FLASH RECAP:
The Raiders get back Randy Moss and lose Charles Woodson.
Moss, who isn’t expected to the play after sustaining rib and groin injuries the previous game, contributes three catches for 43 yards on three scoring drives to help Oakland (2-4) beat Buffalo (3-4) before an announced crowd of 42,779 at McAfee Coliseum on Oct. 23, 2005.
The bad news for Oakland is that cornerback Woodson (broken right fibula) and strong safety Derrick Gibson (dislocated left wrist) sustain injuries during the first quarter. Both are expected to be sidelined six to eight weeks.
The Raiders overcome the absence of Woodson, the team’s top defensive player, with their strongest offensive showing of the season.
LaMont Jordan rushes for 122 yards and three TDs and Kerry Collins throws for 261 yards against the league’s top-rated pass defense.
The Raiders’ maligned defense also makes key contributions. Derrick Burgess has two sacks for the third straight game and the Bills are limited to only 210 yards. Buffalo has only 128 total yards after their first drive of the game.
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
LaMont Jordan — Rushes for 122 yards and 3 TDs. He also contributes 4 catches for 40 yards. Jordan scores on runs of 1, 17, and 7 yards.
Raiders run defense — Holds RB Willis McGahee to 50 rushing yards — half his season average) on 16 carries.
QB Kerry Collins — Burns Buffalo's league-leading pass defense for 261 yards on 19-of-27 with one TD and no interceptions.
WR Randy Moss — His 22-yard TD catch early in the second quarter erases a 7-3 Buffalo lead. Moss ends a three-game TD drought.
DE Derrick Burgess — Contributes two sacks for the third straight game.
WR Josh Reed — His 9-yard TD catch 7 seconds into the fourth quarter reduces the Buffalo deficit to 24-17. Reed’s 13-yard catch to the Oakland 29 helps set up Buffalo’s first TD.
QB Kelly Holcomb — Throws for two TDs on 19-of-27 passing for 159 yards.
WR Eric Moulds — Contributes 4 catches for 36 yards.
KEY STAT:
The Raiders convert 7 of 11 third-down plays (63.6 percent) against the Bills. Oakland enters the game ranked last in the league in third-down conversion success at 27.4 percent (17 of 62).
TURNING POINT:
The Raiders outscore the Bills 28-7 in the final 34:04 after a 10-10 tie.
BY THE NUMBERS:
4: Oakland rushing TDs, equaling its output for the season's first five games.
10: Bills sacks allowed the past two road games against the Raiders. Oakland sacked then Buffalo QB Drew Bledsoe seven times duirng a 13-10 win on Sept. 19, 2004.
28: Rushing attempts by the Raiders’ LaMont Jordan, who averaged 17 carries during Oakland’s first five games this season.
20:59: Oakland time of possession in the second half.
THEY SAID IT:
Raiders RB LaMont Jordan
"Winning one game is OK. But to be considered among the elite teams we have to establish a level of consistency."
"All of us got manhandled. The offense got manhandled, and I got manhandled."
Bills RB Willis McGahee
"I don’t think I’ve eveer been hit so much."
Bills QB Kelly Holcomb
DID YOU KNOW?:
LaMont Jordan’s three rushing TDs are the most by a Raiders players since Rich Gannon accomplished the feat against Indianapolis on Sept. 11, 2001.
Raiders RB LaMont Jordan scores one
of his three TDs against the Bills.
