Raiders' Offensive Line Key Against Bills
The Las Vegas Raiders' offensive line was among the best in the National Football League last season.
With the addition of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and the return of running back Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas' offensive line went to Denver and played a great game, protecting Garoppolo and creating holes for Jacobs when called upon.
Now that their Week 1 game is behind them, the Raiders' offensive line has to worry about a defensive line that contains the likes of Ed Oliver and Leonard Floyd.
Raiders Coach Josh McDaniels liked what he saw from his offensive line against Denver.
"That [Denver] was a good front, and we're going to play another good front here this week," McDaniels said. "I thought they battled. I thought they saw some different looks up front. I liked how they played together.
"There were sometimes where, like you said, it wasn't necessarily perfect, but they helped one another, they cleaned out the pocket some when they had an opportunity to do that, really fought in blitz pickup trying to keep Jimmy [Garoppolo] clean on the spot back there behind the center."
"That's just the way that they are -- they practice that way, they practiced that way all training camp, and we're going to need another one of those games from them this week."
Offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi praised his offensive line for how good of a job it did against Denver. However, he quickly noted that Buffalo poses a different set of problems for which the Raiders must be prepared.
"I thought they pass protected very well, like you said" Lombardi said. "No sacks in the game is obviously always a goal heading into it. But that takes everyone.
"Credit to all those guys for keeping it firm and cleaning out the pocket when they could and trying to play physical against a good front in Denver.
"So, I'm very pleased with the way they pass protected. Obviously, every week in the NFL presents a challenge in terms of defensive front structure and blocking and different things. Buffalo plays a different structure in terms of front than Denver did, so we're up for a different task this week, but we're looking forward to it."
This team will go as the offense goes; it will be imperative for the offensive line to keep Garoppolo on his feet as the Raiders play on the road once again.
The Silver and Black remain on the road this week as they travel to play the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Sept. 17, at 1:05 p.m. EDT/10:05 a.m. PDT.
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