Regardless that they’ve now misplaced eight consecutive sport, the Las Vegas Raiders have performed extraordinarily exhausting and been aggressive. Maxx Crosby has mentioned the objective for this group is to damage somebody’s playoff hopes and one way or the other they are going to now play an enormous function within the NFC South race with consecutive video games in opposition to the highest two groups in that division, beginning with a street sport in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Aidan O’Connell returned in an enormous manner for the Raiders final week, throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Since Scott Turner took over as offensive coordinator the Raiders offense has appeared a lot improved and O’Connell has been greater than serviceable. Going in opposition to a Bucs protection that ranks thirtieth in opposition to the go ought to put him in line for one more huge efficiency.
It might definitely assist if he continues to focus on Brock Bowers who has confirmed to be merely unguardable as a rookie. The tight finish had his third sport with at the very least 10 catches in opposition to the Chiefs, ending with a career-high 140 yards. Jakobi Meyers rounding into type has additionally helped as his presence makes it harder for defenses to key in on Bowers. The Raiders might have additionally discovered a little bit of a run sport behind Honest McCormick, however establishing that in opposition to Tampa might be a tricky activity.
Defensively, the Raiders have to be locked in as Baker Mayfield has led this Bucs offense to a robust season, regardless of accidents. Mike Evans is again within the lineup and is all the time a risk for 100 yards and two touchdowns any time he’s on the sector. On the bottom, Bucky Irving is coming off a career-game with 152 yards in opposition to the Panthers and if the Raiders permit him to get going it simply opens up all the pieces else for Tampa.
As all the time, the turnover battle might be extraordinarily vital for the Raiders as they have been in a position to maintain the ball, till that unlucky second to finish the sport. Towards an offense just like the Bucs’ they will’t afford to offer them quick fields as that might be a recipe for catastrophe. Fortunately O’Connell has been good at taking good care of the ball for essentially the most half.
The Raiders possible can’t win a shootout, but when the protection reveals up as soon as once more, O’Connell has confirmed that he can come by and get this group in place to win. Keep away from errors and the Raiders might come out with an upset.
Las Vegas Raiders (2-9) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)
1:00 p.m. PT, Sunday, December 8Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FloridaTV: CBS
