Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Presented by

2024 Game Preview: Raiders-Buccaneers, Week 14

After two consecutive road wins pulled them even with the Falcons in the NFC South, the Buccaneers return home to take on a talented Las Vegas team featuring Brock Bowers on offense and Maxx Crosby on defense

Dec 05, 2024 at 05:00 PM

Scott Smith

Senior Writer/Editor

Three weeks ago, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were 4-6 and riding a four-game losing streak into the bye week that put them two games back of the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South. The picture has changed significantly since then.

Atlanta lost games to the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers before and after its own bye week. The Buccaneers came out of their week off with renewed vigor and recorded road wins over the Giants and the Panthers. The first was a blowout and the second a nail-biter, but either way they were the wins the Bucs needed to tighten up the division race. Now both teams are 6-6, though Atlanta is in a more favorable position thanks to a pair of wins over the Buccaneers in the first half of the season.

Now there are five games left in the 2024 season and the 6-6 Buccaneers can capture their fourth straight NFC South title by winning one more game than the Falcons do. Since they can't predict what will happen to Atlanta down the stretch and won't get another head-to-head crack at them, they have to treat every outing as if it is an elimination game.

"Yeah, I mean obviously, we'd like to have a better record then we do now but we're still saying that we control our own destiny," said quarterback Baker Mayfield. "Outside factors right now don't really matter if we don't take care of business. It's got to be, 'How do we win this game?' And it's got to be like that every week on out."

That means the Bucs' next playoff game is against the Las Vegas Raiders, who visit Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, December 8. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET. It will be the Raiders' first trip to Tampa since 2016 (when they were still the Oakland Raiders), a wild overtime contest in which the visitors racked up 626 yards of offense in a 30-24 win. The Buccaneers know a thing or two about overtime games this season, having already played three of them, and the Raiders are coming off an impressive down-to-the-wire contest in Kansas City last week.

A botched snap at the end of that Black Friday game cost the Raiders a shot at a game-winning field goal and sent them to their eighth loss in row, dropping the team to 2-10 on the season. But quarterback Aidan O'Connell had his best performance of the season, in a campaign in which the Raiders have switched starters multiple times due to both performance and injury. O'Connell completed 23 of 35 passes for 340 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

"Just seeing him early on, he goes through his progression reads very well," Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles said of the second-year passer. "He's a very smart quarterback, he's a very tough quarterback, he can see pressure coming, he knows when to get rid of the ball, he's a very intelligent guy and he places it where it needs to be."

One of O'Connell's two touchdown passes in Kansas City went to precocious rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who currently leads all NFL players with 84 receptions. That was part of a 10-catch, 140-yard outing. Bowers, the 13th overall pick in this year's draft, has become the focal point of the Las Vegas offense, and while he plays a position that usually requires more time than most to adjust to the NFL, Bowers has easily backed up his pre-draft hype.

"I thought he was one of the best tight ends coming out in a long time – not just this draft, but in a long time," said Bowles. "He's living up to expectations. He can play wideout, he can play tight end, he can do some fullback, he can run jet sweeps. They do a lot of things with him and he's a very talented guy."

If Bowers has lived up to his first-round pedigree, Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby has delivered sensational returns for his selection in the fourth round in 2019. Crosby leads the Raiders with 7.5 sacks and 19 quarterback hits and plays with relentless energy. And, unlike almost every other player in the NFL at his position, he takes no time off. Incredibly, Crosby has played every single snap for the Raiders over their last six games.

"Obviously, [he's] a guy that is the game wrecker on their defense, never stops," said Mayfield. "He's always trying to get in the quarterbacks' head, pushes the boundaries on when the whistle stops and all that but that's – I've played Maxx a bunch and that's just how it is. Our O-line knows that. Everybody knows that's his M.O. so we'll be ready for it."

The Bucs plan to be ready for the challenge overall on Sunday when they take the field against the Raiders. They will be looking for their first three-game winning streak of the 2024 season, and if things go right in Tampa and Minneapolis, where the Falcons are playing, they could be in first place in the division by the end of the day.

