The Oakland Raiders are back inside the friendly confines of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Sunday afternoon, as they play host to the Buffalo Bills in Week 13 action.
The Silver and Black enter today's matchup winners of five in a row, and the 6-5 Buffalo Bills have won back-to-back games, and need a victory to remain in the thick of things in the AFC playoff race.
Pregame:
Following the team's Fast Friday session, Head Coach Jack Del Rio announced that linebacker Shilique Calhoun, and defensive tackles Darius Latham and Stacy McGee would be out of Sunday's bout with the Bills dealing with injury.
He also ruled out cornerback DJ Hayden, and Saturday afternoon, the team announced that the fourth-year cornerback would be placed on the Reserve/Injured list, ending his 2016 season.
In a corresponding move, the Silver and Black elevated defensive lineman Branden Jackson to the active roster, who will look to make his NFL debut this afternoon.
Here are the Raiders inactive players for today's matchup with the Bills:
Quarterback Connor Cook
Cornerback Antonio Hamilton
Running back DeAndré Washington
Defensive tackle Darius Latham
Guard Denver Kirkland
Linebacker Shilique Calhoun
Defensive tackle Stacy McGee
The captains for today's game are running back Latavius Murray, defensive end Khalil Mack, quarterback Derek Carr, center Rodney Hudson, safety Reggie Nelson, and linebacker Daren Bates.
Buffalo won the toss, but elected to defer to the second half.
First Quarter:
Jalen Richard took a knee in the end zone on the opening kickoff, so Derek Carr – sans glove – and the Raiders offense began the drive at their own 25-yard line.
However, the Silver and Black couldn't get anything rolling on their first offensive possession, and were forced to punt the ball away to Tyrod Taylor and the Buffalo offense.
Taylor came quickly out of the gates, orchestrating a 10-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a 27-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter.
With the early points, the Bills have jumped out to a 3-0 lead with 8:02 left in the first quarter.
Derek Carr and the Raiders would not be down for long though, as Sebastian Janikowski just connected on a 47-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3 with 4:35 left in the first quarter.
We've come to the end of the first quarter, and while the score is still 3-3, the Bills are threatening, as they'll face a 3rd and 1 from the Raiders five-yard line when play resumes.
Second Quarter:
The Buffalo Bills have found the end zone.
On 2nd and goal, running back Mike Gillislee rumbled into the end zone from one-yard out, and following the converted PAT, the Bills have now gone ahead 10-3 with 13:28 left in the second quarter.
The two teams have exchanged punts throughout a bulk of the second quarter, but Sebastian Janikowski has added another field goal – this one from 41 yards out – to pull the Raiders within four.
With 2:56 left in the second quarter, the Bills now lead 10-6.
However, on the final play of the half, Janikowski converted another 47-yard field goal, which has brought the Silver and Black within one point as the teams return to the locker room.
The Bills still lead 10-9 and will receive the ball to start the second half.
Third Quarter:
And just like that, the Bills have found the end zone.
In just two plays, the Buffalo offense drove down the length of the field, punctuating the short drive with a 12-yard touchdown run by Tyrod Taylor.
The PAT was good, so with 14:03 left in the third quarter, the Bills have increased their lead to 17-9.
The Bills have answered though, as Taylor orchestrated a 10-play, 54-yard drive that was punctuated by a two-yard touchdown by Mike Gillislee.
After the converted PAT, the Raiders now trail the Bills 24-9 with 9:01 left in the third quarter.
However, the Raiders have answered in the form of a three-yard touchdown pass from Carr to Michael Crabtree.
No. 15's score punctuated a nine-play, 75-yard drive, and following Janikowski's converted PAT, the Bills now lead just 24-16 with 5:17 left in the third quarter.
INJURY UPDATE: Safety Karl Joseph has a foot injury and is QUESTIONABLE to return.
Well, we have a brand new ballgame on our hands.
After the Raiders defense was able to force a punt, Carr and the offense quickly took advantage, and just five plays later, Latavius Murray leaped over the Bills defensive line into the end zone.
Janikowski connected on the PAT, so with less than a minute left in the third quarter, the Raiders now trail just 24-23.
We've now come to the end of the third quarter, and the Raiders are still trailing 24-23.
However, when play resumes, Taylor and the Bills offense will be facing a 3rd and 15 from their own 20-yard line.
Fourth Quarter:
Have a second half, Derek Carr.
After the Raiders defense forced yet another Buffalo punt, No. 4 made quick work of the Bills defense, punctuating Oakland's first offensive drive of the fourth quarter with a gorgeous 37-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper.
After the converted PAT by Janikowski, the Raiders now lead 30-24 with 14:08 left in the fourth quarter.
Although the Raiders were forced to punt the ball back to the Bills, the Silver and Black's defense made sure to get the ball back quickly, as Nate Allen picked off a Tyrod Taylor pass just outside the red zone.
Four players later, the Tay Train left the station once again, as Latavius Murray rumbled into the end zone from three yards out to increase the Raiders lead.
Head Coach Jack Del Rio elected to go for two, and the conversion was successful, so with 8:34 left in the fourth quarter, the Raiders have now increased their lead to 38-24.
By the way, the Raiders have now scored 29 unanswered points.
The Bills drove the length of the field deep into Raiders territory, but Khalil Mack singlehandedly ended the scoring threat, sacking Taylor, forcing a fumble, and then recovering that fumble himself.
From there, the Raiders were able to control the clock, eventually winning the Week 13 game against the Bills 38-24, improving their record to 10-2 in the process.
