Hello, Raider Nation, welcome back to this week’s Talking Touchdowns. After beating the Kansas City Chiefs, the last thing we all expected was such terrible loss this past Sunday to the Buffalo Bills. But it happened and now we have dropped five of our past six games.
Oakland Raiders vs. Buffalo Bills
Turnovers are what killed the Raiders in their 34-14 loss to the Bills. In the span of just a little over four minutes in the second and third quarters, Oakland turned over the ball three times and the Bills took full advantage turning those three turnovers into 13 points.
The wet weather didn’t help us at all either, as the Raiders were slipping and sliding. Overall we had four turnovers , with two interceptions by Derek Carr and lost fumbles by Deandre Washington and Jalen Richard. One of those lead to a touchdown at the end of the first, which was the turning point for the Raiders.
It was embarrassing, especially with LeSean Mccoy rattling off 151 yards on the ground and baiting Oakland by holding the ball out for them from about 10 yards out and then proceeding to run a 48-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Savage.
This loss really affected us and removed any margin of error we had. Now we need to find a 6-2 stretch to even challenge for playoff contention. It’s going to be a long, frustrating second half of the year.
Oakland Raiders vs. Miami Dolphins
Up next we face the Miami Dolphins who are coming off a 40-0 loss against Baltimore, their worst shutout loss in 20 years. QB Jay Cutler, who missed that game due to do multiple cracked ribs, is expected to play this Sunday.
The Dolphins are ranked 32nd, the worst offensive team in the NFL, but that doesn’t mean much considering our offense hasn’t clicked at all this year. The truth is our new rushing approach isn’t working and we have reached the halfway point of 2017 without logging a single interception.
The Raiders need to have a fast start. The offensive line needs to protect Carr because they will be facing two very good pass rushers in Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake. The defense needs to take advantage of Miami’s weak offense and create turnovers.
The Raiders aren’t oblivious to what they have to do. In his postgame press conference Derek Carr said he won’t shut up all week about how hard they need to go in practice, because they are at that point and what they have been doing hasn’t been good enough. Couldn’t agree with you more Derek.
Game Prediction
Good luck to The Raiders. I am still rooting for you guys so please get this W because the schedule is not getting any lighter. Up next we have Patriots, Broncos, Chiefs, Cowboys and Eagles. We are out here holding our heads high for you guys. Please don’t keep breaking our hearts!
[NFL-Raiders-footer]Photo Credits:
- Oakland Raiders on Wikimedia Commons by Oakland Raiders
- Chiefs Uniforms on Wikipedia by Fernando Martello
- Buffalo Bills blue on Wikimedia Commons by Moe Epsilon
- LeSean McCoy on flickr by Keith Allison
- Miami Dolphins on Wikimedia Commons by Miami Dolphins
- Baltimore Ravens on Wikimedia Commons by Baltimore Ravens
- Derek Carr on Wikimedia Commons by Erik Drost
- Ndamukong Suh on flickr by Keith Allison
- Cameron Wake on Wikimedia Commons by Jeffrey Beall
- Denver Bronco Logo on Wikimedia by NFLCommunications.com
- Kansas City Chiefs on Wikimedia Commons by Kansas City Chiefs
- Cowboys on Wikimedia Commons by Dallas Cowboys
- Eagles on Wikimedia Commons by Philadelphia Eagles