GAME AND BROADCAST DETAILS

Las Vegas Raiders (2-10) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)

Sunday, December 8, 1:00 p.m. ET

Raymond James Stadium (capacity: 65,844)

Tampa, Florida

Television: CBS

TV Broadcast Team: Spero Dedes (play-by-play), Adam Archuleta (analysts), Aditi Kinkhabwala (reporter)

Radio: 98Rock (WXTB, 97.9 FM), Flagship Station

Radio Broadcast Team: Gene Deckerhoff (play-by-play), Dave Moore (analyst), T.J. Rives (reporter)

Spanish Radio: 96.1 Caliente

Spanish Radio Broadcast Team: Carlos Bohorquez (play-by-play), Martin Gramática (analyst), Santiago Gramática (reporter)

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Coming to the game or enjoying pregame festivities? Check out our Buccaneers Gameday Page for everything you need to know about getting ready for the game, Tailgate Packages, Bucs Beach and more!

TICKETING INFORMATION

The 2024 season is underway and there are a limited number of Single Game Tickets on sale now! Visit Buccaneers.com to purchase tickets.

ALL-TIME HEAD-TO-HEAD SERIES

The Buccaneers have won only three of their 10 regular-season games against the Oakland Raiders over the last 49 years, but they would have gladly gone oh-fer in that series in exchange for the results they got in their one postseason meeting.

The Raiders were the Buccaneers' opponent in Super Bowl XXXVII on January 26, 2003. Jon Gruden, in his first year as Tampa Bay's head coach, led his team against the franchise he had helmed the previous four seasons before a dramatic offseason trade in 2002. It was a rare Super Bowl showdown between the NFL's number-one offense and number-one defense, and Tampa Bay's legendary defense carried the day. The Buccaneers sacked NFL MVP Rich Gannon five times and set still-standing Super Bowl records with five interceptions and three pick-sixes.

Brad Johnson led the Buccaneers offense, throwing two touchdown passes to Keenan McCardell and Michael Pittman ran for 124 yards. The offensive line continued its excellent postseason run by not allowing Johnson to be sacked once. Safety Dexter Jackson was named Super Bowl MVP for turning the tide early with a pair of first half interceptions. The Buccaneers scored 34 unanswered points and won going away, 48-21.

Coincidentally, the Buccaneers also played and defeated the Raiders during the 2020 season that ended in the franchise' second Super Bowl victory. In Week Seven of that campaign, the Buccaneers played a game in Las Vegas for the first time and put together a dominant offensive performance in a 45-20 victory. Tom Brady threw for 369 yards, four touchdowns and no interception, tossing scoring strikes to Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski, Scotty Miller and Tyler Johnson. Brady also ran in a fifth touchdown.

The Buccaneers got their other two wins in the regular season series in 1996 and 2012 in games that were stylistically dissimilar, although both were part of three-game winning streaks for teams that had gotten off to a rough start.

The win in November of 1996 was just the second for Tony Dungy's Buccaneers, who in his first year at the helm had to preach to his players to stay the course after an 0-5 start. Those Bucs were 1-8 when they welcomed the then-Oakland Raiders to town, and it was a soon-to-be-legendary defense that led the way, holding Oakland to 271 yards in a back-and-forth battle. Mike Alstott's two-yard touchdown catch on a pass from Trent Dilfer tied the game at 17-17 in the fourth quarter and the Bucs got lucky when Cole Ford missed a 28-yard field goal at the end of regulation. Michael Husted won the game in overtime with a 23-yard field goal after a dive that was almost exclusively runs by Alstott and Errict Rhett.

The 2012 game was a scorefest, highlighted by the best individual rushing performance in franchise history. Doug Martin ran for 251 yards and four touchdowns, including scoring jaunts of 70, 67 and 45 yards, in a game that featured 939 yards of combined offense. The Buccaneers built a 35-17 lead but saw the Raiders storm back to make it a three-point game before Martin's final touchdown, a one-yard plunge.

