Predominantly Orange
FanSided

Denver Broncos 2016: AFC West Preview-Week Thirteen

By Craig Hurst

Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) calls out in the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) calls out in the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Tyrod Taylor
Nov 27, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) carries the ball past Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Telvin Smith (50) during the second half at New Era Field. The Bills won 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

Buffalo Bills at Oakland Raiders:

Last week the Raiders secured their ninth win of the season by narrowly beating the Carolina Panthers 35-32; a game the Raiders had in control but allowed the Panthers to make it close in the second half.  The victory over the Panthers was the Raiders fifth consecutive win.  

The Buffalo Bills, while having won their last two games, are sitting at 6-5 and in third place in the AFC East.  The playoffs are not out of the question for the Bills, but at this point in the season, they are on the extreme outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture.  After traveling across the country to face the Raiders, the Bills will be at home for the next three weeks.

Derek Carr continues to roll on and no doubt, should be one of the quarterbacks in the pro bowl. Carr has thrown for 3,115 yards and 22 touchdowns in the first eleven games.  These stellar numbers are good enough to rank him fifth in the league; second in the AFC behind Philip Rivers.

Could the Buffalo Bills slow them down?

The Bills passing defense may present a challenge, as they are ranked eighth in the league and are allowing 227.7 yards per game.   

The Bills offense leads the league in rushing with average of 157.4 yards per game but are ranked last in passing (182.5 ypg). You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what the Bills offensive strength is but I have a feeling they will focus on the passing game against the Raiders.  

The Raiders passing defense allows 273.5 yards per game, which ranks them 28th overall. Last week Cam Newton threw for 246 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception against the Raiders.  Tyrod Taylor, the Bills starting quarterback, averages 191 yards per game and has thrown eleven touchdowns.

Oakland is picked to win this game but I am thinking this may be an upset.  The Bills record at this point in the season is far from impressive, but four out of their five losses were by six points or less.  The Raiders are getting lots of attention across the league and talks of representing the AFC in the Super Bowl seem to be more common.  I am hoping Rex Ryan and his players use this as motivation.

Prediction: Oakland 20, Buffalo 21

Home/Broncos News