It’s a thrilling interconference clash on the football field as two teams aim for victory in the Sunshine State. The Las Vegas Raiders head to Tampa Bay to face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday afternoon. Las Vegas experienced a narrow defeat, falling 19-17 to the Kansas City Chiefs last Friday, despite covering the spread as a 13.5-point underdog. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay triumphed over the Carolina Panthers, winning 26-23 in overtime, although they failed to cover the line as a 6.5-point favorite. Historically, the Raiders lead the regular-season series at 7-3, but the Buccaneers secured a decisive 45-20 victory in their last meeting on October 25, 2020.
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Who will emerge victorious in this showdown? Read on for predictions regarding the Raiders vs. Buccaneers matchup!
Raiders Aiming for Redemption in Close Encounters
The Las Vegas Raiders had opportunities to secure a win against the Chiefs last week but faltered in the closing moments while attempting a comeback. With this loss, their record now stands at 2-10, marking their eighth consecutive defeat, keeping them at the bottom of the AFC West and out of playoff contention. In the game against Kansas City, the Raiders fell behind early, trailing 3-0 after the first quarter, 10-3 at halftime, and 16-3 entering the third quarter. They managed to take a brief 17-16 lead before surrendering the go-ahead field goal. A late turnover near the Chiefs’ 32-yard line sealed their fate. Despite outgaining Kansas City in total offense (434 to 329) and holding a slight edge in first downs (20 to 18), the Raiders’ costly mistakes included three missed field goals and the lone turnover of the game.
Throughout the season, they rank 14th in the league for passing offense, averaging 226.3 yards per game, yet sit last in rushing offense with only 78.1 yards per game. They are also 27th in scoring offense at 18.6 points per game and 28th in scoring defense, allowing an average of 27.8 points. Key players include Gardner Minshew, who has thrown for 2,013 yards, and rookie tight end Brock Bowers, leading the team with 84 receptions for 884 yards and four touchdowns. However, injuries affect the roster, with cornerback Nate Hobbs and running back Zamir White missing practice earlier in the week.
Buccaneers Eyeing a Third Consecutive Win
Tampa Bay achieved their second consecutive win, needing extra time to edge out Carolina last week. This victory improved their record to 6-6, positioning them in a tie with the Atlanta Falcons for the NFC South lead, though Atlanta holds the tiebreaker. The Buccaneers are also trailing Washington by 1.5 games for the last wild card spot in the NFC playoff race. In their recent matchup against Carolina, Tampa Bay led 7-3 after the first quarter but found themselves behind at halftime (13-10) and at the end of the third quarter (16-10). With a fourth-quarter surge, they regained the lead, only to see it slip away before tying the game with a 51-yard field goal. In overtime, they clinched the win with a 30-yard field goal, showcasing a strong offensive performance with 445 total yards and a time of possession advantage.
On the season, the Buccaneers rank 6th in passing offense, averaging 238.8 yards, and 8th in rushing offense with 137.2 yards per game. Their scoring offense is equally impressive, ranking 5th with an average of 27.9 points, while their defense allows 24.7 points per game, placing them 25th. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has thrown for 3,034 yards and 25 touchdowns, making him a key player in their success. The Buccaneers face injury challenges, with several players, including tackle Tristan Wirfs and running back Bucky Irving, missing practices leading up to the game.
Best Bets for Las Vegas Raiders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