The Raiders had the good fortune of being on Tampa Bay's schedule in the franchise's inaugural season of 1976 and opened the series with a lopsided 49-16 victory in Oakland. The Raiders won the next two, as well, in 1981 and 1993, before Dungy's team got the first 'W' in the series in '96. In terms of the Raiders' seven wins in the series, the most surprising one came late in the 1999 season. Dungy's team rode a franchise-record six-game winning streak into Oakland to face a 6-7 Raiders team, and the game quickly snow-balled out of control. Against a Bucs' defense that had held eight straight opponents to 20 or fewer points, the Raiders started with a 20-yard Tim Brown touchdown catch early in the first quarter and didn't stop until Napoleon Kaufman's 75-yard touchdown run made it a 45-0 final. The Bucs rebounded to win their last two regular-season games and advance to the NFC Championship Game in St. Louis.

The Raiders' most recent win in the series came in an overtime game in Tampa, 30-24, in October of 2016. The Buccaneers got to overtime despite a final yardage edge for the Raiders of 626 to 270, and then the two teams took the 15-minute extra period all the way down to two minutes before Derek Carr won it with a 41-yard touchdown pass to Seth Roberts.

NOTABLE CONNECTIONS

Kevin Ross, Tampa Bay's cornerbacks coach, tutored the safeties for the Raiders during the 2010-11 seasons.
Raiders Running Backs Coach Carnell Williams was drafted by the Buccaneers with the fifth-overall pick in 2005. The former Auburn star played six of his seven seasons in Tampa, during which he ran 968 times for 3,677 yards and 20 touchdown. He was the Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the year in 2005 after rushing for 1,178 yards and six touchdowns. Williams stands fifth on the Buccaneers' career rushing list.
Mike Caldwell, who is currently the Raiders' Run Game Coordinator/Linebackers Coach, tutored the Buccaneers' inside linebackers on Head Coach Bruce Arians' staff from 2019-2021, earning a Super Bowl LV championship ring at the end of the 2020 campaign.
Las Vegas cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly is the son of Brian Kelly, who played the same position for the Buccaneers from 1998 through 2007 after being drafted in the second round in 1998. The elder Kelly ranks sixth in franchise history with 22 interceptions and led the Buccaneers' legendary 2002 defense with eight picks.
Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden was on Tampa Bay's practice squad for the second half of the 2022 season and he went to training camp with the Buccaneers in the summer of 2023.
Cornerback Keenan Isaac, who is currently on the Raiders' practice squad spent five weeks on the Buccaneers' active roster and three more on the team's practice squad earlier this season. Isaac originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Buccaneers in 2023 and split his rookie season between the practice squad and the active roster.

SENIOR COACHING STAFFS

Tampa Bay:

Head Coach Todd Bowles

Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen

Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Kacy Rodgers

Pass Game Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote

Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey

Las Vegas:

Head Coach Antonio Pierce

Assistant Head Coach Marvin Lewis

Interim Offensive Coordinator Scott Turner

Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham

Special Teams Coordinator Tom McMahon

KEY 2024 ROSTER ADDITIONS

Buccaneers:

C Graham Barton (1st-round draft pick)
OLB Chris Braswell (2nd-round draft pick)
G Ben Bredeson (UFA)
TE Devin Culp (7th-round draft pick)
S Mike Edwards (W-TEN)
P Trenton Gill (FA)
CB Bryce Hall (UFA…currently on injured reserve)
CB Troy Hill (FA)
RB Bucky Irving (4th-round draft pick)
WR Kameron Johnson (UDFA…currently on injured reserve)
LB Vi Jones (FA)
G Elijah Klein (6th-round draft pick)
WR Jalen McMillan (3rd-round draft pick)
G Royce Newman (W-GB)
S Tykee Smith (3rd-round draft pick)
CB Tavierre Thomas (UFA)
S Jordan Whitehead (UFA)

Raiders:

TE Brock Bowers (1st-round draft pick)
TE Harrison Bryant (UFA)
DE K'Lavon Chaisson (FA)
LB Tommy Eichenberg (5th-round draft pick)
LB Amari Gainer (UDFA)
T DJ Glaze (3rd-round draft pick)
S Thomas Harper (W-LAC)
CB Darney Holmes (FA)
WR Ramel Kayton (UDFA)
RB Dylan Laube (6th-round draft pick)
DT Jonah Laula (W-IND)
WR Terrace Marshall (FA)
RB Alexander Mattison (FA)
QB Gardner Minshew (UFA…currently on injured reserve)
T Andrus Peat (FA)
C Jackson Powers-Johnson (2nd-round draft pick)
CB Decamerion Richardson (4th-round draft pick)
QB Desmond Ridder (FA)
S Trey Taylor (7th-round draft pick)
G Cody Whitehair (FA)
DT Christian Wilkins (UFA…currently on injured reserve)

