Raiders see season likely end in Buffalo
The Oakland Raiders looked to be black on track a week ago. Last Thursday, the Raiders racked up 505 yards worth of offense and beat the Kansas city Chiefs in a wild 31-30 game that put them at both 3-4 and back in the playoff picture.
Fast forward 10 days, and Oakland is back on life support. The Raiders went up to Buffalo coming off a long week of rest and got pounded by the surprising Bills, losing 34-14 in a game befitting that final outcome. The Raiders continued to get torched on the defensive side of the ball, allowing LeSean McCoy to rush for 151 yards and a touchdown. Tyrod Taylor only threw for 165 yards and a touchdown, but that was all Buffalo needed to get to 5-2.
The Raiders continually beat themselves on the day. In the second quarter, Oakland had the ball with the game tied 7-7. IN the final 30 seconds the half, Derek Carr dumped the ball off to running back DeAndre Washington, who turned upfield and got popped, forcing a fumble. Matt Milano grabbed the ball out of the air and raced in for a touchdown, putting Buffalo up 14-7 in the final seconds of the second quarter.
After Oakland got a big stop to begin the third quarter, the Bills punted the ball away. Incredibly, Jalen Richard fumbled on the return, with Buffalo recovering and turning the miscue into a field goal. From there the onslaught continued, with the final damage being a crippling loss that included four turnovers (two Carr interceptions as well).
The AFC isn’t good, but the Raiders are buried. Oakland sits 3-5 and in last place of the AFC West. Should the Chiefs win as expected on Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium over the Denver Broncos, Oakland will be three games back in the West with eight to play. Going forward, Kansas City has the second-easiest schedule in the league, including a home date with the Raiders in December.
Speaking of schedules, the Raiders have a tough slate moving forward. Oakland has to play road games against Kansas City and the Philadelphia Eagles, along with a primetime matchup next weekend against the Miami Dolphins. There is also a home game against the Dallas Cowboys and a contest in Mexico City with the New England Patriots. All told, the Raiders would be fortunate to go .500, something that is all but irrelevant for a team that had Super Bowl aspirations going into September.
Some will say the Raiders can still make a run with their talent, but time is short and odds are long. Oakland would have to suddenly play better in all phases, something much easier said than done.
