Raiders were briefed on Bills antics, CJ Gardner-Johnson spitting potential

The Raiders knew the Bills would test their composure on Sunday.Before anyone had a chance to exchange words, Klint Kubiak made sure his players understood the consequences of taking the bait.Lose your cool, lose your place on the field.The Raiders coach had identified the possibility of Buffalo players trying to provoke a response.

His message was direct: Whatever was said or done, responding in a way that hurt the team would come with a seat beside him.“We knew going in there were certain guys that were going to try to do that to us, and the players knew before the game that if they got into it, they’d be standing by me on the sideline,” Kubiak said.That warning became especially relevant when Bills defensive back C.J.Gardner-Johnson was ejected after spitting at Raiders tight end Brock Bowers during Buffalo’s 33-30 victory.Kubiak did not identify the players included in the Raiders’ pregame discussion.

But it’s fair to speculate that Gardner-Johnson was specifically mentioned.The incident was precisely the kind of situation that demanded the restraint Kubiak had emphasized.Bowers maintained his composure.

Gardner-Johnson was sent away.And the Raiders were able to continue playing without turning an opponent’s misconduct into a problem of their own.For a team still learning how to consistently handle the details that decide close games, that was worth recognizing, even on another frustrating afternoon.There were enough mistakes to examine after the loss.This was a moment when the Raiders handled themselves appropriately.Bowers offered little detail afterward about the confrontation.“I don’t even know.

Just talking a little bit, and then I really don’t know,” he said.His explanation of the Raiders’ approach was clearer.“Yeah, I feel like we’re a calm, collected group,” Bowers said.“So I think going out there, we knew what to expect, and we just keep our calm and keep our composure.”That does not mean the situation was easy to ...