Raiders leaky defense preps for perfect storm against Bills, Josh Allen

The Raiders are getting to the quarterback.They just aren’t getting off the field nearly enough.And with Josh Allen and the Bills coming to Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, the distinction could become painfully obvious.For all the disruption the Raiders have generated up front, too much of it is being undone by what happens when opponents escape that pressure, find an opening or turn an ordinary play into something considerably more damaging.The sacks are there.So are the pressures.But the stops?Those have become harder to come by during a two-game losing streak that has exposed a troubling disconnect between the Raiders’ ability to create havoc and their ability to contain it.They have surrendered 35 explosive plays, seventh most in the NFL. Against the Patriots last Sunday, they allowed 21 gains of 10 or more yards.Those are separate measurements, but they point toward the same problem: Opponents are covering too much ground too quickly.“It was a bad game overall.

Everyone knows that, coaches to players, everybody,” Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby said.  “We all have to be able to hold each other accountable and hold ourselves accountable.”Or, as Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Leonard put it: “We just got to stack good plays.Right now, we’ve had good play, bad play, good play, bad play.

Just got to keep improving.”The issue: a Bills offense that leads the NFL in rushing and just reminded the Rams how many ways Allen can hurt you not only from the pocket but also when he uses his legs to buy time outside the pocket or just tuck it away and run.“Backyard football, as I like to call it,” Raiders linebacker Nakobe Dean said.At the risk of stating the obvious, the Raiders are looking at a three-game losing streak if their defensive day against the Bills mirrors their New England outing.“You got to improve,” Leonard said.“We could go down the rabbit hole of areas, but we got to be better.”Allen and running back James Cook combined fo...