The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6) host the Las Vegas Raiders (2-10) at Raymond James Stadium. Our Raiders vs Buccaneers prediction is for favored Tampa Bay to cover the 6.5-point spread.
In head-to-head matchups, the Raiders have a 7-4 record, but the Bucs blew them out in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Offshore Odds: Tampa Bay is a 6.5-Point Favorite at Home
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raiders | +6.5 (-106) | +245 | O 46 (-112) |
| Buccaneers | -6.5 (-114) | -290 | U 46 (-108) |
Las Vegas is Reaching New Lows
Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse for Las Vegas, they fumbled away what should have been a huge morale-boosting victory on the road over arch-nemesis Kansas City.
On Black Friday, the Raiders trailed 19-17 with the clock winding down and the ball in Chiefs territory. They were getting in position for a last-second Daniel Carlson field goal to win it. But on third down, center Jackson Powers-Johnson snapped the ball before quarterback Aidan O’Connell was ready. It bounced off O’Connell and the Chiefs recovered. KC then ran out the clock.
Famous owners from yesteryear are a frequent topic of nostalgia with the preface, “If X were alive…” speculating on what would happen in situations like this. Suffice it to say that Raiders’ late owner/GM/despot Al Davis would have responded…negatively…to such an occurrence, presumably with a torrent of firings.
Then again, an in-his-prime Al Davis would never have let his team sink to these levels.
Regardless, they have a season to finish and will start on the road in Tampa.
The Raiders have not quit under head coach Antonio Pierce. They’re simply overmatched in the talent department. The wisest course of action is to lose out to secure a high pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and rebuild in earnest.
O’Connell had a solid performance in KC completing 23 of 35 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns. Tampa has been one of the worst teams in the league against the pass, so Las Vegas should put up some yards and points.
Tampa’s Divisional Hopes Have New Life
After losing its two games against NFC South leader Atlanta and dropping four straight overall, Tampa’s divisional hopes looked dead. But back-to-back wins over the New York Giants and Carolina brought them back to .500, tied for first with the spiraling Falcons.
Atlanta has a tough tilt with the Vikings in Minnesota, so a Tampa win combined with an Atlanta loss puts them in first place.
Against Carolina, wide receiver Mike Evans returned from a hamstring injury. Baker Mayfield had his favorite target back and Evans caught eight balls, including a key 21-yarder with 4:25 remaining as Tampa marched down the field for its winning field goal.
Raiders vs Buccaneers Prediction: Tampa Will Win by at Least 10
The veteran Bucs know what’s at stake. They will not allow the Raiders to derail their playoff hopes at home.
Tampa will win going away and easily cover the 6.5-point spread, probably by double-digits.
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