ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.
It was cold, and it was wet at New Era Field on Sunday as that meant it was perfect weather for football to be played in Western New York. A rain-slick field called for careful play-calling, long drives, a successful running game, and of course protecting the football at all cost.
That’s exactly what the Buffalo Bills achieved on Sunday as they blew the Oakland Raiders out of the water with a 34-14 win to improve to a record of 5-2. The Bills improved to a record of 4-0 at home for the first time since winning their first five home games of the 1995 season.
The Bills also improved to a record of 5-2, making it their best start to a season during their 17-year post season drought. Here are 5 reasons why the Bills defeated the Raiders.
ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 29: Richie Incognito #64 of the Buffalo Bills gets his ankle taped during the third quarter of an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on October 29, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
5) Offensive Line
The offensive line did an excellent job on Sunday. Not only with the blocking for Tyrod Taylor and LeSean McCoy, but also shutting down defensive end Khalil Mack. Going into the game, shutting down Mack was one of the Bills primary goals for the afternoon, they not only achieved that goal but they virtually shut Mack down.
Mack finished the game with two total tackles and one quarterback hurry. The offensive line did a great job of protecting Taylor all day, allowing him to create some extra time with his legs and make the right throws. The Raiders ultimately could not get to Taylor as the Raiders defense didn’t record a single sack on Sunday.
The offensive line also did an exceptional job when it came to the running game, allowing McCoy to go for a league high of 151-yards on the ground including a 48-yard touchdown and six catches for 22-yards through the air.
4) The Secondary
That was not the case as the Bills secondary did an outstanding job taking away Derek Carr’s two favorite options. Both receivers had a total of five catches.
The dynamic duo was targeted 20 times on Sunday and managed to get a total of 10 catches, and neither of them reached the end zone. Even though Crabtree finished with a total of 83-yards, the Bills secondary deserves huge credit for the big win on Sunday.
ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 29: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills signals to the offense during the second quarter of an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on October 29, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
3) Tyrod Taylor
The Raiders scored on their first drive of the game, that saw 5:32 come off the clock resulting in 13 plays, 81-yards, and a touchdown, it didn’t look like a good start. Things looked to get even worse when the Bills had to punt on the next two series. But eventually, the Bills managed to step it up with quarterback Tyrod Taylor throwing a 6-yard pass to wide receiver Andre Holmes to tie the game. That touchdown seemed to get the ball rolling for Taylor, as after that he was near perfect.
Taylor was elusive with his legs, avoiding pressure from the Raiders defense and getting first downs to keep drives alive. Taylor finished the game going 20 for 27 with 165-yards passing, one touchdown and even managed to get a 1-yard score on the ground. Once again Taylor finished the game with zero turnovers. Taylor now has eight touchdowns on the season and two interceptions.
2) LeSean McCoy
You could just see McCoy getting back to his usual self, last week against the Buccaneers and now this week against the Raiders. He looks like he’s back to being “shady”, making guys miss, going for big runs, and obviously getting touchdowns.
On 27 carries McCoy finished with 151-yards on the ground, including a 48-yard scamper he took to the house. He also finished with six catches for 22-yards. In his last two games, McCoy has racked up 252-yards rushing on 50 carries and 53-yards receiving on 11 receptions.
This week McCoy has another difficult matchup against him, as he goes up against the Jets defensive front on a short week.
1) Defense
On Friday night the Bills shocked the football world yet again with another massive trade. This time they sent defensive tackle Marcell Dareus packing to Jacksonville in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
With the departure of Dareus still fresh in the players’ minds, the absence of Poyer and Gaines the Bills defense still dominated the Raiders high powered offense.
After intercepting Jameis Winston last weekend, rookie linebacker Matt Milano made another huge play. This time he took this one to the house, as he scored on a 40-yard fumble recovery with 32 seconds left in the half for the go-ahead touchdown, putting the Bills up 14-7.
With the rain continuing to fall into the second half the Raiders continued to turn the ball over. Milano forced Raiders running back Jalen Richard to fumble while returning a punt, with Mike Tolbert recovering the football.
On the Raiders next possession, Carr’s pass over the middle was tipped by linebacker Preston Brown, and intercepted by safety Micah Hyde.
These turnovers later resulted in Stephen Hauschka field goals of 35-yards and 44-yards. After that, there was no turning back for Buffalo and Taylor as the Bills made it 27-7 on a fourth and inches touchdown from Taylor.
The Bills dominated the Raiders from start to finish in this game, racking up 35:37 time of possession compared to Oakland’s 24:23, forcing Carr to four turnovers and only two touchdowns, and holding the Raiders running backs to a total of 54-yards rushing. Buffalo continues to lead the league in turnover differential with 14, and safety Micah Hyde leads the league in interceptions with 5.
Next: Buffalo Bills: Who is Matt Milano?
Up next the Bills take a short bus ride down to MetLife stadium this Thursday to take on the New York Jets.