Focus – this weekend.
It’s going to be a big day for the likes of Stephon Gilmore, Corey Graham, James Ihedigbo and Ronald Darby and/or Kevon Seymour, or Corey White.
"Arguably the best one-two WR punch in the NFL right now, Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree take turns throwing out dominant performances. They are both within the top-32 in terms of yard per route run, and would be higher if Cooper didn’t pass his drop issues from a year ago onto Crabtree. The former 49er leads the league with eight drops this season. – Pro Football Focus"
As much flack as Gilmore has gotten this season, he will be more than capable covering Cooper and Michael, but the question comes on the other side of the field.
With Darby likely out Sunday, the challenge of manning either Cooper or Crabtree will fall on Seymour. With Darby still in concussion protocol, the rookie was taking first-team reps with White Thursday and is preparing to start this weekend.
With Seymour stepping into a starting role, the Bills are going to need to create some pressure against a top-flight offensive line. The one weakness along the Raiders offensive line is right tackle Austin Howard, who ranks 55th among offensive tackles with a PFF grade of 55.7.
Jerry Hughes will see Howard the most, and will need to take advantage of the matchup as much as possible. If Hughes and the rest of the Bills front seven can create some pressure, Carr will be forced out of the pocket and off of his spot. The Bills would rather face a scrambling Carr than a pocket Carr.