Bills vs. Raiders Preview: Can Josh Allen Rebound?
The Buffalo Bills welcome the Las Vegas Raiders to Highmark Stadium on Sunday afternoon for their 2023 home opener.
On a short week of preparation, the Bills must rebound from the sting of self-inflicted wounds in their season-opening 22-16 overtime loss to the New York Jets on Monday. On a night when the Jets lost four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the season, four turnovers by Josh Allen breathed life into New York.
Meanwhile, the Raiders spoiled Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton's home debut in Week 1, gutting out a 17-16 divisional win.
The Bills offense looks to get back on track after scoring only a single touchdown in a regular season game for the first time since December 2021.
Allen has finished with 5,000-plus offensive yards and 40-plus touchdowns in back-to-back seasons. Additions to the Bills offense like Dalton Kincaid, Trent Sherfield, Deonte Harty, Damien Harris, Connor McGovern and O'Cyrus Torrence could help him reach those numbers again, if he minimizes the turnovers.
One of the top defenses in the league last season, Buffalo looks to get after Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Heand receiver Jakobi Meyers connected for two touchdowns in Week 1. However, Meyers will have to clear concussion protocol to play Sunday in Buffalo.
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The three-time defending AFC East champions Bills looked anything but in Week 1. Sunday is an opportunity to get back on track at home and avoid an 0-2 start.
FUN FACT: The Raiders have not beaten the Bills since the 2016 season.
RECORDS: Buffalo Bills (0-1) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (1-0)
ODDS: Buffalo is a 8.5-point favorite vs. the Raiders.
GAME TIME: Sunday, Sept. 17th, 2023 at 1 p.m. ET
LOCATION: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
TV/RADIO: CBS, WGR 550
THE FINAL WORD: Bills head coach Sean McDermott after the Week 1 loss:
"We made it pretty hard on ourselves," Bills head coach Sean McDermott said. "When you turn the ball over four times, it's hard to win in this league. You're playing two opponents, the one on the other sideline and yourself, and that's what we did tonight. That's not the right formula to win games in the NFL...We beat ourselves."
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