Terdell Sands leaves the field dejected after 24-23 defeat in Buffalo
BUFFALO, NY – Early in the 4th quarter, the Oakland Raiders got a play overturned in their favor after a review. On 2nd and 7 on the 41, Thomas Howard was flagged for pass interference, but after the Raiders challenge, the proper call was made as Fred Wakefield tipped the ball at the line of scrimmage.
The Bills on that same drive had pass plays of 17 yards to Robert Royal, and 12 yards by Roscoe Parrish on 3rd and 3. Josh Reed got in on the action with a 18 yard reception and after a 4 yard run by Marshawn Lynch, Reed hauled in a 7 yard pass t give Buffalo 1st and goal from the 3 yard line.
Lynch drove the ball to paydirt the next play to cut the Bills deficit to 16-14 with 7:59 remaining. That scoring drive took up 8:55, on 16 plays, covering 96 yards.
With the Buffalo crowd fired up and as loud as it has been all day, the Raiders started their next offensive possession on their own 16-yard line. Darren McFadden was unable to evade Buffalo defenders on 1st down, gaining only 1 yard and on the next play, Michael Bush did not fare any better losing 1 yard on his run. On 3rd and 10, JaMarcus Russell hit a streaking Johnnie Lee Higgins in the seam for an 84-yard touchdown toss. The backbreaking play silenced the crowd and gave the Raiders a 23-14 lead.
Buffalo answered with a 7-play drive in which Trent Edwards completed passes of 22, 14, and 16 yards prior to connecting with Roscoe Parrish on a 14 yard scoring pass to cut the Raiders lead to 23-21 with 4:03 remaining.
The Raiders went three and out on their ensuing drive, as Michael Bush was unable to pick up significant yardage on 1st and 2nd down and on 3rd down, Russell’s pass to Curry was incomplete. Oakland’s offense, which is predictated on the ground game was unable to churn out yards with Buffalo expecting the run, and with an aerial attack that has been conservative and not effective at the onset of the season, Oakland opened the door for a Bills comeback,
The Bills opened their final drive with completions to Josh Reed and Parrish for 11 and 16 yards. Lynch then carried the ball on consecutive plays for 7, 8 and 5 yards. With the game clock at :03, Ryan Lindell came out for the game winning field goal.
The kicker nailed a 38 yarder for the 24-23 victory.
