Through two games, the Raiders look to be a team in trouble if JaMarcus Russell must control the game through the air.

"I couldn't tell you we could go out and win the game throwing the ball around," Kiffin said. "We haven't been able to show that even in the preseason when we tried at times. We'll continue to work on it and try to manufacture yards in the passing game like we did on the first play (against Kansas City)."

The play of which Kiffin speaks was a nine-yard swing pass to Darren McFadden which was deflected by a defender. So far, that qualifies innovation.

Russell's numbers aren't awful -- he has completed 53.5 percent of his passes for 235 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions -- a better-than-average passer rating of 84.5.

However, in three-possessions against a soft Denver defense with the Raiders already trailing 27-0, Russell was 9-for-11 for 113 yards and two touchdowns, a passer rating of 149.1

Aside from those three series, Russell is a 43.8 percent passer (14-for-32) for 122 yards and no touchdowns, a rating of 54.4.

Next up for the Raiders are the Buffalo Bills Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium, a team that hasn't given up 100 yards rushing in either of its two games and has 11 sub-100-yard games in terms of rushing defense since Dick Jauron took over in 2006.

Not only that, but Justin Fargas left the game in the first half with a groin injury and Darren McFadden sat out the fourth quarter with turf toe, and neither is a lock to face the Bills.

That means Russell could be forced to the air sooner rather than later.

Although Kiffin hasn't hesitated to criticize players who in his estimation have not performed up to their standards, he has remained positive with regard to Russell.

The Raiders have drilled it into Russell's head that his job is to not force the issue. Take the checkdowns when they're available, don't throw late over the middle, and when in doubt, use that rocket of an arm to throw the ball out of bounds.

Russell went through a 1-for-12 stretch against the Chiefs and it didn't matter because the Raiders sliced up the Kansas City defense for 300 yards rushing on 47 carries.

With second-year left tackle Mario Henderson making his first career start in Arrowhead, the Raiders were reluctant to turn Russell loose when the rushing yardage was coming so easily.

Russell was 6-for-17 for 55 yards and no touchdowns.

"We really only took one shot down the field the whole game," Kiffin said. "You saw (Russell) throw the ball away at times too, which was real big. He could have gotten himself frustrated because there were times out there when there was eight runs in a row, nine runs in a row, 11 runs in a row. It's hard for a quarterback not to get frustrated and force the ball."

Wide receivers have accounted for only eight receptions in two games, and four of them are from Ashley Lelie, a 49ers castoff who was with the Raiders only six days before the regular season started.

Javon Walker, who received an $11 million signing bonus and $1 million in salary this year, was inactive in the opener and played sparingly against the Chiefs because of a hamstring pull. He did not have a pass thrown in his direction.

Ronald Curry, the Raiders leading receiver last year, has two catches for 12 yards including a garbage-time 4-yard touchdown reception in the opener. He dropped a sideline pattern from Russell against the Chiefs and had another drop against Denver.

Dropped passes were a common theme among wideouts throughout training camp. Street free agent Todd Watkins made the 53-man roster because he may have the most sure hands in camp, but has yet to be active.

"We continue to have the same issues," Kiffin said. "We were in warm-ups thinking Javon's going to go, and he doesn't look like he's going very fast. So he's down, and the conditions of the game were that we didn't need to throw the ball."

Walker, who hopes to be up to speed Sunday, realizes at some point the receivers will be counted upon to make plays.

"You go with what helps you win the game," Walker said. "There will be some games where we have to throw the ball more. It's going to be one step at a time."

Curry took responsibility for the dropped passes, saying the Chiefs drop simply got to him before he was ready, and declined to blame the long stretches between passes for unable to get in rhythm.

"We pretty much know what we're going to do, what the game plan is laid out to do," Curry said. "There are going to be days like (Sunday), and there are going to be days where we have 300 yards passing."

Kiffin is glad the receivers have confidence, but isn't so sure the Raiders are up to a passing war.

"Receivers are supposed to do that," Kiffin said. "I'd hope our guys would say that they could do that. But I don't know."

SERIES HISTORY: 35th meeting. Raiders hold a 19-15 advantage and have won the last four games. In the last meeting, on Oct. 23, 2005, LaMont Jordan rushed for 122 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-17 win. In the last game at Buffalo on Sept. 19, 2004, Rich Gannon's 43-yard touchdown pass to Ronald Curry made the difference in a 13-10 win by Oakland. The Bills' last win over Oakland came 10 years ago in the 1998 in the 14th game of the season, with Doug Flutie leading Buffalo to a 44-21 win. The Raiders fell to 7-7 after starting the season 7-3, and were playing without three-fourths of their starting secondary due to injuries.