ADDITIONAL 2024 CHANGES/DEVELOPMENTS OF NOTE

Buccaneers:

As Todd Bowles navigates his third season as the Bucs' head coach he is working with his third offensive coordinator in as many seasons. Last year, Bowles picked former Seattle Quarterbacks Coach Dave Canales to replace Byron Leftwich, but Canales departed this offseason to take over as the head coach of the Panthers. Bowles then turned to Liam Coen, who comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree with the Rams and most recently was the offensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky. Three members of the Bucs' 2023 staff followed Canales to Carolina – Brad Idzik, Harold Goodwin and Joe Gilbert, which led to some other new additions on Bowles staff in 2024. Those include Offensive Line Coach Kevin Carberry, Pass Game Coordinator Josh Grizzard, Wide Receivers Coach Bryan McClendon and Assistant Offensive Line Coach Brian Picucci. In addition, long-time Special Teams Coordinator Keith Armstrong retired in the offseason, so the Bucs brought in Thomas McGaughey as his replacement.
Under Coen, the Buccaneers' offense employs quite a bit more pre-snap shifts and movement than it had in 2023, and Coen also has widened the variety of the types of runs the ground game employees. One of Coen's other key initiatives in an attempt to get a moribund rushing attack going is to give quarterback Baker Mayfield multiple plays to choose from in the huddle and at the line so that the offense runs into unfavorable looks less often.
Despite having tight salary cap restrictions, the Buccaneers made it a priority to retain key players from the 2023 season who were scheduled to hit free agency. General Manager Jason Licht and his staff successfully checked off every item on their list of priorities, beginning with a new two-year deal for franchise icon Mike Evans. That helped bring the team's negotiations with quarterback Baker Mayfield to a conclusion. After Mayfield played the 2023 season on a one-year prove-it deal, his resurgence landed him a lucrative new multi-year contract. The Bucs were also able to re-sign linebacker Lavonte David and kicker Chase McLaughlin. With the other deals in the works, the Bucs used the franchise tag on safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and later inking him to a new contract making him the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL.
All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs didn't need a new contract for 2024 but he was entering the final year of his rookie deal and the Buccaneers were highly motivated to lock him in to a new long-term pact. That lengthy process came to a head on August 1, when the two sides agreed on a five-year extension that runs through the 2029 campaign and makes him the highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL.
In March, the Buccaneers traded cornerback Carlton Davis, who had started 75 games over six seasons with the team, to the Detroit Lions for a third-round pick in this year's draft. The Buccaneers eventually used that pick to select Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan.
In a Week Seven Monday Night Football game against Baltimore, the Buccaneers' offense took several serious blows when both Chris Godwin and Mike Evans suffered significant injuries. Godwin, who at the time was leading the NFL with 50 receptions, sustained a dislocated ankle that will keep him out for at least the rest of the regular season, though he has spoken of the possibility of returning for the postseason if the Buccaneers make it into the field. Evans, who caught his 100th career touchdown pass earlier in the Ravens game, incurred a hamstring injury that caused him to miss three games before his return in Week 12.

Raiders:

