Week 8: RAIDERS @ Buffalo Bills 1st Half Open Thread and Discussion

After last week's epic Thursday night win over the Kansas City Chiefs, can the Raiders ride the momentum and run the table? This is the 1st half open thread and discussion of the Raiders' Week 8 matchup at the Buffalo Bills. Leave a comment below and share your thoughts on the game.

Q2

OAK 7 BUF 14

As I made the comment that DeAndre Washington was outplaying Jalen Richard at the running back position, the football pops out of Washington's hands into Matt Milano's hands and he runs it in to give the Bills the lead as time expired. Outside of the methodical opening drive and the Carr's underthrown deep ball to Michael Crabtree on the Raiders' 2nd possession of the game, there hasn't been much going for this offense. And if you heard CBS play-by-play announcer, Andre Catalon, midway through the quarter, Jamize Olawale is questionable with a hamstring injury, unlikely to return. That's a big blow to the Raiders' game plan in short yardage situation considering his tough runs on 4th down and the opening score. He could've had a great return to set up Carr and the offense in good field position, but the Raiders can't get a good return as long as flags are flying early, which indicates that it's going back. While there's a lot of questions surrounding the Raiders' running game, there's no questions about the Bills' running game. LeSean McCoy is having his way over the run defense and that allowed the Bills to open up the playbook a little with Tyrod Taylor scrambling and eluding the defense when pressure is getting to him. The Bills deferred and are getting the ball back. The defense has to force a quick 3 and out and the offense has to put together another smart, scoring drive. Though, the weather is playing a heavy factor right now in favor of the Bills. The 2nd half will open up shortly. 

Q1

OAK 7 BUF 0 

The weather in Buffalo is definitely affecting both teams' game plan, but not on the Raiders' opening drive. The Raiders knew that they can't establish the running game early since Marshawn Lynch is suspended and the Bills have a respectable front seven. So, they elected to go pass heavy. It was rough with a couple of drops, but Carr's pass to Cooper on third down settled things down. When the Raiders were in short yardage situations, they ran it to Olawale for good gains and eventually a TD, which was set up by a great catch by Lee Smith inside the five. Good, methodical drive to let the Bills know that the offense is back. Meanwhile, the Bills had a solid opening drive on their own, but offensive P.I. on Jordan Matthews helped the defense get off the field. Down the stretch, both offenses have been stagnant due to the rainy weather, but we'll see if the Raiders can go back to putting together another solid drive like they have on their possession of the game.