Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills will look to bounce back from their Week 1 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday when they host the Las Vegas Raiders in their home opener at Highmark Stadium.
To do it, here are my three keys, plus notes and stats:
Josh Part I
Bills quarterback Josh Allen has to be better. It's as simple as that.
In the team's opening week loss to the Jets, Allen threw three interceptions and fumbled the ball away once. It was not a good performance.
The Raiders will look to capitalize on any Allen mistake - or bad decision. He can't let that happen, and needs to take care of the football much, much better.
Slow down 'Mad Maxx'
While Allen has to play better, he also needs a little more time than he was given last Monday night when he goes to throw the ball.
The Raiders have Maxx Crosby on the edge of their defense. Crosby finished last season with 12 sacks, and already had one in Las Vegas' opening week win over the Denver Broncos.
Crosby is the kind of player the Bills offensive line will need to be aware of on every passing down, or he can wreck an entire game plan.
Josh Part II
While the talk of the week has been about Josh Allen of the Bills, the Raiders have running back Josh Jacobs, who led the NFL in rushing last year with 1,653 yards.
The Bills gave up a whopping 172 yards rushing to the Jets last week, highlights by Breece Hall's 127 yards, including an 83-yard scamper in the second quarter.
The Raiders will, no doubt, want to establish the run and keep the ball away from the Bills offense by using Jacobs. They'll also be hoping he busts a long run or two.
The Bills run defense has to make sure that doesn't happen.
NOTES AND STATS:
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