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The Buffalo Bills had an impressive showing in their 34-14 home-win over the struggling Oakland Raiders on Sunday. The Bills were favored coming into the showdown with the team that many had pick ahead of the season to be a top contender in the AFC, but still, there were undoubtedly many who thought the Bills would not be able to come away with a win.
Here are six things that I liked about the Bills’ win on Sunday.
McCoy breaks out
LeSean McCoy and the Buffalo Bills offense took advantage of an Oakland Raiders squad on Sunday that ranks in the bottom third in rushing yards allowed. McCoy racked up season-bests with his 151 yards and 5.59 yards per attempt performance versus the Raiders. The 48-yard TD run that he broke away for was his longest rush of the year. McCoy started to come on last week and he exploded on Oakland’s defense this week. This was a sight for sore eyes, as the perennial Pro Bowler had been in a funk not long ago.
Hyde snags another pick to remain the league leader
This season, if he’s been near a ball that’s primed to be picked off, more times than not, Micah Hyde has come away with the turnover. On Sunday, Preston Brown got a hand on a pass from the Raiders' Derek Carr, and Hyde finished the job
Looks like Carr didn't expect Preston Brown to carry Crabtree upfield, and he thought Crabtree would settle to the left instead of right. Micah Hyde gets another interception pic.twitter.com/3luaKyg1v7
— Ian Wharton (@NFLFilmStudy) October 30, 2017
Sunday’s might have been the easiest one of his league-high five interceptions this season, but give him some props anyway. Dudes drop easy picks like this one every game.
Welcome to 2017, Zay
Plenty has been made about rookie Zay Jones’ rough to start to the season. While he didn’t light the world on fire versus the Raiders, Zay put up his best numbers of the season, and more importantly, he looked more comfortable than he’s been in any other game this season. Jones finished with 32 yards, and caught three of the five passes that were thrown his way. His catch percentage of 60 percent was a far cry from his previous season best of 33.3 percent.
Elston comes away with his first career INT
Trae Elston certainly made the most of his first career start. Elston picked off Carr late in the fourth quarter, ensuring that the Raiders didn’t finish the game on any sort of positive note. The second-year man also led the team in tackles on Sunday.
Teamwork makes the dream work
Leonard Johnson put a wicked hit on the Raiders’ DeAndre Washington to pop the football up in the air, and Matt Milano finished the play off by plucking the ball out of the air and returning it 40 yards for his first career touchdown.
Matt Milano #BoonkGang #BillsMafia @TheBoonkGang pic.twitter.com/Iua9bQVaht
— Breyon (@bre_88) October 30, 2017
That’s two straight weeks now that Milano has come away with a turnover, and both he and Johnson have been a pleasant surprise for the Bills after not being expected by fans and pundits to be major contributors for the team this season.
Holmes’ sweet footwork
Andre Holmes, the Bills highest paid wideout, has also had a disappointing season thus far, but the veteran delivered on Sunday in the form of two pretty sweet sideline, toe-tapping catches — one of which resulted in the Bills first touchdown of the game. Holmes' neat play came with his quarterback Tyrod Taylor's pocket collapsing and in improvise mode.
Tyrod Taylor to Andre Holmes for the #Bills TD. Game tied Well done gents! pic.twitter.com/lZAEkVrD5F
— Cigar Dave (@CigarDaveShow) October 29, 2017