The Raiders went into the offseason looking for a new head coach after firing Josh McDaniels following a 3-5 start to the 2023 campaign. They didn't have to look far. Interim Head Coach Antonio Pierce led the Raiders to a 5-4 second half and had the vocal support of the roster, and Pierce officially got the interim tag removed in mid-January.
Las Vegas also fired General Manager David Ziegler on the same day they let McDaniels go, bringing Ziegler's tenure to an end after one and a half seasons. To replace him, the Raiders hired Tom Telesco, who had been let go in December by the Los Angeles Chargers after almost 11 seasons in the same post.
After the Raiders got off to a 2-7 start this season, they elected to make some changes to Pierce's coaching staff. Relieved of their duties were Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy, Offensive Line Coach James Cregg and quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello, all of whom were new additions to the Las Vegas staff in 2024. Scott Turner, previously the pass game coordinator, was named the interim offensive coordinator and long-time NFL coach Joe Philbin, who had been serving in a senior offensive assistant role, took over the offensive line. Las Vegas did not name a new quarterbacks coach but did hire Norv Turner, who had been their head coach in 2004-05, as a senior advisor.
Two-and-a-half years after landing star wide receiver Davante Adams in a blockbuster trade with the Green Bay Packers, the Raiders traded Adams away, sending him to the New York Jets in October in exchange for a third-round draft pick that could become a second-rounder under certain conditions. Adams played in a total of 37 games for Las Vegas, catching 221 passes for 2,869 yards and 23 touchdowns.
After an ill-fated signing of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in 2023, the Raiders went a different route in 2024, first releasing Garoppolo in March with a post-June 1 designation to spread out his cap hit. The Raiders then signed Gardner Minshew to pair with Aidan O'Connell, a 2023 fourth-round pick who had made 10 starts as a rookie. Minshew won the starting job out of training camp but was replaced late in two of the Raiders first five games by O'Connell, and O'Connell was named the starter in Week Six. He opened two games but suffered a broken thumb in the second one and was sent to injured reserve. Minshew went back into the starting lineup for the next four games but sustained a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 12. O'Connell was activated from injured reserve this Thursday and made the start against Kansas City on Friday. Desmond Ridder, who was plucked off Arizona's practice squad on October 22, is now the backup and has seen action in two games this season.

INJURY REPORT

Key:

DNP: Did not participate in practice

LP: Limited participation in practice

FP: Full participation in practice

NL: Not listed

Buccaneers:

LB K.J. Britt (ankle) – WEDS: DNP; THURS: DNP; FRI: DNP. Game Status: Out.
LB Lavonte David (rest) – WEDS: NL; THURS: NL; FRI: LP. Game Status: Not listed.
S Mike Edwards (hamstring) – WEDS: DNP; THURS: DNP; FRI: DNP. Game Status: Out.
WR Mike Evans (hamstring/calf) – WEDS: DNP; THURS: DNP; FRI: LP. Game Status: Not listed.
DL Greg Gaines (ankle) – WEDS: FP; THURS: FP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Not listed.
DL Will Gholston (knee) – WEDS: FP; THURS: FP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Not listed.
CB Josh Hayes (hamstring) – WEDS: NL; THURS: NL; FRI: LP. Game Status: Questionable.
CB Troy Hill (foot/knee) – WEDS: LP; THURS: DNP; FRI: Placed on injured reserve.
RB Bucky Irving (hip/back) – WEDS: DNP; THURS: DNP; FRI: LP. Game Status: Questionable.
QB Baker Mayfield (Achilles/knee) – WEDS: FP; THURS: FP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Not listed.
Anthony Nelson (shoulder) – WEDS: DNP; THURS: LP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Not listed.
WR Trey Palmer (hip) – WEDS: NL; THURS: LP; FRI: LP. Game Status: Questionable.
LB J.J. Russell (hamstring) – WEDS: NL; THURS: NL; FRI: FP. Game Status: Questionable.
S Tykee Smith (knee) – WEDS: LP; THURS: LP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Questionable.
OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (ankle) – WEDS: LP; THURS: LP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Questionable.
OLB Markees Watts* (knee) – WEDS: FP; THURS: FP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Out.
T Tristan Wirfs (foot/knee) – WEDS: DNP; THURS: DNP; FRI: LP. Game Status: Not listed.

* Watts is in his 21-day practice window for return from injured reserve.

Raiders:

RB Ameer Abdullah (foot) – WEDS: NL; THURS: FP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Not listed.
CB Nate Hobbs (ankle) – WEDS: DNP; THURS: DNP; FRI: DNP. Game Status: Out.
RB Alexander Mattison (ankle) – WEDS: LP; THURS: LP; FRI: LP. Game Status: Questionable.
G Jordan Meredith (shoulder) – WEDS: FP; THURS: FP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Not listed.
WR Jakobi Meyers (ankle) – WEDS: NL; THURS: DNP; FRI: LP. Game Status: Questionable.
QB Aidan O'Connell (illness) – WEDS: NL; THURS: DNP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Not listed.
TE Justin Shorter (back) – WEDS: FP; THURS: DNP; FRI: DNP. Game Status: Doubtful.
RB Zamir White (quadriceps) – WEDS: DNP; THURS: DNP; FRI: DNP. Game Status: Out.

