Dan Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Week 16: Buffalo Bills vs Oakland Raiders Sunday, December 21, 2014 at 4:25pm TV Network: CBS (TV Map) Announcers: Brian Anderson, Chris Simms DirecTV: 715 Bills Radio: On the call: John Murphy (play by play), Mark Kelso (analyst), Sal Capaccio (sideline) Flagship: Buffalo – WGR550 (550AM); Toronto - 590 The Fan; Rochester - WCMF (96.5) and WROC (950AM); Syracuse - WKRL (100.9/WKLL 94.9) Sirius/XM: 92 (Internet 803) ================================================================= Game Preview: Despite having guaranteed themselves their best finish in 10 years, the Buffalo Bills' hopes of ending the longest active playoff drought in the NFL are slim. They'll at the very least need to knock off the Raiders in Oakland for the first time since 1966 to remain in contention for a wild-card spot Sunday. The Bills (8-6) won 21-13 over Green Bay last Sunday, their third victory in four games to ensure them of their best record since going 9-7 in 2004. They still face an uphill climb to reach the postseason for the first time since 1999, however. The Raiders (2-12) fell apart in the third quarter of Sunday's 31-13 loss at Kansas City. They trailed 10-6 before a 4:42 span in which they surrendered three straight TDs, the second of which was set up by Derek Carr's fumbled snap. Read more at ESPN game preview... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Game Preview: Raiders vs. Bills Playbook: Bills vs. Raiders NFL.com Preview: Packers at Bills NFL.com Game Center Team Stats: Bills Raiders Total Yds/Game.... 321.9 283.5 Total Rush............. 97.5 73.8 Total Pass............. 224.4 209.7 Points/Game.......... 21.6 15.2 Time of Poss.......... 30.0 28.0 ---------------------------------------------- Yds/Gm Allowed... 313.4 353.5 Rush Yards........... 103.4 125.4 Pass Yards........... 210.1 228.1 Points Allowed........ 18.1 27.2 Source: NFL.com Overall Offense: Bills - 23rd; Raiders - 32nd Overall Defense: Bills - 5th; Raiders - 18th MatchUp Comparison via SportingCharts.com Injury Report: Buffalo Bills NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Carpenter, Dan K Right Groin LP LP LP Probable Chandler, Scott TE Illness DNP - - - Dixon, Boobie RB Chest FP FP FP Probable Gilmore, Stephon CB Shoulder LP LP LP Probable Gragg, Chris TE Knee LP LP LP Probable Searcy, Da'Norris S Hamstring LP LP LP Probable Spiller, C.J. RB Shoulder LP LP LP Probable Thigpen, Marcus WR Foot - LP LP Probable Williams, Duke S Concussion LP LP LP Probable Wynn, Jarius DE Knee LP LP LP Probable Source: BuffaloBills.com Oakland Raiders NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Brown, Vincent WR Groin DNP DNP DNP Out Brown, Tarell CB Foot DNP DNP DNP Out Carr, Derek QB Rt. Thumb LP FP FP Probable Carrie, T.J. CB Ankle LP LP FP Probable Chekwa, Chimdi CB Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Out Hayden, DJ CB Back - LP LP Questionable Leonhardt, Brian TE Concussion DNP DNP DNP Out Moore, Denarius WR Knee/Ankle DNP DNP DNP Out Watson, Menelik T Foot/Ankle DNP DNP DNP Out Wilson, C.J. DE Knee DNP LP FP Questionable Source: Raiders.com Practice Status Game Status DNP = Did Not Participate in Practice Out = Player will not play LP = Limited Participation - Less than 100% of normal reps Doubtful = 25% chance a player will play FP = Full Participation - 100% of a player's normal repetitions Questionable = 50% chance a player will play Out = Player will not play Probable = 75% chance a player will play (-) = Not Listed = No practice status available (-) = Not Listed - No game status available The Odds: Line: Bills -5.5 Over/Under: 39 Source: The LineMakers Up to date lines... if you're in Vegas. My Thoughts on the Game: On paper, this is the easiest game we've had since the Jets. And in our final month, it's definitely the easiest game we'll play. The numbers for once seem to favor us. We're facing the 32nd ranked offense and facing a defense that's 18th overall, 25th against the run; and most importantly ranked 30th in scoring. So, it's a cake walk... right? Not so fast. This is the same team that's beaten some good teams at home. It's the same team that has the No.1 ranked 3rd down defense over the last 3 weeks. The Raiders are a deceptive team. They've been playing a lot of teams tough, but just can't close them out. Then when you throw into the mix... the Bills are coming off a huge emotional win. When was the last time we played well after a big emotional win? So, this has all the makings of a close, tough game for the Bills. Hence, I'll be watching: 1. Can the Bills, as a team, stay focused. They had a huge win last week. They have, potentially, a more huger game next week. But, they need to focus on the Raiders and take care of business this week. Can they do that? 2. CJ Spiller. He's back! He'll get some playing time, but how much? And perhaps more importantly, how will he be used. We've seen our offense try some screens and motioning the RB out since CJ went down. Will they try to get CJ the ball in these formations? Or will he get the obligatory couple runs up the middle and then watch Freddie get the screen plays? 3. Orton and our WRs. This is the week and the team to get some offense crankin' up on. If we can't score a couple touchdowns on the Raiders depleted secondary; then we really do need to blow up the entire offense. This is not the week to score FGs and eek out a win. We should be the better team; lets prove it. 4. Mario and the defensive line. We've had 1 sack (I think) in the last two weeks. Granted, it was a huge one! Also, we have to consider we just faced 2 of the least sacked QBs in the league. But, it's time to get the sacks rolling in again. Here's to a 5 sack game. 5. Other NFL games. For the first time in a decade, we actually have a reasonable shot to make the playoffs! Yes, we have to win out. But, we also need a little help. And for the first time in forever, I'll actually be able to hope certain teams win/lose, just so it helps the Bills in Week 17. Friggin' 49ers. Pittsburg better win. Go Bills!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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