Week 13 Notes and Observations: Oakland Raiders vs. Buffalo Bills

Scouting notes and observations following the Oakland Raiders rally-from-behind Week 13 home victory over Rex Ryan’s Buffalo Bills.

The Oakland Raiders continue to effectively weave their way through the 2016 season in with one wild victory after another. In their 12th game of the season, the Raiders secured their 10th win via 29 unanswered second half points, on the way to a 38-24 final tally.

The Raiders’ 10 wins represent the first double-digit winning season since the infamous 2002 season that ended in a Super Bowl loss.

In front of another raucous Black Hole crowd, the Raiders continued to define themselves as a “by any means” team. They have rarely just come out and stomp the opposition and left no doubt. Instead, nearly every game is a whirlwind, with some form of come-from-behind as they look to “Just Win Baby”. So far, the famous Al Davis epitaph is certainly representative of the Raiders’ 2016 season.

The story of Sunday’s game was the Raiders’ 29-point 2nd half rally led by franchise cornerstones Derek Carr and Khalil Mack. Carr led the offense on four 2nd half TD drives, while Mack played a huge role in two critical turnovers forced by the defense.

With another huge win in their pocket and the record now 10-2, the Raiders face a quick turnaround to a Thursday night game. And this one will be a doozy, folks — the Raiders head to Kansas City to take on the 9-3 Chiefs for sole possession of first place in the AFC West. It is set up to be a true heavyweight fight early in the football weekend. LET’S GO!

Here are various notes and observations from the Raiders’ latest home win, including all areas of the game — offense, defense, and special teams.

Dec 4, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after a two-point conversion pass in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Billsduring a NFL football game at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Bills 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

No Pinky, No Problem – Offense

1. Derek Carr and his little finger

In the prior outing vs. the Panthers, Derek Carr gave Raider Nation a collective heart attack via a mangled pinky on a bad snap exchange under center. Carr returned in that contest and led the team to a thrilling comeback win.

The question all week was, how would Carr’s pinky respond a week later?

While the Raiders took a cautious approach and turned the offense into a 100% shotgun look — no under center snaps — Carr and the offense put together another explosive scoring performance. It proved the pinky was not an issue.

After a somewhat slow start in the first half — the Raiders had 9 points in the half behind three Sebastian Janikowski field goals — the Raiders’ offense roared to life in the final 24 minutes, putting up four TDs. Carr led the way with 260 air yards and 2 passing TDs with nary a turnover.

Carr played all 71 offensive snaps, as the pinky did not cause any disruption. He continued to make his case as a potential MVP candidate. The short week trip to KC will put that candidacy to the test.

2. Targets For All

Carr moved the ball around to a wide range of targets in this contest, with seven players catching a pass and Mychal Rivera coming up big in the middle of the field.

Rivera played 20 snaps and made an impact up the seam, with multiple great catches in traffic. He ended with 3 catches for an impactful 57 yards and huge first downs.

As has been the case all year, Amari Cooper led all Raiders WRs with 63 offensive snaps played, but his performance was limited for the second straight week by a lack of targets. Coop had just 2 catches for 59 yards on the day, but he did make a spectacular play on a slant-and-go where he ran a picture perfect route and finished with a full extension lay out into the end zone to secure the points.

Michael Crabtree played 57 snaps and led the team with 7 receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown. After an early drop on a sure TD in the first half, which was followed by a taunting penalty — who gets a taunting penalty after a drop? — Crabtree rebounded and made several key plays in the 2nd half, including the team’s first TD of the afternoon in the back of the end zone.

Seth Roberts played a hefty slot workload as the Raiders played exclusively from the shotgun and primarily spread due to Carr’s pinky injury. Roberts checked in with 55 snaps and caught 2 passes for 18 yards. Roberts had multiple drops on the day, however.

TE Clive Walford played 45 snaps and made one catch for 18 yards. RBs Latavius Murray and Taiwan Jones added pass catching production from the backfield.

3. The Bouncers

With Carr having a banged up throwing hand, the protection of the OL was that much more important. The Big Boys up front rose to the occasion and shut down the Bills pass rush to the tune of zero sacks.

The continuity of the Raiders’ top flight OL continued as Donald Penn, Kelechi Osemele, Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson and Austin Howard all played the full 71 offensive snaps. Carr and Murray rewarded the group with a trip to Oracle Arena Monday night to watch the Warriors and see Klay Thompson drop 60 points in 29 minutes. You love seeing this team bonding for a group who has played excellently.

The O-Line also got back on track in opening holes in the ground game, as the Raiders put up 139 yards on the ground along with two TDs. It was another masterful performance for one of the better offensive fronts in the game.

4. Murray and the Backfield

Since returning from a turf toe injury, Murray has gradually taken larger command of the backfield reps. Murray logged 50 offensive snaps and put up quality production, with 105 yards from scrimmage on 23 touches. Murray also punched in two more TDs to extend his team lead to 11 scores. Murray has been increasingly establishing himself as a consistent force in this offense.