WEATHER FORECAST

Mostly sunny. High of 77, low of 57, 6% chance of rain, 57% humidity, winds out of the E at 5-10 mph.

GAME REFEREE

Head referee: Alan Eck (9th season, 2nd as referee)

BETTING LINE

Favorite: Buccaneers (-6.5)
Over/Under: 46.0

INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS IN 2024

Buccaneers-

Points Scored: K Chase McLauglin, 97

Touchdowns: WR Mike Evans, 7

Passing Yards: QB Baker Mayfield, 3,034

Passer Rating: QB Baker Mayfield, 101.3

Rushing Yards: RB Bucky Irving, 732

Receptions: TE Cade Otton, 54

Receiving Yards: WR Chris Godwin*, 576

Interceptions: CB Zyon McCollum, 2

Sacks: DL Calijah Kancey/DL Vita Vea, 6.0

Tackles: LB Lavonte David, 85

* On injured reserve

Raiders-

Points Scored: K Daniel Carlson, 87

Touchdowns: TE Brock Bowers/RB Alexander Mattison, 4

Passing Yards: QB Gardner Minshew*, 2,013

Passer Rating: QB Aidan O'Connell, 88.1

Rushing Yards: RB Alexander Mattison, 320

Receptions: TE Brock Bowers, 84

Receiving Yards: TE Brock Bowers, 884

Interceptions: S Tre'von Moehrig, 2

Sacks: DE Maxx Crosby, 7.5

Tackles: LB Robert Spillane, 111

* On injured reserve

TEAM STAT RANKINGS IN 2024

Buccaneers-

Scoring Offense: 5th (27.9 ppg)

Total Offense: 6th (375.9 ypg)

Rushing Offense: 8th (137.2 ypg)

Passing Offense: 6th (238.8 ypg)

First Downs Per Game: 3rd (22.7)

Third-Down Pct.: 2nd (47.6%)

Sacks Per Pass Attempt Allowed: 16th (6.86%)

Red Zone TD Pct.: t-3rd (66.7%)

Scoring Defense: 25th (24.7 ppg)

Total Defense: 28th (375.4 ypg)

Rushing Defense: 12th (117.2 ypg)

Passing Defense: 30th (258.3 ypg)

First Downs Allowed Per Game: 29th (21.6)

Third-Down Pct. Allowed: 24th (42.9%)

Sacks Per Pass Attempt: 21st (7.27%)

Red Zone TD Pct. Allowed: 13th (53.3%)

Turnover Margin: t-15th (-1)

Raiders-

Scoring Offense: 27th (18.6 ppg)

Total Offense: 25th (304.4 ypg)

Rushing Offense: 32nd (78.1 ypg)

Passing Offense: 14th (226.3 ypg)

First Downs Per Game: 23rd (18.3)

Third-Down Pct.: 26th (34.6%)

Sacks Per Pass Attempt Allowed: 21st (9.11%)

Red Zone TD Pct.: 28th (48.4)

Scoring Defense: 28th (27.8 ppg)

Total Defense: 15th (327.7 ypg)

Rushing Defense: 11th (114.8 ypg)

Passing Defense: 14th (212.9 ypg)

First Downs Allowed Per Game: 19th (19.5)

Third-Down Pct. Allowed: 22nd (41.4%)

Sacks Per Pass Attempt: 26th (6.19%)

Red Zone TD Pct. Allowed: 22nd (59.7%)

