The Buffalo Bills complete their two-game western swing on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas.
After posting a dramatic 37-34 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football in Week 5, the Bills spent the ensuing practice week at UC Irvine. Traveling from Irvine to Las Vegas on Saturday, Buffalo closes its eight-day trip by battling the Raiders in a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.
“I've been saying all along, this coming out here has been beneficial for us, and then being able to be together and talk through things and figure it all out," said Bills' head coach Joe Brady.
The matchup bodes well for the Bills' offense, which leads the NFL in scoring. Following a 3-0 season start, the Raiders have surrendered 30+ points in back-to-back losses to the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots in Weeks 4 and 5.
Meanwhile, the Bills' defense has yet to find itself over the first five games under new coordinator Jim Leonhard. The unit ranks 30th overall (388.6) in the NFL. Although the pass rush has been solid, but Buffalo's back end has surrendered 13 touchdown passes to only two interceptions.
"I just need them to trust one another and communicate," said Brady.
As for the anticipated result on Sunday afternoon, the Bills are favored by seven of eight members on Sports Illustrated's weekly prediction panel. Only senior writer Conor Orr has picked the Raiders to win the game while everyone else backs the Bills.
As always, SI MMQB game picks are straight up. When it comes to the betting line, the Bills are 5.5-point road favorites (per DraftKings). Buffalo won as a road underdog over the Rams last time out.
Week 6 injury briefing
On the injury front, the Raiders ruled out defensive tackle Tomka Hemingway, tight end Carter Runyon and wide receiver Donte Thornton.
The Bills, who declined elevate any practice squad players on Saturday, have deemed five players questionable for the Week 6 game, including wide receivers DJ Moore and Josh Palmer. It seems as if at least one of the two will be available at kickoff.
Meanwhile, Bills' defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who tweaked his knee in Week 4, appears likely to sit one more week. Slot cornerback Dee Alford, who missed the Week 5 win, has been cleared for game action. Starting right tackle Spencer Brown, who left after 16 snaps on Monday, is also good to go.
MMQB Game Picks (Week 6)
Bills at Raiders
Albert Breer, senior reporter
Pick: Bills
Eva Geitheim, staff writer
Pick: Bills
Mitch Goldich, senior editor
Pick: Bills
Mike Kadlick, senior news writer
Pick: Bills
Gilberto Manzano, staff writer
Pick: Bills
Conor Orr, senior writer
Pick: Raiders
John Pluym, managing editor
Pick: Bills
Matt Verderame, staff writer
Pick: Bills
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