The Buffalo Bills have been eliminated from the AFC playoff picture courtesy of a 26-24 defeat to the Oakland Raiders this evening.
The Bills got on the scoreboard on their first possession of the game as Kyle Orton fired the ball deep downfield to the endzone, where Sammy Watkins made an impressive grab off Charles Woodson to secure the 42-yard touchdown.
Woodson made a crucial interception soon after to quell the Bills' next drive, but Derek Carr could not take advantage on offense as he failed to move his side into the red zone.
At the start of the second quarter, the Raiders managed to get back on level terms as Carr fired deep to Kenbrell Thompkins, which set up a three-yard strike to James Jones at the back of the endzone.
Oakland continued their strong second quarter when Carr moved them into field-goal range again and Sebastian Janikowski fired over from 45 yards, while the kicker added another three points from 36 yards with two minutes remaining.
There was still time late in the half for the Bills to move into range for a field goal from Dan Carpenter, which he made with ease from 54 yards.
In the second half, Janikowski extended his side's lead as he made kicks from 38 and 49 yards respectively to put his team in charge of the game.
Buffalo responded with a touchdown drive when Orton lofted the ball over the middle of the field to Scott Chandler, who made a good catch to walk into the endzone and complete the score.
The Raiders reaffirmed their control of the game when Darren McFadden broke a huge run to take his side to the goal line. Carr completed the score when he fired to Jamize Olawale in the flat for the one-yard touchdown.
Orton threw a late interception to Brandian Ross to all but end his side's hopes of getting the win, but a missed field goal from Janikowski kept the Bills in the game.
The quarterback threw a late strike to Robert Woods to give Doug Marrone's side a chance to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, they failed to gather the ensuing onside kick, allowing the Raiders to secure their third win of the season.
Simon Sinclair
