Oakland Raiders: 5 players to watch vs. Buffalo Bills

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 19: Alex Smith No. 11 of the Kansas City Chiefs is pressured by Khalil Mack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 19: Alex Smith No. 11 of the Kansas City Chiefs is pressured by Khalil Mack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 19: Michael Crabtree No. 15 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after being flagged for pass interference on a catch in the endzone negating a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 19: Michael Crabtree No. 15 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after being flagged for pass interference on a catch in the endzone negating a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

28. . Wide Receiver. Texas Tech Red Raiders. Michael Crabtree. 4. player

With the weather starting to change, expect that to impact this game greatly on Sunday between the Raiders and the Bills in Orchard Park. We’re talking about an early start time in late October in Western New York. The forecast projects that it will rain in this game.

So this game will likely call for great ball security and an inability to win on the ground. The only problem with that is the Raiders will be without their starting running back in Marshawn Lynch. He will be suspended in Week 8 for his running on the field incident from last week’s win.

Oakland will try its best to pound the rock with Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington, but the short-to-intermediate passing game will be the Raiders’ best offensive weapon. This is where the Raiders’ best possession receiver in Michael Crabtree comes into play.

He will likely be tracked by Bills rookie standout cornerback TreDavious White all afternoon. Both terrific players will win some of their man-on-man matchups. However, it will be up to Crabtree to give this Raiders offense flight against the Bills on Sunday. Going deep to Amari Cooper may not be possible because of rain showers in the area.