RevWarRifleman Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 Great win for the Bills out in KC!! Enjoyed it thoroughly. But now we have the Raiders at the Ralph. I don't know that much about the Raiders,(because I dislike them so much) other than they have a "pretty good" defense. So, for the more informed Bills fans that do know about the Raiders, what are some key things, offensively & defensively, the Bills must do to win the game. PS: posters that want to put silly stuff on like, "score more points than they do....." need not respond. Ok, fire away.
Dorkington Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 I'm sure all the players will be watching tonight's Raiders game to get a look at them.
SDS Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 I'm liking the Raiders short week and the west coast to east coast trip myself....
Chandemonium Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 To me, the Raiders seem similar to the Chiefs, or at least what people expected the Chiefs to be like before we rolled them yesterday. Good D, strong running game,average at best QB. Their RB's are more of the bruiser type than Charles though. I don't know much about their receivers, and I'm not sure how their defensive backfield will be without Asomugha either. If we can stop the run and establish a balanced offensive attack we should win, especially with the crowd high on a big win on the road the previous week and it being the home opener
mrags Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 They were top 2 in rushing last year. So stop the run would be the biggest thing working towards a win. Make Campbell beat us through the air. If we can do that we can tee off on Campbell with the pass rush and bull rushes of Merriman, Kelsey, Dareus and Williams and let our LBs and DBs make plays. Doing what they do best. On offense we need to keep a steady run/pass selection of playcalls. Make sure to keep the run at the right times but keep the pass going to keep them honest and turning over those first downs. Fitz is gonna need to be consistant again for sure. We should win this ine by 2 TDs if all that happens. And send us soaring extremely high heading into week 3 at home against the Pats. If we do this and are able to defeat the Pats this year I see us turning things around this year instead of next year. I'd predict a 9-7 or 10-6 record with playoffs in our future.
Charles Romes Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 They always like to play man to man pass defense. That could be difficult since they are starting a rookie CB (Van Dycke) who is talented but still a rookie. Brees picked the kid apart in the preseason game I saw.
CodeMonkey Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 I'm liking the Raiders short week and the west coast to east coast trip myself.... Yes effectively 2 less days of preparation. Gotta believe that helps the Bills.
EasternOHBillsFan Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 Sustain all communications for the Raiders to be in contact with Al Davis the whole time they are in WNY. Offer a free beer night to all Polish-Americans on Saturday night.
playman Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 i plan on setting the clock at 03:30 to scout them
Billsrhody Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 They were top 2 in rushing last year. So stop the run would be the biggest thing working towards a win. Make Campbell beat us through the air. If we can do that we can tee off on Campbell with the pass rush and bull rushes of Merriman, Kelsey, Dareus and Williams and let our LBs and DBs make plays. Doing what they do best. On offense we need to keep a steady run/pass selection of playcalls. Make sure to keep the run at the right times but keep the pass going to keep them honest and turning over those first downs. Fitz is gonna need to be consistant again for sure. We should win this ine by 2 TDs if all that happens. And send us soaring extremely high heading into week 3 at home against the Pats. If we do this and are able to defeat the Pats this year I see us turning things around this year instead of next year. I'd predict a 9-7 or 10-6 record with playoffs in our future. I definitely agree on the strategy. If theres a team that most closely resembles the chiefs in the NFL its definitely the raiders. They rely on their run game to set everything else up. After losing asoughma they should be a lot less experienced in the secondary.. let's hope fitz can take advantage of that.
Ghost of Leonidas Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 The Raiders were one of the few teams that actually got worse in the off-season. They took a beating in free agency, losing LG Robert Gallery, CB Nnamdi Asomugha, and TE Zach Miller. Kevin Boss was signed to be Miller's replacement (although not quite the receiver Miller is), but there is no replacement for Asomugha and Gallery, despite busting at tackle, was a solid LG. They also lost QB Bruce Gradkowski who replaced an ineffective Jason Campbell at times last year. Last season the Raiders pass defense was second in the league. This was, in part, due to their porous run defense (similar to us). Expect that to drop precipitously with the departure of Asomugha. Stanford Routt is a solid corner, but there is a drop-off after him. There should be plenty of opportunities to pass the ball against this Oakland defense. And although their defensive line has Richard Seymour (who is still playing at a high level) and an overpaid Tommy Kelly, I wouldn't stay up late worrying about QB pressure. Their run defense, led by second-year man Rolando McClain, should be improved, but to what degree? On offense, Oakland has a formidable running attack led by former Razorback Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. Last year Oakland led the league in 20+ and 40+ runs, and were second in rushing touchdowns. They also brought in Rock Cartwright, but he's getting pretty old and wouldn't expect him to be much of a threat at this point in his career. Passing you've got the streaky Jason Campbell and a bunch of young, unknown receivers (sound familiar?). The WR I would be most worried about (especially with the injury to Murphy) is Jacoby Ford. He's just about the fastest man on the planet. Injuries: TE Kevin Boss (aforementioned) S Michael Mitchell (the bizarre 2nd round draft pick out of Ohio who most teams had a 7th round/FA grade on coming out of college) WR Louis Murphy (an up-and-coming Florida WR who was poised for a breakout 3rd season, overshadowing the disappointing Darrius Heyward-Bey) LB Darrius Blaylock (never heard of him) Hope this helps.
