ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – The Raiders played an unforgettable football game last week. Their dramatic comeback over Kansas City will always stand out, maybe as an outlier.
It became a fun little Thursday in Oakland, not the start of something special. That was decided Sunday, when the Raiders lost 34-14 to the host Buffalo Bills.
And we'll spare you the sugar coat. The Raiders got their butt's whooped.
They've lost four of five now and exceeded last season's loss total in half the time. The offense regressed. Special teams struggled mightily. The defense was put in some bad spots, but the pass rush couldn't impact Tyrod Taylor or slow slippery LeSean McCoy. (Shady had 151 yards rushing!!!) They lost the turnover battle by four.
That's losing football right there.
This was a game the Raiders needed to win. A four-game losing streak made margin for error miniscule. After dropping five of six, it's nonexistent.
Miracles happen, and it might take one to get back in the playoff mix.
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That's the case after playing right into Buffalo's hands. The Bills built upon their league-leading turnover margin, and made the Raiders work for every inch. That's how they win. The Raiders let them dictate that tempo.
They forced one fumble after another, recovering a few. Leonard Johnson popped the ball free from DeAndre Washington late in the second quarter, and Mike Milano returned it 40 yards for a touchdown.
That gave Buffalo a 14-7 lead heading into the second half.
It expanded early in the third quarter, when Jalen Richard lost control on a punt return. Milano popped it free, Mike Tolbert recovered and the Bills got a field goal.
Micah Hyde intercepted Derek Carr on the very next drive, and Stephen Hauschka tacked on another three.
The offense never got going in the second half, and scuffled trying to play it safe in the passing game. The calculated risk takers of last week didn't make the trip, and the offense floundered following a promising first drive.
They put a serviceable defense in bad spots all day, and never got going late when it mattered most.
The Raiders won't be in a good mood staying in Florida for the Miami game, knowing full well an extend winning streak is required to save a seemingly lost season.
