1. The Month of Brock
This past week, Brock Bowers became the second player in franchise history to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for his November performance.
He continues to forge a historic path at the tight end position, needing just three more receptions to pass Detroit Lions' Sam LaPorta (86) for the most receptions in a single season by a rookie tight end in NFL history. Additionally, he needs 116 receiving yards to be the third tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 receiving yards in their rookie season. The odds look favorable for the league's reception leader who is averaging nearly eight catches and 84 receiving yards a game since Week 7.
"I just come in and do the same thing every day pretty much," Bowers said. "Just trying to keep to my schedule and it's been working. Just try to do everything I can on the field and at practice because that's when you get the reps."
2. Vision out the backfield
While Zamir White (quadricep) has been ruled out for Sunday, it's still feasible for Alexander Mattison to return. After missing the last two games with an ankle injury, he's been a limited participant in practice throughout the week and is marked questionable.
Regardless if Mattison could suit up or not, Sincere McCormick is expected to see an uptick in carries against the Buccaneers. Stepping up over the last two weeks, he's led the team in rushing yards (97) while averaging 5.7 yards a carry.
Veteran running back Ameer Abdullah would also be in line for more production, looking to secure his third straight game with at least 50 scrimmage yards. Notably, he has a touchdown grab in two of his last three games.
"Obviously we have a plan, but they've got to use their vision, and he's done a really nice job," interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner said of McCormick. "Ameer as well ran the ball very well. But Sincere has been decisive. He's gotten the ball where it's supposed to be for the most part, and then he's done a really good job of not letting that first guy tackle him. That might only be a five-yard gain, but if that first guy hit you at two and we get five, now it's second and five, and that makes a big difference for the whole offense. He's done a nice job of getting those 11-yard gains, him and Ameer both, where it's like, now you're getting a first down and getting to first and 10 is huge."
3. Options in aerial attack
With Bowers drawing a majority of the attention from opposing secondaries, Jakobi Meyers has excelled as the team's WR1.
The receiver has five career games with over 100 receiving yards, two of those being within the last five weeks. With his 59 receptions on the season, he only has one dropped pass.
With 24 more receiving yards, he'll have his fifth consecutive season of 700+ yards and become one of 10 undrafted players in NFL history to accomplish that feat.
After being a limited participant at Thursday practice (ankle), he was a full-go at practice Friday. The offense will be counting on him even more with DJ Turner placed on injured reserve this week.
4. Trust in rushing the quarterback
The Raiders defense has been stout up front, sacking Patrick Mahomes five times last Friday. Their constant pressure on the quarterback has led to both Mahomes and Bo Nix completing under 60 percent of their passes in the Raiders' last two games.
The challenge that comes with facing Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is his ability to extend plays and throw on the run. However, if the Silver and Black can confine him to the pocket, they can potentially take away explosive plays and create turnovers. Mayfield has thrown 11 interceptions in 2024.
While Maxx Crosby continues to be the anchor of the defense, playing 100 percent of defensive snaps in the last six games, the rest of the defensive line has stepped up around him. Tyree Wilson has racked up three sacks and four tackles for loss in his last five games, while K'Lavon Chaisson is coming of a season-high 1.5 sacks against the Chiefs with a tackle for loss in two of his three games.
"The biggest thing with the rush we've always talked about, is really fluid," defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said. "So whether you're rushing four – especially when you're rushing four – there's always the possibility of exchanging gaps and rush lanes, so they do have to trust one another. They have to work together, and sometimes it takes time. ... You want it to move along quicker, that's what we always talk about. We're not the most patient people in the world, but there is a trust factor that goes into and it's going to be imperative this week, because Baker can make something out of nothing with those loose plays, because he's pretty good in the pocket too in terms of how he steps into the pocket, avoids the rush."
5. Battle of attrition
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a few question marks coming into Sunday's game from some of their top producing players.
Starting linebacker K.J. Britt (ankle) and starting safety Mike Edwards (hamstring) have been ruled out. Additionally, their rookie standout Bucky Irving (hip/back) is ruled questionable. Irving leads the team in rushing yards (732) and rushing touchdowns (six).
