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Buffalo Bills vs. Las Vegas Raiders: Rookie review

Davis catches another touchdown, while Epenesa and Bass struggle

The Buffalo Bills continued their winning ways this past Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders in a game where the offense couldn’t be stopped and the defense did their job against the run when it mattered most. Defensively, the team shut down Josh Jacobs and the Raiders’ run game, although they had their fair share of breakdowns in coverage. Offensively, quarterback Josh Allen began the game by marching down the field and throwing a touchdown to a wide-open Gabriel Davis, and wasn’t forced to punt until late in the third quarter. More about how each rookie performed against the Raiders below.


DE A.J. Epenesa

The rookie pass rusher was on the field for 15 snaps, but did not have as much of an impact during that time. Watching the tape, he made a nice play in pushing tight end Darren Waller into the backfield, which ruined an attempted stretch run. But whenever he was matched up against right tackle Sam Young, he didn’t have the speed or strength to move him.

RB Zack Moss

Moss is still dealing with the after-effects of a toe injury sustained last week and, as a result, he was held out of Sunday’s game.

WR Gabriel Davis

Although he was on the field for 59% of the offensive snaps, Davis was held to a single catch. However, that single catch was for a 26-yard touchdown where he took advantage of an inexperienced rookie corner. His blocking in the run game was also on display, with a nice crack-back block against the Raiders’ defensive ends on a couple plays.

QB Jake Fromm

As with the previous games, Fromm was again healthy scratch. This should remain the case throughout the season.

K Tyler Bass

Bass’s struggles resurfaced a bit this week in Vegas, as he missed an extra point, which luckily never became an issue. He did successfully make a 34-yard field goal that was hit perfectly down the middle. Also notable was an interesting wrinkle on kickoffs: Twice, instead of booming one out of the end zone, the rookie kicked a high floater that landed at about the four-yard line. The first time, the coverage unit did its job and tackled Jalen Richard at the 16-yard line. The second time did not work out so well, as Richard made it to the 38-yard line.

WR Isaiah Hodgins

Hodgins remains on Injured Reserve, due to a shoulder injury sustained late in training camp.

CB Dane Jackson

Jackson remains a member of the team’s practice squad and was therefore unable to play against the Raiders.

TE/FB Reggie Gilliam

Gilliam was used on the goal line for three snaps on offense, but was not targeted. He has truly carved himself out a role on special teams, however.