National Football League

How Do the Buccaneers Slow Down the Raiders' Offense?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4), wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) and wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) warm up before the start of the game against the Tennessee Titans at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

How do the Buccaneers slow down this tough Raiders’ offense?

More from The Pewter Plank

How about our Buccaneers? Left for dead at 1-3, they reeled off two straight wins, one against the defending NFC champs. They now sit at 3-3, getting healthy, and have the chance to go over .500 with a victory at the friendly confines of Raymond James Stadium.

But, it will not be easy.

The Raiders are a high-powered offense to say the least. Coming into this week’s game, they are ranked fifth in the league in scoring with a 26.4 points per game average. They have posted 30+ points in two of their last three games.

So, how do Mike Smith and company go about stopping these guys? This is the topic of this week’s Pewter Plank Roundtable discussion. Each writer will have their say, as always, one on each slide.

Click on their names to follow and interact with them on Twitter.

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) reacts as they stop Los Angeles Rams on third down to force a fourth down during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

In the Trenches

I believe the best way to slow down the Oakland Raiders’ offense is through the trenches. The Oakland offense can both gash you with long runs and deep balls. If Gerald McCoy and the stout run defense continues their dominance, it leaves the game up to the edge pressure. If Robert Ayers is able to make his much-needed return, this task will become capable.

Since Ayers’ injury in Arizona, the Bucs’ consistent edge pressure has been almost non-existent. If the Bucs are able to play a game up to the standard they set against Atlanta, there should be an upset brewing in Tampa. Defeating these Oakland Raiders will be no easy task, watch for the Buccaneers to yet again prove if they are on the cusp of a new culture in the Bay.

–Zach Sauers

Sep 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Robert Ayers (91) in action during the game in action during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeat the Buccaneers 40-7. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Force Long Passing Situations

The Bucs are set to finally get their defensive line healthy this week, and it comes at a perfect time against one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL. They boast a great wide receiver duo in Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, and have a quarterback in Derek Carr that will feed them. Protecting Carr is an expensive offensive line with former Buccaneer left tackle Donald Penn still holding down the blind side.For the Bucs to slow down Carr and the passing attack they must win up front in the trenches and force the Raiders to abandon the run. Carr performs statistically well under pressure (3rd in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus), so it’s on cornerbacks Brent Grimes and Vernon Hargreaves to hold up their end of the bargain in coverage. If the Buccaneer front seven can win in the run game and force the Raiders into long passing downs they can unleash Noah Spence and Robert Ayers and hopefully come away with some sacks.–Michael HoranNext: Rush the Passer

Oct 23, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Latavius Murray (28) celebrate after a touchdown in the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Rush the Passer

The Bucs are on a two game winning streak and are starting to finally get healthy for the first time since week one. This week they face Super Bowl XXXVII opponent, Oakland Raiders who have been cruising this season to a 5-2 record. Not only is the best start for the Raiders this decade they are undefeated on the road. The Raiders’ offense has been the main reason why they’ve performed so well. The combination of Derek Carr, Michael Crabtree, and Amari Cooper is one of the top quarterback and two wide receivers in the league.

Not only that they have a three-headed monster in the backfield with Latavius Murray, DeAndre Washington, and Jalen Richard. Latavius was the top back last season but the utilization of a rotation has kept the safeties on their toes on play action.

With Jack Del Rio at the helm the Raiders have been scary but the most important thing the Bucs have to do is to rush Derek Carr. Carr has only been sacked seven times this year behind one of the top lines in football this season. With all the time he’s had he is completing 66% of his passes for 1808 yards. The Bucs’ secondary has been better lately but they played Derek Anderson and Collin Kaepernick the past two games. Carr is young but he is much better than those two bench players. Only throwing three interceptions this season, the Raiders have played mostly turnover free football. If the Bucs want to continue this winning streak they are going to have to get after Derek Carr and make him make mistakes.

–Brian DeFeo

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo (74) blocks as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Noah Spence (57) rushes during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Force Carr Into Mistakes

If the Bucs want to slow down the Raiders’ offense, they need to get some sort of pass rush going. The defensive line has taken several injury hits so far this season, but has done an admirable job dealing with the absences of some of its top guys. Gerald McCoy returned last week, while Clinton McDonald and Robert Ayers should soon follow suit. Ayers is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, while McDonald has been ruled out. Ayers was a full participant in practice on Friday, so that should be a good sign for his chances of playing this week.

Regardless of who can play on Sunday, Tampa Bay needs to get pressure on Derek Carr. If Ayers remains sidelined, guys like Noah Spence, Akeem Spence and Howard Jones will have to step up. Carr has thrown just three interceptions this year, so forcing him to make mistakes is certainly not an easy task. Not allowing him to get into a comfortable rhythm will be the key to slowing down Oakland’s potent offense. Even if the Bucs can’t force him to turn the ball over, disrupting him in the pocket could be enough to keep the Raiders out of sync.

–Bailey Adams

Oct 23, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) tackles Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) during the second half of a football game at EverBank Field. The Raiders won 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Penetration from the Defensive Line

The key to slowing down the Oakland Raiders’ offense is going to be getting penetration up front from the defensive line.

With Robert Ayers questionable to play for the first time since Week 2 of the NFL season, this defensive front needs him in order to disrupt Derek Carr and stop the versatile backs in the Raiders backfield.

Gerald McCoy’s recent calf issue makes his possible return even more critical as the Buccaneers simply don’t have enough talented depth to make a big impact Sunday without at least one of them playing up front.

Obviously, the Bucs’ defense will need to contain the Oakland passing game, but the defensive line can help in that aspect as well if they get good penetration throughout the game.

Stopping the NFL’s 11th ranked rushing game will be just as important to get the win this weekend, and penetration will be the key to stopping these backs before they get going as they lead the league in 20+ yard runs to this point.

–David Harrison

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) gets the crowd pumped up against the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Los Angeles Rams defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 37-32. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Hit the Quarterback All Day

The key to victory will boil down to the trenches, plain and simple. The Raiders’ offensive line is one of, if not, the best in the league. Derek Carr has gone virtually untouched this year, so the Bucs have to find a way to get past the “Great Black and Silver Wall” and hit Carr early and often.

It appears we will finally see the return of Robert Ayers, which helps out a ton. We’ve only seen him and Gerald McCoy on this line together one full game. Since then, we’ve seen the emergence of Will Gholston, Akeem Spence, and Noah Spence so the pass rush is coming together.

Add to that the blitz schemes Mike Smith has begun to throw at opposing offenses, the Bucs will do all they can to bring pressure on Carr and force him into mistakes, something the Bucs have capitalized on in the last two games.

–James Yarcho

Oct 10, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Jacquizz Rodgers (32) carries the ball against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Control the Clock

How do you stop a high-powered offense from scoring points? Keep them off the field. You do that by winning the battle of time of possession.

Jacquizz Rodgers has been something, hasn’t he? On the streets just a few weeks ago, we are now looking at a guy that has posted back to back 100 yard performances. Rodgers has shown himself to be just the back the Bucs have needed with Doug Martin and Charles Sims on the shelf with injuries.

Oakland has been suspect against the run so far this year. To date, they are ranked 28th in the league, allowing 128.3 yards per game on the ground. The Bucs need to take advantage by starting with a heavy dose of Rodgers. We don’t need a huge afternoon from Jameis Winston, but if they run the football he will have openings in play action. Control the clock, win the game.

–Alan Schechter

We’ve had our say, now what say you? How do you think the Bucs need to stop the Raiders? Sound off in the comments.

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