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Led By Young Playmakers, Oakland Raiders Spoil Buffalo Bills’ Playoff Hopes

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By @Kevin_Saito

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Their 2014 campaign may be a disaster by most every metric that matters, but the Oakland Raiders, using a late-season surge, are showing that the future of the franchise is bright indeed. On the strength of a balanced offensive attack, a stifling defense and a handful of very timely plays, the Raiders beat the Buffalo Bills 26-24 and officially ended their slim playoff hopes.

The story of the day was Oakland’s youngsters. The team may be 3-12, but the Raiders’ core of young, talented playmakers is showing their fans – and the league – that Oakland is going to be a force to be reckoned with very soon. From offensive line mauler Gabe Jackson and Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate Khalil Mack, to fiery QB Derek Carr and outstanding cover man T.J. Carrie, the Raiders have a nucleus that, should they continue to develop as they are, is shaping up to be a very potent football team.

Carr, Oakland’s second0round pick this year, was efficient and showed off his big play ability in going 17-of-34 for 214 yards with two scoring tosses – one to veteran James Jones and one to third-year fullback Jamize Olawale. Midseason acquisition Kenbrell Thompkins had a big day with 90 receiving yards on five receptions, and Andre Holmes chipped in with 73 yards on his three catches. Carr showed off his arm strength as well as incredible touch in completing passes of 50 and 51 yards to Thompkins and Holmes, respectively.

Though the Bills came into the game giving up just over 100 yards a game on the ground, and were one of the better units against the run in the NFL, second-year back Latavius Murray had another big day, gashing Buffalo for 86 yards on his 23 carries. The Raiders were running the ball so effectively that even deposed starter Darren McFadden had a solid performance, chipping in 54 yards on his nine carries. Late in the fourth quarter, McFadden narrowly missed a touchdown when he was pushed out of bounds at the two-yard line following a long run. Both running backs, though, managed to rip off long runs straight through the heart of the Buffalo defense.

After giving up a long touchdown bomb to Sammy Watkins, the Raiders’ defense settled in and proceeded to make Orton’s day miserable. He was hit repeatedly and under pressure constantly. Mack and Justin Tuck were credited with sacks, but Orton was under siege by the defense all day. Carrie played solid coverage, and the Raiders’ secondary didn’t give Orton a lot to work with. Oakland’s defensive front took away Buffalo’s running game, limiting them to 13 total yards on 13 carries. The defense stuffed the run and harassed Orton into throwing two picks in an otherwise forgettable performance – one that cost the Bills a shot at the playoffs.

Oakland has been playing good football lately in notching their third win in their last five games. It’s a late-season surge that is being fueled by a nucleus of talented, young playmakers, and a surge that should give the Raiders fans hope.

Oakland’s future is looking incredibly bright indeed.

Kevin Saito is a fiction writer, sports junkie, history nerd, and NFL contributor to www.RantSports.com  Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, or on Google

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