The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now 2-0 following their bye week after an easy win vs. the Giants and a close call against the Carolina Panthers in Week 13 that saw the game go to overtime. That 26-23 victory put them in position to leap the Atlanta Falcons here in Week 14 if the Falcons lose to the Vikings and the Bucs get a win over the visiting Las Vegas Raiders.
The Bucs have been on a two-game road trip, and they now return home to Raymond James Stadium to face off against the Las Vegas Raiders who are vying to be the worst team in the league and in the hunt for the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Despite the Raiders’ record, they have had a couple of bright spots in tight end Brock Bowers, who has emerged as the top tight end in the league this season, along with wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and terrifying edge rusher Maxx Crosby. Outside of those three, it is hard to point towards any advantage for the Raiders when they match up against the Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay has had a myriad of injuries continuing well throughout the season as they will once again enter this one shorthanded on the defensive side of the ball. Luckily, they get the Raiders, who don’t pose a big threat on the offensive side of the ball, but it will be up to a group effort by the Bucs in order to slow rookie Brock Bowers down.
Here is how our staff sees this one playing out between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Las Vegas Raiders.