Fresh off a decisive win in Kansas City last weekend, the Buffalo Bills make their home debut Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. The Bills put up more than 350 yards total offense in a 41-7 rout of the Chiefs, and the Raiders are coming off a Monday night victory over the Broncos in Denver.
Dueling ground games
Both teams had stout running attacks last week, with the Raiders and Bills notching 190 and 163 total rushing yards, respectively. Raiders tailback Darren McFadden did the majority of the legwork for Oakland, rushing for 150 yards on 22 carries. The Raiders were second in the league last year in total rushing yards behind McFadden, and Bills coach Chan Gailey addressed his concerns on their rushing attack Wednesday.
“Last week was a challenge in the run game, but this will be a bigger challenge in my opinion because they’re so massive upfront and their backs are big and strong and run downhill,” Gailey told reporters. “Last week it was edge, hitting a crease, dip, dart, this is right at you and ‘Here we come, see if you can stop us.’”
Bills running back Fred Jackson broke the century mark as well last week, amassing 112 yards on 20 touches. This was better news for the Bills than the Raiders, as the big story for Buffalo going into Week 1 was how its offensive line would produce. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick Wednesday praised the work of his line, telling reporters, “I think they did a great job. I think everybody now is recognizing the job that they did.”
No break for the line
There will be no respite for the Bills line against the Raiders, who finished with the second-most sacks last year behind linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, who had eight. Six-time Pro Bowler Richard Seymour and 2010 Pro Bowl alternate Tommy Kelly have been a strong duo on the defensive interior as well, which will be test for the line in keeping Fitzpatrick protected.
“They do some good things, Fitzpatrick said. “They get a lot of pressure up the middle. They get a lot of pressure on the edges. Wimbley’s a good rusher. It’s going to be a tough challenge for us.”
The Raiders recorded five sacks last week, and Seymour told the media this week that he was confident in the D's ability to penetrate the Bills' line Sunday.
“They executed well last week and we have a lot of respect for what they did,” Seymour said. “We just feel like we have a good defense and we can handle their speed. It's their home opener so I'm sure they will be excited, but it was Denver's home opener as well and we know what to expect. We're going to a hostile environment and our only mission there is to get a win and not listen to anything else."
Banged-up wide receivers
The Bills' receiving corps took a hit this week, as the team put Marcus Easley on season-ending injured reserve for an undisclosed heart ailment. Also, Steve Johnson, who compiled 66 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs, is listed as probable for Sunday with a groin injury.
“I feel really bad for him with all of the work that he put in to get back,” Fitzpatrick said of Easley. “He really showed some good improvement throughout the offseason when we worked out. Once he was healthy in training camp he really showed some improvement. It’s just unfortunate.”
Johnson is expected to start, but with him at less than 100 percent, there might be a Roscoe Parrish sighting Sunday if Johnson can't take all the snaps. Also, let's not forget the Bills' newest weapon, tight end Scott Chandler. He will easily be Fitzpatrick's prime target on rollouts and scrambling plays.
Other notes
The last time the Raiders and Bills met up was in 2008, when Ryan Lindell hit a last-second field goal to seal a come-from-behind victory; Oakland currently has a four-game losing streak against AFC East teams; The home opener is a chance for the Bills to improve on their home record, which has been deplorable the last three seasons with a combined eight wins; perfect weather slated for game time: 70 degrees and sunny.
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