Vegas secondary to be tested by Allen, Buffalo

An early season test for the Las Vegas Raiders defense may be on the horizon as the undefeated Buffalo Bills make their way into Allegiant Stadium this weekend.

Coming off a 16-point loss on the road to the New England Patriots, the Raiders are looking to remain undefeated at home.

The Bills defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Buffalo, 35-32, led by a game-winning touchdown drive by their quarterback Josh Allen.

Allen’s offense is averaging 31 points per game while he’s completing 71 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,038 yards and 10 touchdowns to just one interception.

Sean McDermott and staff got Allen a new receiver in the offseason in the form of former Minnesota Viking Stefon Diggs.

So far this season, Diggs has 20 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns.

The Raider defense, on the other hand, allows 30 ppg, while opposing quarterbacks have completed 65 percent of their passes, throwing for 743 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Safeties Johnathan Abram and Erik Harris lead Vegas in tackles with 23 apiece.

Abram is listed as questionable with an injured shoulder and thumb. The Raiders will already be without rookie defensive back Damon Arnette after being placed on injury reserve (thumb).

Linebackers Cory Littleton and Nicholas Morrow along with defensive back Lamarcus Joyner are the only other Vegas players with at least 20 tackles on the season.

Raider quarterback Derek Carr has been perfect in terms of touchdown to interception ratio (6:0), passing for 784 yards while completing 74 percent of his attempts.

However, he will more than likely be without first round pick and speedy wide receiver Henry Ruggs (hamstring/knee) who is listed as doubtful.

Fellow rookie wide receiver Bryan Edwards will miss the game as well with an ankle injury.

Carr will be looking to get tight end Darren Waller more involved in the offensive game plan after being held in check last week by Bill Belichick and New England.

After posting only two receptions for nine yards, Waller is ready to get back to performing as he did in the first two weeks where he tallied 18 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown.

Second-year running back Josh Jacobs will be the workhorse for the Vegas running game as he is averaging 3.7 yards per carry in the early part of the season.

He has rushed for 252 yards on 68 carries and three touchdowns. All of which came on the road in week one against Carolina.

The team will still be without tackle Trent Brown (calf) and guard Richie Incognito (achilles).

Vegas will have tackle Sam Young and linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski returning from injury.