It's hard to explain how a team can beat one of the best teams in the league one week and then lose to one of the worst in the league a week later - a game they absolutely had to win.  That's exactly the story of the Buffalo Bills after a 26-24 loss to the Oakland Raiders after knocking off the Green Bay Packers the week before.

Things started to go downhill after nose tackle Marcel Dareus left the game with a knee injury. It was like leaving the barn door open and the Oakland horses ran away with not only the game but the Bills playoff hopes.

The Bills were their usual selves with solid defense until Dareus was hurt.  They looked completely different after that allowing the Raiders to roll up 347 yards in offense for the game.  Rookie quarterback Derek Carr threw for a pair of touchdowns and Sebastian Janikowski kicked four field goals to continue the Bills futility in Oakland where they haven't won since 1966.

Kyle Orton threw for 329 yards with touchdown strikes to Sammy Watkins for 40 yards, Scott Chandler for 29 and Robert Woods for 30.  But a pair of interceptions hurt, especially the first one early in the first period to end a promising drive.  Charles Woodson's pick seemed to invigorate the Raiders and it didn't help that the Bills just couldn't get their running game going.  The Bills finished with a total of 13 yards rushing for the game.

So now next week's game against the New England Patriots is just a formality.  The Patriots nailed down home field advantage with their win over the Jets and the Bills will be sitting home watching the playoffs for the 15th straight year.

More From 106.5 WYRK