Las Vegas Raiders / Josh Allen

Raiders Must Avoid Repeating This Nightmare Against the Bills

The Buffalo Bills crushed the Las Vegas Raiders 38-17 in 2023. With Buffalo looming again, the Silver and Black must prove they have learned from that embarrassing defeat.

Before their Week 6 matchup at Allegiant Stadium, the Bills and Raiders last met at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. That game came in Week 2 of the 2023 season. The Raiders (1-0) arrived fresh off a tight win over the Denver Broncos, while the Bills were coming off a loss to the New York Jets. Buffalo not only fell to an inferior team but lost to a backup quarterback after Aaron Rodgers suffered an Achilles injury.

With that history in mind, here is a spoiler alert: the rematch was no contest. One team finished with just 34 rushing yards in total, and its leading rusher was a wide receiver from the University of Cincinnati. Here are the results of the Sept. 17, 2023, game, which that team can hopefully learn from.

The Stars for Each Team

Buffalo was led by quarterback Josh Allen, widely considered one of the best in the NFL. Las Vegas countered with Jimmy Garoppolo, who was brought in to succeed Derek Carr. In the backfield, James Cook started for the Bills, with former Raiders running back Latavius Murray behind him. Buffalo also still had star wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

On the other sideline, the Raiders’ backfield was led by Josh Jacobs and Zamir White. Davante Adams headed the receiving corps, with Hunter Renfrow in a supporting role. Both Las Vegas units played for Josh McDaniels, who was in his final season as an NFL head coach.

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Buffalo Bills Dominate the Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders entered the 2023 matchup with the better record, but they came up short in nearly every area. The offense was nonexistent. Las Vegas could not establish a running game, and Garoppolo also threw multiple interceptions.

Buffalo, by contrast, was dominant in all phases. Allen finished with three touchdown passes, and Cook turned 17 carries into 123 rushing yards. The Raiders never had a realistic chance, and the Bills cruised to a 38-17 victory.

That performance makes this weekend’s rematch pivotal for the Silver and Black. Las Vegas is now 3-2, and a win Sunday would earn the team considerable respect around the league. To get there, the Raiders cannot repeat their last showing against Buffalo.

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