Initially scheduled for Sunday Night Football, the Bucs-Raiders game was moved to the late-afternoon window after COVID concerns. Raiders tackle Trent Brown was placed on the COVID-19/reserve list, and all four of the team’s remaining starting linemen had to wait while they contact traced.
Thankfully everything worked out, and the game will still be played. But it will be Cardinals at Seahawks in the evening slot.
We get to see a Bucs team that just laid into the Packers last week, handing Green Bay their first loss. We also get to see a Raiders team off a bye but entering with a win over the mighty Chiefs in their last game.
If the Raiders can come away with a win, they will have beaten Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady in consecutive weeks. Oh, the bragging rights they would have.
And with the extra playoff team in each conference this year, it allows for a bit of wiggle room in the standings. But in a crowded AFC, every single game is critical for Las Vegas.
ODDS:
The spread for Sunday’s showdown favors the Bucs by 4.5 points, with the over/under set at 52.
Bucs Aiming for 5-2 Mark
So far, so good in Brady’s first year in Florida. And the rich only get richer, as the Bucs just agreed to a deal with Antonio Brown. He’ll likely be joining them in Week 9 once his suspension ends, and boy, is this offense about to be lethal.
They already had Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, plus an emerging Rob Gronkowski. Throw in Brown, and the potential is incredible.
The Bucs handled their business against a tough Green Bay team last week speaks volumes about them. They didn’t just win; they obliterated them. Aaron Rodgers had been perfect all year until last week. And they just kept scoring touchdowns and couldn’t stop. They lit up the scoreboard early and often.
The Bucs will look to keep it going against a very confident Raiders bunch.
Las Vegas Aiming for 4-2 Mark
It has not been a perfect year for the Raiders, but 3-2 is not bad at all. They have dealt with several injuries to receivers, but players have stepped up.
First-round pick Henry Ruggs III exploded for two deep catches last game, finally showing why the team opted to draft him so high. And Josh Jacobs continues to be a menace in the backfield.
Derek Carr has his ups and downs, but he’s proving to be a reliable option again this year. Some eyebrows were raised when the team opted to add Marcus Mariota, but it’s remained clear that it is Carr’s team until further notice.
The pressure this week is on the Las Vegas defense. Can they stop one of the hottest teams in the NFL and beat another legendary quarterback?
Bucs Clean Up Nicely
Another victory is coming for Tampa Bay, as the Raiders will fall short. The Bucs will hang 40 points on the Raiders in this one, showing no mercy.
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