Just in Atlanta Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 Will have an educated analysis after the game tonight. But until then, I will say they are likely better than the Bills were at the start of last year: They have the sense to make Trent Edwards a third-stringer. My thoughts: Bowling ball running back. Weak passing game. An elusive but intellectually-challenged QB who scored like a 6 on the Wonderlic. A weak run defense, but solid secondary. That's just speculation, though. Barring any amazing play tonight, I think we are by far the better team. Haven't really felt that about any opponent in several years. I won't end with the "it's only the first week" cliche. I do think we're solid. But I will end with "let's see how we look against New England" cliche before I start getting all starry eyed.
clearwater cadet Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 I'm sure all the players will be watching tonight's Raiders game to get a look at them. I second that!
Jauronimo Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 We fall back on superior firepower and superior intelligence. And thats all she wrote.
GOBILLS78 Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 what are some key things, offensively & defensively, the Bills must do to win the game. Stop the run. Do that, and they give themselves a good chance.
Dorkington Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 The Raiders were one of the few teams that actually got worse in the off-season. They took a beating in free agency, losing LG Robert Gallery, CB Nnamdi Asomugha, and TE Zach Miller. Kevin Boss was signed to be Miller's replacement (although not quite the receiver Miller is), but there is no replacement for Asomugha and Gallery, despite busting at tackle, was a solid LG. They also lost QB Bruce Gradkowski who replaced an ineffective Jason Campbell at times last year. Last season the Raiders pass defense was second in the league. This was, in part, due to their porous run defense (similar to us). Expect that to drop precipitously with the departure of Asomugha. Stanford Routt is a solid corner, but there is a drop-off after him. There should be plenty of opportunities to pass the ball against this Oakland defense. And although their defensive line has Richard Seymour (who is still playing at a high level) and an overpaid Tommy Kelly, I wouldn't stay up late worrying about QB pressure. Their run defense, led by second-year man Rolando McClain, should be improved, but to what degree? On offense, Oakland has a formidable running attack led by former Razorback Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. Last year Oakland led the league in 20+ and 40+ runs, and were second in rushing touchdowns. They also brought in Rock Cartwright, but he's getting pretty old and wouldn't expect him to be much of a threat at this point in his career. Passing you've got the streaky Jason Campbell and a bunch of young, unknown receivers (sound familiar?). The WR I would be most worried about (especially with the injury to Murphy) is Jacoby Ford. He's just about the fastest man on the planet. Injuries: TE Kevin Boss (aforementioned) S Michael Mitchell (the bizarre 2nd round draft pick out of Ohio who most teams had a 7th round/FA grade on coming out of college) WR Louis Murphy (an up-and-coming Florida WR who was poised for a breakout 3rd season, overshadowing the disappointing Darrius Heyward-Bey) LB Darrius Blaylock (never heard of him) Hope this helps. Excellent write-up! I plan to watch the game tonight to get an idea... I feel like the Raiders are another of those "bad" but could possibly "surprise" teams, like the Bills in many ways.
tamauku Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 Raiders also have new coach and no off season to work together.
HeHateMe Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 The Bills should be about 3 pt favorites to win at home. Depending on how Oakland looks tonight, it should stay close to that line. Stop Run DMC and eliminate their big plays in the run game and you have a good chance to win. Force Campbell to beat you.
2020 Our Year For Sure Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 (edited) Defensively we need to focus on stopping the run as many have said and will say, but we also need to play the secondary back and take away the deep pass. With regard to Jason Campbell, think a competent version of JP Losman. He is an average starting quarterback at best but he throws a tremendous deep ball, and has a cannon. Pair that with Jacoby Ford and Heyward-Bay on the outside and this is a team designed to get the ball downfield through the air. The secondary must be ready for this. The coaches need to be ready for it too. If you force Campbell to throw underneath all game he WILL make mistakes. The front 7 keys on McFadden, the back 4 take away the bomb. I'm not sure what Oakland does defensively but I believe they are stout up the middle personnel-wise. We had some success at Arrowhead running off tackle between Bell and Levitre, that's something you'd want to continue. As always, if you can get the ground game working, you can use play action and that opens up the entire playbook and makes you near-impossible to defend if you execute. Gailey likes to come out spreading the field and firing, which then opens up the run and in turn activates play action. It'll be interesting to see how he comes out offensively this week. Edited September 12, 2011 by Big Bad Boone
PromoTheRobot Posted September 12, 2011 Posted September 12, 2011 (edited) Bills fans must fill the stadium and make more noise than they ever have before. I'm talking more than Cowboys Monday Night level. PTR Edited September 12, 2011 by PromoTheRobot
Recommended Posts