This week the Raiders are back at home facing the 3-4 Buccaneers coming off a bye. The Raiders are looking to continue momentum they've gained in the last two weeks in defeating the Jaguars and Chiefs. The Buccaneers recently defeated the Vikings in Week 8 but will be without some key players for this matchup. They recently traded away their top cornerback in Aqib Talib and will be without their best lineman in Carl Nicks. The Raiders must win if they hope to keep pace with the two teams at the top of the AFC West. San Diego improved their record to 4-4 with a win over the Chiefs on Thursday while the Broncos already have a full game lead but will be facing a tough Bengals team on the road. Let's take a look at the matchups for this week's game and predict a winner.
Raiders Offense vs. Buccaneers Defense
The Raiders offense has been up and down for most of the season but has found some success in the running game by mixing in some power blocking schemes with their zone blocking. Darren McFadden found some rhythm in the 4th quarter of last week's game and will be looking to continue that trend against the Bucs. Where the Raiders will be able to exploit the Bucs is in the passing game, where the rank 31st in the NFL. Things will be more difficult without their best corner as well with Talib heading to New England. The Bucs are stout once again against the run, only giving up 85 yards/game. Expect the Raiders to use their speed on the outside to create mismatches in the passing game.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Buccaneers Offense
The Raiders defense is much improved since the bye week. Much of the success can be attributed to the improved pass rush and the defense getting turnovers. Six of their 11 sacks on the season have come in the last two weeks. The Bucs will be without their best lineman in Carl Nicks and will severely hamper their running game, where most of their success has been running behind Nicks. The Bucs get big chunks of yardage in the passing game where Vincent Jackson is averaging 21.6 yards a catch while Mike Williams is averaging 17.4. That's a pretty good 1-2 combination. Expect Michael Huff to be locked on Jackson most of the game, which he has excelled at since being placed in the role of corner.
Advantage: Bucs
Special Teams
The Raiders are getting another big year out of SeaBass, as he has only missed one FG all year (a 64 yarder at the end of regulation for the win against the Jaguars) and was recently named AFC Special Teams player of the month for October. Lechler is still a little hampered by his injury he suffered in the preseason and Phillip Adams has filled in quite well at punt returner, minus the muffed one against Jacksonville. Tampa Bay has the ever-dangerous Roscoe Parrish at punt returner and Arrelious Benn on kickoffs. The have decent punter and kicker.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 23, Buccaneers 20
Record to Date: 4-3
Raiders Offense vs. Buccaneers Defense
The Raiders offense has been up and down for most of the season but has found some success in the running game by mixing in some power blocking schemes with their zone blocking. Darren McFadden found some rhythm in the 4th quarter of last week's game and will be looking to continue that trend against the Bucs. Where the Raiders will be able to exploit the Bucs is in the passing game, where the rank 31st in the NFL. Things will be more difficult without their best corner as well with Talib heading to New England. The Bucs are stout once again against the run, only giving up 85 yards/game. Expect the Raiders to use their speed on the outside to create mismatches in the passing game.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Buccaneers Offense
The Raiders defense is much improved since the bye week. Much of the success can be attributed to the improved pass rush and the defense getting turnovers. Six of their 11 sacks on the season have come in the last two weeks. The Bucs will be without their best lineman in Carl Nicks and will severely hamper their running game, where most of their success has been running behind Nicks. The Bucs get big chunks of yardage in the passing game where Vincent Jackson is averaging 21.6 yards a catch while Mike Williams is averaging 17.4. That's a pretty good 1-2 combination. Expect Michael Huff to be locked on Jackson most of the game, which he has excelled at since being placed in the role of corner.
Advantage: Bucs
Special Teams
The Raiders are getting another big year out of SeaBass, as he has only missed one FG all year (a 64 yarder at the end of regulation for the win against the Jaguars) and was recently named AFC Special Teams player of the month for October. Lechler is still a little hampered by his injury he suffered in the preseason and Phillip Adams has filled in quite well at punt returner, minus the muffed one against Jacksonville. Tampa Bay has the ever-dangerous Roscoe Parrish at punt returner and Arrelious Benn on kickoffs. The have decent punter and kicker.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 23, Buccaneers 20
Record to Date: 4-3
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