The Ultimate Trap Game

Anyone who watched Buffalo's defense dominate the league's top offense last week would tell you that the Bills should steamroll the lowly 2-12 Oakland Raiders.  That would ultimately put the Bills playoff hopes on the line for one game next week at Gillette Stadium against the New England Patriots.  However, Buffalo will need to do more than just show up to get out of California with their ninth win of the season.  Although it hasn't shown in the win column, Oakland is a young team that has been very competitive in defeat.  Their biggest win of the season came on Thursday Night Football against the Chiefs.  Rookie quarterback David Carr has been the Raiders starter for all fourteen weeks and has shown signs of improvement, even with limited offensive weapons.  Running back Latavius Murray has put together some big games late in the season and he is the guy Buffalo needs to put most of their attention on.  Oakland's offense might be near the bottom of the league, but the defense has shown how good they can be.  It starts with rookie linebacker Khalil Mack.  He has put together a great season and is up for defensive rookie of the year.  Buffalo's O-line held up against Green Bay last week and the same needs to happen this week if they want to win.  The Raiders are susceptible in the run game so with CJ Spiller back, and with Fred, Bryce Brown, and Boobie Dixon, expect the Bills to keep the ball on the ground a lot today.  

Three Keys to the Game: 

1. Punch the Ball in the Endzone:  The offense only produced four field goals last week and got bailed out with a Marcus Thigpen punt return touchdown.  This time, the Bills can't let an inferior team hang around, so scoring touchdowns instead of field goals is big for this struggling offense.  

2. Carr Can't be Calm:  Derek Carr has been pressured a lot throughout the season and today figures to follow that trend.  The best defensive line in the league needs to get pressure and put Oakland in 3rd & long situations.  

3.  No Scoreboard Watching:  Since today's game is at 4:25, the other impactful games will already be decided.  Focus on this game and if Buffalo gets the help they needed, then great.  

My Prediction: I expect Oakland to keep it tight for awhile before a much more talented team in the Bills pulls away in the fourth quarter.  

Buffalo 26    Oakland 14