For the second week in a row, rookie Jalen Richard served as the lone complement on the ground, as fellow rookie DeAndre Washington was a healthy scratch. In 17 offensive snaps, Richard was electric and put up a dynamic 53 yards on 9 carries. It is interesting that the UDFA has out-paced the 5th round pick Washington.

FB Jamize Olawale played just 10 offensive snaps and was again very quiet as the Raiders worked exclusively from the gun.

Overall, the story on offense was Derek Carr being healthy and the offense catching fire in the 2nd half for 29 unanswered points. The team will be tested by the Chiefs’ well-rounded defense on Thursday night in an environment that would surely be loud. The Raiders have not played a true road game since the Buccaneers game in late-October. The communication will be tested in Arrowhead.

Dec 4, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) trips up Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) in the second quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Lay The Mack Hand – Defense

1. Mack for DPOY

A week after wrecking the Carolina Panthers, Khalil Mack put on another dominant performance.

Mack played 68 of 72 defensive snaps and again was DOMINANT. Mack put up 7 total tackles including 2 for a loss, tipped a Tyrod Taylor pass that led to a Nate Allen interception, and again put an exclamation mark on the game with a strip sack fumble recovery. What a beast! I love watching Khalil Mack play football. Enjoy it, Raider Nation.

Fellow edge Bruce Irvin also played very well, he matched Mack’s 68 snaps and contributed his own sack and 5 total tackles. The “Slash Brothers” have been living up to their billing as the season hits the home stretch.

The defensive interior was led by hybrid defenders Denico Autry and rookie Jihad Ward, who played respective season-high snap counts of 63 and 62. The linear and active hybrid DTs have gradually taken over as the primary interior players for the Raiders. Autry chipped in the Raiders’ third sack of the game.

The Raiders got good news with the return to practice for injured DL Mario Edwards Jr., while suspended Edge Aldon Smith should have a ruling soon. The Raiders probably will not have the reinforcements for KC, but they could be back for the final three weeks of the regular season if all goes well.

2. Secondary

The Raiders DB corps played fairly well considering they were missing starting safety Karl Joseph (toe) and slot CB D.J. Hayden (hamstring). The Raiders held the Bills under 200 yards despite the return of top target Sammy Watkins.

Veteran FS Reggie Nelson played all 72 snaps. Starting CB David Amerson returned to the field after missing the Panthers game with injury, he played 70 snaps and had a key pass break up on a 3rd down pass to Watkins during the Raiders’ rally.

Fellow CB Sean Smith also played 70 snaps. Joseph played 20 snaps before leaving for Nate Allen, who got his first run at safety of the season. Allen played 40 defensive snaps, along with his usual 25 special teams reps. Allen had the key interception on the Mack tip and also broke up a pass attempt.

Slot CB T.J. Carrie played very well in place of Hayden. He played 41 defensive snaps.

Overall, the Raiders’ DB corps overcame multiple injuries and played well, especially accounting for the missing personnel.

3. Inside Backers

Perry Riley Jr. returned after missing a game with a hamstring injury and played an effective 69 snaps, joined by Malcolm Smith who played all 72 downs. Riley got after it, leading the team with 10 tackles and bringing his usual fire. Smith secured 6 tackles.

The Bills’ “ground and pound” philosophy was very successful through two-and-a-half quarters, running up a 24-9 lead. However, once the Raiders clamped down on the run, the Bills turned into a turnover and quick punt offense. Overall, the Bills ran for 212 yards, but the bulk of the production came before the Raiders’ huge rally.

Overall, defensively, the story of the game was the continued dominance of team leader Khalil Mack. The team will need to stay rallied up to prepare for a very effective Chiefs’ offense, led by offensive guru Andy Reid.

November 20, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders punter Marquette King (7) before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Third Phase Flips Games – Special Teams

1. Punt Game

Marquette King punted five times, averaged 44 yards per punt, and knocked two of them inside the 20. The Bills did not get any return yardage on punt returns.

Most importantly, the Raiders were able to close out the game when King was roughed with under 3 minutes left in the game, giving the Raiders a 1st down. King also drew a flag after the play for using a penalty flag as a prop in a celebration dance…

2. Seabass

Janikowski was fully on point in this one, kicking two 47 yard FGs and a 41 yarder in the first half to keep the Raiders in the game. He also buried all three PAT attempts.

It was a great day for the kicking game.

3. Return Man

Jalen Richard has taken control of both punt and kick returns and looks very explosive in both roles. He is able to slip tackles and explode up field in one cut. Richard was another excellent UDFA find for Raiders’ GM Reggie McKenzie.

Oakland Raiders Week 13 Conclusion

The 2016 Oakland Raiders have been good for one thrill after another all year. This battle was one of digging a hole and then rallying back strongly with 29 unanswered points behind stars Derek Carr and Khalil Mack.

The Raiders leaders have brought them an a 10-2 mark and the first double digit win season since 2002, with four more games on the schedule.

The Raiders jump right back in with their lone Thursday game of the season and this one is HUGE as the AFC West lead is directly up for grabs in the color rush match up. The Raiders and Chiefs rivalry will be getting another serious chapter written this Thursday.

See you here next week after what will surely be a monster battle Thursday night with major stakes for both clubs.