The Raiders have announced their backup quarterback for their Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Veteran Brian Hoyer will be the second-string signal-caller behind starter Jimmy Garoppolo, while rookie Aidan O’Connell will be inactive and serve as the emergency third option1.
Hoyer, who signed with the Raiders in August after being released by the Patriots, has plenty of experience in the league. He has played for seven different teams in his 13-year career and has a record of 16-23 as a starter. He has also faced the Bills six times, going 3-3 with eight touchdowns and four interceptions2.
Garoppolo, who was acquired by the Raiders in a blockbuster trade with the 49ers in March, had a solid debut for his new team last week. He completed 20 of 26 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns to Jakobi Meyers in a 24-17 win over the Broncos. He also scrambled for eight yards on the final drive to help seal the victory3.
O’Connell, who was drafted by the Raiders in the fourth round this year, has yet to see any action in the regular season. He impressed in the preseason, throwing for 423 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions in three games. He is considered the future of the franchise and is being groomed under Garoppolo and Hoyer.
The Raiders are looking to improve to 2-0 for the first time since 2017, when they started 2-0 and finished 6-10. They will face a tough challenge against the Bills, who are coming off a heartbreaking 22-16 overtime loss to the Jets on Monday night. The Bills have a potent offense led by quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs, and a stingy defense that features cornerback Tre’Davious White and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.
The game will kick off at 1:05 p.m. EDT/10:05 a.m. PDT at the Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The Raiders are currently three-point underdogs according to most sportsbooks.
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