6. What happened last time
This will be the Raiders' first matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since Week 7 of the 2020 season.
Tampa Bay was victorious inside Allegiant Stadium, 45-20, as Tom Brady threw for 369 yards and four touchdowns. Crosby finished with four total tackles and a tackle for loss.
The Silver and Black have a 7-3 regular season record all-time against the Bucs. An interesting note: the road team has won each of their last four contests against each other, dating back to 2008.
As the Raiders prepare for their Week 14 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, view photos from their past matchups.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler (12) during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 28, 1976, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders tight end Warren Bankston (46) during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 28, 1976, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders fullback Pete Banaszak (40) during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 28, 1976, in Oakland, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders punter Ray Guy (8) kicks off during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 28, 1976, in Oakland, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Marc Wilson (6) during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 18, 1981, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Kenny King (33) during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 18, 1981, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders tight end Derrick Ramsey (84) during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 18, 1981, in Oakland, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Napoleon McCallum (41) during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 19, 1993, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Alexander Wright (89) during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 19, 1993, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders defensive end Greg Townsend (93) during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 19, 1993, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Jeff Hostetler (15) during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 19, 1993, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Lance Johnstone (51) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houlihan's Stadium, Sunday, November 10, 1996, in Tampa, Fla.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houlihans Stadium, Sunday, November 10, 1996, in Tampa, Fla.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Pat Swilling (56) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houlihan's Stadium, Sunday, November 10, 1996, in Tampa, Fla.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Darrell Russell (96) during the regular season away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, December 19, 1999, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders tackle Barry Sims (65) during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, December 19, 1999, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Travian Smith (53) during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, December 19, 1999, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jerry Porter (84) during Super Bowl XXXVII against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Qualcomm Stadium, Sunday, January 26, 2003, in San Diego, Calif.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon (12) and center/guard/tackle Adam Treu (62) during Super Bowl XXXVII against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Qualcomm Stadium, Sunday, January 26, 2003, in San Diego, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Travian Smith (56) during Super Bowl XXXVII against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Qualcomm Stadium, Sunday, January 26, 2003, in San Diego, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Charlie Garner (25) during Super Bowl XXXVII against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Qualcomm Stadium, Sunday, January 26, 2003, in San Diego, Calif.
Oakland Raiders guard/tackle Mo Collins (79) during Super Bowl XXXVII against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Qualcomm Stadium, Sunday, January 26, 2003, in San Diego, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Jon Ritchie (40) during Super Bowl XXXVII against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Qualcomm Stadium, Sunday, January 26, 2003, in San Diego, Calif.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon (12) during Super Bowl XXXVII against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Qualcomm Stadium, Sunday, January 26, 2003, in San Diego, Calif.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon (12) during the regular reason home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, September 26, 2004, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive back David Terrell (35) and cornerback Charles Woodson (24) during the regular reason home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, September 26, 2004, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Tyrone Wheatley (47) during the regular reason home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, September 26, 2004, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders safety Denard Walker (25) during the regular reason home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, September 26, 2004, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker DeLawrence Grant (59) during the regular reason home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, September 26, 2004, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) during the regular reason away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium, Sunday, October 30, 2016, in Tampa, Fla.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) during the regular reason away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium, Sunday, October 30, 2016, in Tampa, Fla.
Oakland Raiders tight end Mychal Rivera (81) during the regular reason away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium, Sunday, October 30, 2016, in Tampa, Fla.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) during the regular reason away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium, Sunday, October 30, 2016, in Tampa, Fla.
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the regular reason away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium, Sunday, October 30, 2016, in Tampa, Fla.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) makes a 41-yard touchdown catch during the regular reason away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium, Sunday, October 30, 2016, in Tampa, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) makes a 20-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, October 25, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) calls a play in the huddle during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, October 25, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib (94) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, October 25, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) blocks during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, October 25, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a 36-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, October 25, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) goes up for a catch during the regular season home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, October 25, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nev.
