Week 14 Picks: Raiders at Buccaneers Spread Prediction

Las Vegas Raiders (2-10 SU, 5-7 ATS) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6 SU, 7-5 ATS)
NFL Football Week 14
Date/Time: Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 1PM EST
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, Florida
TV: CBS

The Las Vegas Raiders take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in week 14 action from Raymond James Stadium. It’s been a dreary season for the Raiders, sitting at 2-10 and with a stretch of games ahead of them where the season is basically a lost cause. The Buccaneers have had an up and down season, but despite some areas of promise, need to continue producing some positive results at 6-6. On Sunday, they won their second game in a row with a 26-23 overtime win over the Panthers. The Raiders, meanwhile, enter this game on the long week, having fallen to the Chiefs at Arrowhead on Black Friday, 19-17, for their 8th loss in a row. Who can deliver us the cover this week in Tampa?

Assessing the Raiders

On one hand, the way the Raiders lost the game last week to the Chiefs was agonizing, a botched snap late in the game spoiling their chances at kicking a go-ahead field goal. By the same token, the fact that they’re giving a team as good as the Chiefs a major sweat shows they haven’t quite folded up their tents and headed home mentally. The offense wasn’t great on the day, but showed some pep under Aidan O’Connell, as he threw for 340 yards and a pair of TDs, also moving the Raiders down the field very quickly as they attempted a late drive. Brock Bowers continues to show his wares, as the rookie tight end had ten catches for 140 yards and a TD. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers was near 100 yards, and Tre Tucker caught a deep TD pass from O’Connell. They even ran the ball a tiny bit better, something that isn’t so hard considering how putrid they’ve been in that area this season.

I’m still not sure how great of a spot this is for the Silver and Black. This is their second road game in a row following a punishing game, physically and mentally. The wear and tear of an 8-game losing streak can catch up with them at any time. With this being on the road, this will be their fourth game away from home in their last five. And it’s an out-of-conference road trip across the country against a team that needs to keep winning, as they are tied for their division lead at 6-6 with Atlanta in another down year for the NFC South. While we saw the Raiders’ defense hold up decently last week against a Chiefs team that tends to cruise in the regular season, the series of losses before that did not find their defense in great form. With all the different things the Buccaneers can throw at the Raiders this week, that’s a part of their game that threatens to upend the entire operation this week.

Tampa Starting to Cook?

The two straight wins are nice, the first one more impressive, and last week’s overtime win over a 3-win Carolina team not so much. Last week saw Baker Mayfield off-tune for part of the game, with his two picks contributing to their issues. The defense was folding down the stretch, and while Carolina has been playing better, and it’s a divisional game on the road, it was still a letdown. Still, they fought doggedly to get into position to send it to overtime and then winning it, showing a lot of heart in the win.

Tampa remains a dangerous X-factor despite their issues. I’d expect a game from Mayfield this week that is a little more on-point. Mike Evans has been back for a few weeks now and, after a nice game last week, could be rounding into peak form. They’ve found tremendous production in their backfield, especially with Bucky Irving being used in tandem with Rachaad White. Last week, they combined for 228 yards on the ground while also serving as valuable aerial weapons for Mayfield. The Raiders have performed well against the run in spots this season but have yet to face what the Bucs are likely to throw at them this week.

Issues for the Raiders on Sunday

In the right circumstance against the right offense, the Raiders’ defense can almost appear to be serviceable. But in the seven previous games leading up to allowing only 19 from Kansas City, they gave up 27 or more points 6 times. And we look at the teams doing that to the Raiders, teams like Denver (twice), Pittsburgh, and the Chiefs, they’re not all offensive juggernauts. What if a road-weary Raiders’ squad beginning to smart from the crush of defeat surfaces in this out-of-the-way locale and catches a version of the Tampa offense where Mayfield is connecting with Evans and his different targets, with Irving and White getting involved? How well will this Raiders’ defense hold up against a team that isn’t shy about laying it on thick?

Lay the Points on the Home Favorite

We’ve seen before and even last season where a Raiders team that has seemingly little to play for springs to life when you’d least suspect it and throws everyone’s analysis into a tizzy. And while last week offered hints of that again occurring this season, I suspect we will see another dip this week in what really seems like a bad spot. Granted, Tampa is flawed enough to make this viable for potential Raiders’ backers. I just see Tampa using this game as a confidence builder and giving the Raiders no slack this week, as they really need this one. I’ll take the Bucs.

Loot’s Prediction to Cover the Point Spread:

I’m betting on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers minus 6.5 points.