National Football League

Preview and Prediction: Oakland Raiders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:55 p.m. ET

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After spending the week in Florida after their dominant win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Oakland Raiders (5-2) will look to cap off their stay in the Sunshine State with another victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3).

In an effort to return to Oakland with more positive memories than just the weather, Del Rio and company must come away with the win against the Buccaneers.

Here we take a closer look at how the Raiders’ matchup against Tampa Bay will go down on Sunday.

Sep 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) stretches before the game Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders’ Edge-Rushers to Take Turns Bullying Donovan Smith

Because Raiders edge-rushers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin haven’t taken the league by storm in terms of sacks, their impact is often overlooked. However, Irvin and Mack have an opportunity to finally add to the stat sheet against second-year offensive tackle Donovan Smith.

Smith is in the midst of a sophomore slump, as the former second-round pick out of Penn State has graded out as the 66th ranked offensive tackle this season, per ProFootballFocus.com.

Opposite of Smith, Demar Dotson has exceeded expectations at right tackle, making a positive impact in both pass protection and run blocking concepts.

With Smith underperforming at left tackle, look for Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. to target the young, inexperienced tackle early and often. With that being said, Mack and Irvin will obviously attack Smith on nearly every down, and Norton Jr. should dial up some blitzes off the edge to specifically take advantage of Smith’s poor play.

If the Raiders’ defense can successfully create pressure on the Buccaneers second-year quarterback Jameis Winston, the former first overall pick will have a hard time finding his rhythm throwing the football, and their impact should also help them effectively defend the run along the edge.

Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) prepares to throw the ball against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Oakland Raiders 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Carr to Benefit From Clean Pocket

The Raiders’ offensive line — led by veteran offensive tackle Donald Penn — has bullied opposing defenses with their ability to keep quarterback Derek Carr upright and have dominated the line of scrimmage while paving the way for their running backs.

The Buccaneers’ front seven is next on the hit list.

Prior to his three-year stint in Oakland, Penn spent nine seasons with the Buccaneers, but even though his experience in Tampa Bay was positive, he isn’t planning to show any remorse to his former team on Sunday.

In order for Penn and company to come away with the win against the Buccaneers, the Raiders must win the battle in the trenches to allow Carr to find his rhythm early, a feat that should come easy against Tampa Bay’s underwhelming edge-rushers.

Robert Ayers and William Gholston — the Buccaneers’ starting defensive ends — have combined for just two sacks this season and have failed to create constant pressure on the quarterback all season.

Working from a clean pocket, Carr should have a much easier time delivering the ball accurately and on time to his star receivers on the outside.

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) makes a catch in the first half against the Denver Broncos at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Evans Will Test David Amerson

Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, a fist-round pick in the 2014 NFL draft out of Texas A&M, has single-handedly kept Tampa Bay’s passing attack afloat, bringing in a team-high 40 receptions for 545 yards and six touchdowns.

And the Buccaneers’ captain won’t sink their ship against Oakland on Sunday.

With Tampa Bay receiver Vincent Jackson out because of a torn ACL, Evans has taken over as the true No. 1 receiver for Winston and the Buccaneers; he leads the team with 75 targets, 41 more than any other player on the team.

At 6’5”, 231 pounds, Evans possesses a rare combination of elite size and athleticism, a combination that often leaves opposing cornerbacks in his wake along the sideline.

Though Raiders cornerback David Amerson will work to avoid falling into said wake on Sunday, he should bring a swimsuit to be safe.

Amerson, a former second-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins, has revitalized his career in Oakland, cementing himself as the Raiders’ No. 1 cornerback with 11 pass breakups and two interceptions this season. However, his strong play has yet to become consistent.

Against Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Allen Robinson, Amerson put together a strong performance, holding the big, physical receiver to just two receptions for nine yards. Just two weeks before, San Diego Chargers receiver Tyrell Williams exposed Amerson, as he brought in five receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown.

The Amerson that shows up in Raymond James Stadium will dictate the level of success both Evans and the Buccaneers’ offense has on Sunday.

Oct 10, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Adam Humphries (11) runs after a catch in the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Bucs defeated the Panthers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Humphries Could Expose D.J. Hayden in the Slot

Buccaneers slot receiver Adam Humphries isn’t on Evans’ level in terms of production, but he has made a significant impact within Evans’ shadow.

The former undrafted free agent out of Clemson has brought in 22 receptions for 233 yards as Winston’s No. 2 target, just five receptions away from matching his total in his rookie season in 2015.

At 5’11”, 195 pounds, Humphries isn’t going to impress anyone in jump-ball situations or against press coverage, but his elite route-running ability and short-area quickness will test Raiders fourth-year cornerback D.J. Hayden.

Hayden, a former first-round pick that has failed to meet expectations since entering the league in 2013, has finally pushed himself into a positive light because of his seemingly above average play from within the slot.

Just as quickly as the light came on, it can turn off.

Prior to this season, Hayden has noticeably struggled in coverage, often drawing pass interference penalties because of his inability to turn his head around late in the route.

If Amerson finds a way to limit Evans on the outside, Winston will look to Humphries to provide a spark for Tampa Bay’s offense, and if Hayden isn’t prepared for the test, that spark will turn into a dumpster fire, quickly.

Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Amari Cooper Must Take Advantage of Weaker Matchup in Vernon Hargreaves

With Amari Cooper drawing the Jaguars’ top corner Jalen Ramsey, Carr made a clear effort to take advantage of the mismatch on the opposite side of the field, completing 8 of 11 targets to his other star receiver Michael Crabtree for 96 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville’s No. 2 cornerback Prince Amukamara.

A role reversal among the Raiders’ top two receivers is expected against Tampa Bay.

Buccaneers top cornerback Brent Grimes, a tough, physical cornerback now in his 10th season in the NFL, is expected to line up across from Crabtree for a majority of the contest due in large part to their mirrored physicality and competitive nature.

Carr specifically spoke highly of Grimes earlier this week.

With that being said, Carr will look to lean on Cooper to fuel the Raiders’ passing attack, forcing the sophomore phenom to take advantage of Tampa Bay’s rookie cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III.

Hargreaves, a first-round pick out of the University of Florida, has struggled to remain consistent on a week-to-week basis, as he appears to still be adjusting to the speed of the NFL.

According to PFF.com, Hargreaves has graded out as the 72nd overall cornerback through seven weeks.

Hargreaves and Cooper’s history dates back to their college days.

The last time the two top-tier talents squared off against each other, Cooper suited up for the University of Alabama and Hargreaves still represented the Florida Gators.

Cooper torched Hargreaves, bringing in 10 receptions for 201 yards and three touchdowns.

With Carr likely looking his way for a majority of the game, Cooper will work to have Hargreaves relive that nightmare on Sunday.

Prediction: Oakland Raiders 34, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27

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