After nearly blowing a large lead against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3, the Buffalo Bills look for a 4-0 start on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders are looking to bounce back from a rough performance in Foxborough against the New England Patriots.
Bills
The Bills are coming off another strong game from quarterback Josh Allen, scoring five touchdowns in the air and on the ground combined. Buffalo’s offense will have a solid chance to repeat their performance, going up against a Raiders’ defense that is 27th in opponent yards per game. Expect the Bills to dominate in the running game as well. Devin Singletary averages 4.9 yards per carry and the Raiders’ defense allows 163.7 rushing yards per game (28th). Allen is also solid on the ground, averaging 28 yards per game. Stefon Diggs, John Brown, and Cole Beasley have all excelled all season so far, so expect them to do well against a young, inexperienced Raiders secondary.
One unit to watch is the Bills’ defense, especially in the passing game. Buffalo’s pass defense is nearly the opposite of the rush defense. The Bills are 28th in opponent yards per game (274.7) compared to the team’s sixth-ranked rushing defense, allowing 106 yards per game. While the Raiders are short-handed on the receiving end, they should not be completely ruled out, so expect the Bills’ secondary to be tested in Week 4.
Raiders
Las Vegas is looking to bounce back after a horrendous performance in Foxborough during Week 3. The Raiders are at a disadvantage prior to kickoff due to the injury bug that hit them hard. Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards are ruled out. They are crucial to the Raiders’ offense because, while their stats have not been eye-popping, their speed allows other weapons to get open. Rico Gafford‘s speed plays a huge part as well and he is not expected to play. However, the Bills do struggle in defending the passing game, so expect Derek Carr to target Hunter Renfrow, Zay Jones, and Nelson Agholor more, especially if they defend Darren Waller well.
Josh Jacobs is having a solid sophomore season so far, but when going up against a challenging Bills’ rush defense, expect the Raiders to utilize more play-action and check-down screens for him. The good news for Las Vegas is that their offensive line is almost back to full health. The key for the Raiders is figuring out how to slow down Allen because of his ability to use his legs and not just his arm. Las Vegas has struggled all year defensively, but linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski will be back calling the plays on defense. Safety Johnathan Abram is struggling with a shoulder injury but is expected to play. With rookie Damon Arnette on injured reserve, it is crucial for the secondary to hold up against a solid Bills’ receiving core.
Game Info
Date: Oct. 4, 2020
Start Time: 1:25 p.m. PST
Location: Las Vegas, Nev.
Stadium: Allegiant Stadium
TV Info: CBS
Betting Odds Sponsored by Jazz Sportsbook
Point Spread: BUF -3 (-110) | LV +3 (-110)
Moneyline: BUF -180 | LV +145
Over/Under: O 53 (-110) | U 53 (-110)
Both teams have experienced struggles in their pass defense, so expect the game to be high-scoring. The Bills have one of the top offenses in the National Football League and will face an inexperienced and depleted secondary. However, due to the Raiders’ injuries at wide receiver, be cautious about going with the over, despite Carr’s success so far. The under is a slightly safer approach in Week 4.
Prediction
The Raiders are proving that they are a young, up-and-coming team with their offensive success. However, the Bills’ offense will be a big test for them and while they have struggled all year in the run game, the odds are in their favor against a defensive line who has not performed up to its expectations. Las Vegas will get some points in the passing game and expect them to throw more this game. It will not be enough to take down a surging Allen and Bills’ offense, so Buffalo will take the victory.
Final Score: Buffalo Bills 34, Las Vegas Raiders 26
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