The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a tight race with the Atlanta Falcons over the next five weeks. Both teams are 6-6 heading into Week 14 and tied for the lead in the NFC South standings. There will likely only be one team representing the division in the playoffs, so winning the division title is the ultimate prize.
Fortunately, the Buccaneers are heading in the right direction while the Falcons are doing the exact opposite. Tampa Bay is on a two-game winning streak, while Atlanta is on a three-game losing streak. This put the Buccaneers in a prime position to steal the division from the Falcons. They’ll have to do it with a better schedule, since the Falcons beat the Buccaneers twice earlier this year.
Next up for the Buccaneers is a Week 14 matchup with the lowly Raiders. This looks like an easy win on paper for Tampa Bay, since Las Vegas has been one of the worst teams in the NFL this season. It doesn’t help that Gardner Minshew is injured for the rest of the season.
Can the Buccaneers get a much-needed win against the Raiders on Sunday? Or will Tampa Bay fall victim to the dreaded “trap game”?
Below are three bold predictions from the Buccaneers ahead of their Week 14 matchup against the Raiders.
*Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
Baker Mayfield plays, is not sacked and does not throw an interception against the Raiders
Baker Mayfield is having an incredible 2024 campaign to match his 2023 season.
Mayfield has totaled 3,034 yards with 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 12 games played this year. He maintains a 70.8 completion percentage on the season, which is by far the best of his career.
The Buccaneers had a scare in Week 13 when they feared Mayfield might suffer an Achilles injury. However, he was able to come back into the game and earn a 26-23 overtime victory. Fortunately, Mayfield practiced Wednesday and it appears the coast is clear for him to play against the Raiders.
I believe Mayfield will be ready for Sunday’s game. He may not be in peak physical condition, but he will be ready to do enough to lead the Buccaneers to another victory.
My prediction: Baker Mayfield will play a clean game against the Raiders. He won’t be sacked or throw an interception. That would be quite an accomplishment considering the Raiders have a stout defense led by superstar passer Maxx Crosby. To achieve this, I see the Buccaneers relying heavily on their running offense and building play actions and bootleg passes from it. Speaking of…
Bucky Irving and Rachaad White gashed Raiders defense on the ground
The Buccaneers have a surprisingly scary rushing attack. Rookie Bucky Irving has taken over the Tampa Bay backfield as its leader. But Rachaad White is still in the picture and Sean Tucker still gets the occasional feature or two.
Irving is having a great season, especially after starting the year as the second back in a rotation with White. Irving has 133 carries for 732 yards and six touchdowns in 12 weeks. He had a true breakout game in Week 13 with 25 carries for 152 yards and a touchdown.
The Buccaneers would do well to recognize that running the ball down the Raiders’ throat is their clearest path to a victory.
My prediction: Bucky Irving and Rachaad White will combine for over 150 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown against the Raiders. They will also combine for at least 45 receiving yards, serving as an extension of the running game. The Buccaneers have a great chance to win this game if they can rush the ball and control the clock.
Related Tampa Bay Buccaneers NewsArticle continues below
The Buccaneers force at least two turnovers, including an interception by Antoine Winfield Jr.
Tampa Bay has one of the most underrated defenses in the NFL this season. The Buccaneers fly over the field on defense and hold up well in zone coverage.
They should have it easy against Las Vegas’ pop-gun offense. Aidan O’Connell should be the starter though he was not on the field at the start of Thursday’s practice. If he is unavailable, the starting job will go to backup Desmond Ridder.
This all adds up to a golden opportunity for Tampa Bay to shut down the Las Vegas offense and run up the score themselves.
My prediction: The Buccaneers will take full advantage of Aidan O’Connell leaving for the Raiders. Tampa Bay will force at least two turnovers in this game, including an interception by safety Antoine Winfield Jr. The same will be true if Ridder ends up starting, although the Raiders could attempt a more conservative offense.
