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OAKLAND RAIDERS (0-0) vs. BUFFALO BILLS (1-0)
When: Sunday, September 18, 1:00 PM ET.
Where: Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo, New York
Broadcast: CBS
Raiders vs. Bills Betting Lines:
Spread: Bills -3 ½
Moneyline: Raiders +155: Bills -175
Total: 42 ½ points
It is hard to believe that either one of the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills will be 2-0 after Sunday’s contest but it is true! Oakland rode a strong running game to victory in Week 1 while the Bills did the unthinkable – destroyed the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead. Sunday’s showdown will be the most unforeseen AFC marquee matchup imaginable.
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Oakland ran wild against Denver to nobody’s surprise – 190 total rushing yards was headlined by Darren McFadden’s 150 yards. Now they get to face a Buffalo defense that ranked last in the NFL in 2010 with an average of 169.6 yards allowed per game. Jason Campbell and the passing game limited mistakes but was essentially ineffective in Week 1 making the running game the key to their success.
Buffalo shocked the NFL world with a 41-7 white-washing of the Chiefs in Week 1 thanks to an efficient passing game and a rejuvenated Fred Jackson who rumbled for 112 yards. Ryan Fitzpatrick passed for four touchdowns and utilized all of his underappreciated weapons on offense. A balanced offensive attack is something that has rarely been seen in Buffalo but is certainly something that will serve them well going forward.
Defense is the key to this game. For the Raiders, the passing defense that allowed 304 yards to Denver will be front and center. For the Bills a much maligned run defense that ranked last in the league last year will have to step up. The edge, believe it or not has to go to Buffalo at this point in time. The Bills allowed just 213 yards of offense to the Chiefs last week and held one of the best running games in check throughout the afternoon. Oakland showed some cracks in the passing game – something that a confident Ryan Fitzpatrick will likely be able to exploit.
Betting Outlook: Both teams have some interesting trends going for them ahead of this game. Oakland has won four of the last five games between the teams and is 7-1-1 ATS in their last nine meetings with the Bills. The Raiders are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games overall and are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games on the road.
Buffalo is 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 games overall and are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games against AFC opponents.
This should be an interesting game to say the very least. Both the Raiders and the Bills are confident and looking to go an improbable 2-0 on the season. Oakland enters the game on a short week, having to travel across country for their early Sunday game and I think that will be the difference. Buffalo demonstrated superb balance on both sides of the ball in Week 1 and should be able to get it done on Sunday. The Buffalo Bills will be 2-0 and leading their division on Sunday evening as strange as that sounds!
The odds makers have the Buffalo Bills as a -3.5 point favorite with an over/under of 42.5.
Pick: Buffalo Bills -3 ½
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Oakland Raiders Betting Trends:
- Oakland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland’s last 5 games
- Oakland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
- Oakland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Buffalo
Buffalo Bills Betting Trends:
- Buffalo is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games
- Buffalo is 5-12-1 SU in its last 18 games,
- Buffalo is 5-16 SU in its last 21 games at home
- Buffalo is 6-13-2 ATS in its last 21 games at home
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