After dropping a 38-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Raiders must clean up several areas to get back into the win column next weekend. Though things are never as bad as they appear, here are a few observations from the Raiders' disappointing loss on the road.
Raiders commit too many "DBOs" violations
Josh McDaniels is one of the many coaches who stresses the "DBOs" (Don't Beat Ourselves) principles to his team. The list is built around the premise of avoiding the self-inflicted mistakes that routinely result in losing outcomes. Turnovers, pre-snap and/or foolish penalties, and big plays allowed are difference-makers in games, and teams who make egregious mistakes are often losers on gameday.
The Raiders finished with a minus-three margin in the takeaway column while surrendering 450 yards of offense on an assortment of big plays on the ground and through the air. Although the Bills' approach was not fancy, it was effective due to the Raiders' self-inflicted mistakes throughout the game. From Jimmy Garoppolo's interceptions to Zamir White's fumble to the big plays surrendered to James Cook and Gabe Davis, the Raiders did not play winning football, resulting in a lopsided loss.
While the outsiders will suggest the Bills were a superior team based on their individual and collective talents, the Raiders' miscues ultimately turned a competitive contest into a game that halted the momentum from a Week 1 win.
What happened to Josh Jacobs?
The 2022 NFL rushing champ was expected to run through a Bills defense that allowed 170-plus rush yards in the season opener. As a rugged runner with exceptional vision, balance and body control, Jacobs' dynamic running style should have given the Bills problems whenever the marquee back was handed the ball.
However, the Bills kept Jacobs under wraps as part of a concerted effort to suffocate the Raiders' running game. The Bills outworked and outmaneuvered the Raiders at the point of attack while flying to football with reckless abandon. Moreover, the Bills stopped Jacobs with immediate penetration to keep the running back from finding open creases between the tackles.
Although nine rushing attempts are not enough chances for the Raiders' top offensive weapon, the Bills kept Jacobs quiet, and the offense sputtered without his contributions as a playmaker.
The defense has some work to do
It is hard to win games in the NFL when you cannot force the opponent into a one-dimensional approach. Whether it is controlling the ground attack or suffocating the passing game, the best teams force their opponents to play "left-handed" from the opening snap.
Against the Bills, the Raiders could not control Josh Allen and Co. on the ground or through the air. The Bills rushed for 183 yards on 35 attempts, with James Cook topping the century mark (123 yards) on 17 attempts. The second-year pro repeatedly found seams between the tackles on inside-zone runs and sprint draws while also finding success on the perimeter on bounce plays.
The lack of penetration and gap control was disappointing for a group that prioritizes fundamentals, discipline and physicality.
The Raiders' pass defense was equally disappointing, with the linebackers and defensive backs unable to contain the Bills' pass catchers on the perimeter. Allen completed passes to nine different receivers in an efficient effort that saw him finish with just six incompletions.
With the pass rush unable to force Allen off his spot, the Raiders were forced to play a seven-on-seven game against a red-hot quarterback tossing the ball around with supreme confidence.
View the best photos from the Raiders' Week 2 matchup against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders' helmets hang in the locker room before the Raiders' arrival for their regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) arrives to the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) arrives to the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) arrives to the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) on the bench before the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) warming up before the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Marcus Peters (24) warming up before the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) warming up before the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) warming up before the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Marcus Epps (1) warming up before the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson (45) warming up before the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) and kicker Daniel Carlson (2) warming up before the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis and General Manager Dave Ziegler before the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) warming up before the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis and punter AJ Cole (6) before the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders defensive backs huddle during warm ups before the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Austin Hooper (81) kneels in the end zone before the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during the national anthem before the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders assistant offensive line coach Cameron Clemmons during the national anthem before the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders offense huddles during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) rushes during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) passes during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) heads to the end zone on a 16-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) is congratulated by running back Josh Jacobs (8) after making a 16-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) eyes the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) calls out the snap count during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Marcus Peters (24) lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Isaac Rochell (96) lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) one the field during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson (45) on the field during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) defends during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) passes during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) makes a catch during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) rushes during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) calls out the defense during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) makes a catch during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) lines up before kicking a 47-yard field goal during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (91) pressures the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) rushes the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) goes to make a tackle during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Josh McDaniels on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks off during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) eyes the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Marcus Peters (24) and cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) make a tackle during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) pressures the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) calls out the defense during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Austin Hooper (81) makes a catch during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) rushes the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) rushes the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (91) on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (21) on the bench during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Roderic Teamer (33) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) calls out the defense during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) rushes during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) make a catch during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) rushes during the regular season away game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
