Week 13: Bills vs. Raiders
at
Sunday, Dec. 4th
4:05pm ET
The latest must win game is the toughest of all as the Bills travel to the West coast for the third time this year to take on AFC powerhouse Oakland. This is a city where the Bills have not won in 50 years. They did beat the Raiders while they were in Los Angeles. The Bills should be able to move the ball on their defense but slowing down MVP candidate Derek Carr will be a very tough task.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (6-5) vs. Oakland (9-2)
Place: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
TV/Radio: Network: CBS; DirecTV: 713; Sirius: 133; SiriusXM 232
Announcers: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, & Evan Washburn
Spread: Raiders by 3
Series: Raiders lead 20-19 (Bills 2-0 in playoffs)
Streak: Raiders Won 1
Last Meeting: Raiders 26-24 in Oakland (2014)
Raiders Offense: Rush (10th); Pass (4th); overall (5th)
Raiders Defense: Rush (26th); Pass (28th); overall (29th)
Bills Offense: Rush (1st); Pass (32nd); overall (18th)
Bills Defense: Rush (21st); Pass (8th); overall (10th)


INJURY UPDATE

The Bills are very banged up as Sammy Watkins is back but still bothered by soreness in his foot. The team is without Robert Woods and most likely Ronald Darby as well. The WR corps is very banged up and Percy Harvin will likely be sidelined again with his migraines as well. They should get Mike Gillislee back and Marcell Dareus is expected to play too.

The Raiders have seen LB Shilique Calhoun, CB Derek Hayden, DT Darius Latham, and DT Stacy McGee missing time this week with injuries. QB Derek Carr will play and says he won't be bothered by his dislocated pinky on his throwing hand. He will play with a glove on though.

Check out our Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.

KEY MATCHUPS

RT Jordan Mills vs. LB Khalil Mack:
Rex Ryan said the would feel sick if he was the right tackle that had to take on the all-world University of Buffalo product in Mack. Mills says he will be ready for him but this matchup is a huge advantage for the Raiders. They will need to give him lots of help in slowing down one of the league's best players.

RB LeSean McCoy vs. LB Malcolm Smith:
McCoy is the man the Bills count on the most on offense. If they have any chance at winning it starts with Shady. Smith leads the Raiders in tackles and will be looking for McCoy all game long.

DB Kevon Seymour vs. WR Michael Crabtree:
Darby won't play which means while Stephon Gilmore is locked up with the very dangerous Amari Cooper, Seymour gets the call against Crabtree. Crabtree is on fire right now as the Raiders #2 WR.

LB Jerry Hughes vs. RT Austin Howard:
Hughes has been quiet lately but needs a big game to help slow down the high powered offensive attack of the Raiders. Howard is a seasoned veteran who could be up for the challenge.

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Red Zone Defense: The Raiders will score a lot of points but there has been an increased scrutiny of the red zone defense that has struggled mightily in recent weeks. If they can make some plays down by the goal line and turn a few TDs into FGs then they have a chance at winning what promises to be a shootout.

2. Get Offense Humming: The Bills have scored their most points at this point of the season since 1992. They will need to add a lot of them this week for a chance at pulling off the upset. It will likely take north of 30 points to win this game.

3. Hold On To The Ball: Everyone is talking about how they have only given the ball away six times. That is an NFL record over 11 games. Turnovers come in bunches, this can't be the week for them to come or else a win will not happen.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

A win in the black hole would be a statement win. This team hasn't won a big road game late in the year in a very long time so it's not an overstatement to say a win over a two loss team would be the biggest this century. I think they will be ready to play and it will come down to the wire but the Raiders are just too good and too hot right now:
Raiders 34, Bills 30

Season Prediction Record: (10-1)
Season Record Against The Spread: (9-2)

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