Raiders Scouting Report: A look at the Bills from all angles

Philip Robinson
Updated
JDR
JDR

Time waits for no man, and the 2016 season seems as though it is in a hurry to conclude. Last weeks victory, gave the Oakland Raiders wins over both contestants in last season’s Super Bowl 50. While the Buffalo Bills are an underwhelming 6-5, they are a foe not to be taken lightly.

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Strengths

The Buffalo Bills as a team enter this game

  • First in rushing

  • Fourth in turnover margin (+8)

  • Fifth in sacks (31)

  • Fifth in passing touchdowns allowed (13)

  • Eighth against the pass

  • Tied for eleventh with (12) Forced Fumbles

  • Tied for sixteenth with (8) Interceptions

Defensively the Bills are a highly talented bunch (underachieving since Rex Ryan took over, if you ask me), as the Ryan brothers are both defensive specialists. Incredibly blitz happy, D.C. Rob Ryan’s scheme features numerous overloads, and zone blitzes for Raiders QB Derek Carr to read, analyze, and defeat. Stephon Gilmore, the Bill’s best cover man, leads the team with 4 interceptions and 10 Pass defensed. Lorenzo Alexander, a bay area boy, and last year’s Raiders special teams player, has a team leading 10 sacks. Zach Brown, the linebacker, is the 3rd leading tackler in the NFL with (107) combined.

LeSean Mccoy is the engine driving the Buffalo attack. With 35 runs converted for a first down, 819 yards and 9 touchdowns on 157 carries, he is one of the league’s premier backs. Tyrod Taylor, a true dual threat quarterback, is an option with the ball in his hands. Second on the team in rushing, and the 16th leading rusher in the league. Taylor’s 439 yards and 5 touchdowns on 70 carries, are only 32 yards behind Raider leading rusher Latavius Murray, on 50 less carries.

Weaknesses

The four most glaring weaknesses of this Bills team

  • Passing attack ranked dead last in the league

  • Twenty first ranked rushing defense

  • Receiving corps

  • Injury

The Bills have taken over the mantle of worst passing team in the league from Houston. A truly disgraceful, 195/319 2146 yards 11 touchdowns 4 interceptions and 31 sacks. Granted, in it’s defense, Buffalo has been a revolving door at wide receiver. It’s top pass catchers alternatively unavailable throughout the season. Taylor is a capable thrower, but hasn’t had the players to create a rapport with. This week may be no different, as Robert Woods, the leading receiver may not play with a knee injury. Two weeks after making his season debut, Sammy Watkins is experiencing soreness in the foot which had kept him out all season long, and may keep him out of this week’s game.

The Bills are ranked 3rd in giving up explosive plays (10+ yard rush, 25+ yard pass). Giving up an explosive play 9.9% of the time. As a team they have given up 51 explosive runs, and 16 explosive passes. A key to victory, be to expose the soft underbelly of this defense, and pound it into submission early.

Injury Report

As of Wednesday’s practice this is a list of potential inactives

LB- Lorenzo Alexander (ankle)

CB- Ronald Darby (concussion)

OT- Cordy Glenn (back)

WR- Percy Harvin (migraines/illness)

S- James Ihedigbo (ankle)

Wr- Sammy Watkins (foot)

Wr- Robert Woods (knee)

Final Report

All the fixings of a good old fashioned trap game here. Good defense, great running game, bad passing game, and sandwiched in the middle of 4 games in 17 days. The Bills offensively haven’t been anything too serious to worry about, but have the speed and shiftiness to take the top off of the defense at any time. LeSean Mccoy should be on Ken Norton Jr.s radar, in his dreams, and all over his film notes. It’s entering crunchtime for the Bills, so for the Raider’s sake let us hope they circle the wagons next week.

You can follow Philip Robinson on twitter @chocP3thunder

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