Turnover Margin: 32nd (-18)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

LB Lavonte David has 36.5 career sacks and needs 2.5 more to tie David Logan for sixth place in Buccaneers history.
WR Mike Evans has played in 163 games as a Buccaneer. His next one will put him into a tie with Hall of Fame safety John Lynch for seventh place in franchise history.
QB Baker Mayfield has 24 touchdown passes and one more would put him at 25 in 2024, just three below the career high of 28 he threw last season. That would also allow him to join Tom Brady as the only quarterbacks in team history to have consecutive seasons with 25-plus touchdown passes.
S Antoine Winfield Jr. recorded his 17th career sack in Week 12 against the New York Giants. One more sack would put him into a tie with Adam Archuleta, Bill Bates and Roman Harper for the 11th-most by an NFL defensive back since the sack became an official statistic in 1982.
TE Cade Otton has a team-leading 54 receptions in 2024. Four more would allow him to surpass Cam Brate (57 catches in 2016) for the fifth most in a single season by a tight end in franchise history.

NOTABLY QUOTABLE

Head Coach Todd Bowles on the reason for Tampa Bay's offensive struggles in the first half against Carolina: "I think we struggled in the red zone – we missed assignments there. We turned it over twice and we shot ourselves in the foot with some penalties. That doesn't make for a good first half. [Baker Mayfield] getting hurt probably calmed him down and got him back refocused and recalibrated. He came back and he played a heck of a game coming back for us."
Quarterback Baker Mayfield on if he's surprised on how quickly they have caught up to the Falcons in the NFC South standings: "I mean, that's the ebbs and flows of the season. You can be hot early, you can be hot in the middle or late. You just have to be hot at the right time. We're trying to continue to build and stack these wins and by any means, find a way to win. Like I keep saying, control our own destiny and see what happens."
Running back Bucky Irving on when things started to 'click' for him at the NFL level: "It really didn't click with me as much when I first got here. There's always doubt when you first get to a new thing in life. I'd pretty much say I just put my head down each and every day and grind and go to work – never get comfortable or satisfied…Being able to trust the process whenever my number is called, going out there and doing what's best for the team."
Bowles on the difficulties of facing a middle-of-the-field presence like Las Vegas TE Brock Bowers considering Tampa Bay's struggles in that area this season: "I don't know if it's been tight ends as opposed to it's been the middle of the field, from either a zone standpoint or a man [coverage] standpoint or a bust standpoint from here or there. I don't think it has anything to do with the tight ends – it's about us taking care of us and doing the little things right and being where we're supposed to be. He's a tough cover, regardless. He's going to be a tough cover for anybody every week he plays. We've just got to try and contain him. He's going to get some plays, we just can't let him get the YAC (yards after catch) yards or the big plays."

Mayfield on if he looks at game-tying and game-winning drives as just a regular drive or if it helps knowing the stakes of it: "No, you definitely have to know the situation and everything but when it comes down to it, it's situationally being able to execute knowing that you have three timeouts, a little over 30 seconds. We can throw the ball up the middle of the field. We can do that, get the clock stopped with a timeout, you want to get it to the sidelines to where you don't have to burn them. Our guys were locked in. Situationally, that was really well executed by everybody."

Latest Headlines

Baker Mayfield Joins Exclusive 4,500-40 Club

Data Crunch: The incredible moment in Sunday's win over the Saints that got Mike Evans to 1,000 receiving yards for the 11th year in a row also allowed Baker Mayfield to hit an impressive milestone

Mike Evans Ties Jerry Rice's Consecutive 1,000-Yard Seasons Record

On Sunday, Buccaneers WR Mike Evans surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the 11th season in a row, joining Hall of Famer Jerry Rice as the only players in NFL history to accomplish that feat

Todd Bowles on Getting Mike Evans His Record | Press Conference

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles spoke to the media the day after the media after the Bucs' 27-19 victory against the New Orleans Saints in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL Season. HC Bowles discussed the aggressive play-calling in the NFC South clinching win, the production of the Bucs' 2024 rookie class and looking ahead to face the Washington Commanders in the 2024-2025 Wild Card round.

Bucs-Commanders Playoff Game Set for Sunday Night

Tampa Bay and Washington will meet during Super Wild Card Weekend on Sunday night at Raymond James Stadium, with kickoff set for 8:00 p.m. ET

Bucs' Finalized List of 2025 Opponents Includes Eagles, Lions, Texans

By clinching the NFC South on Sunday, the Buccaneers earned road games in 2025 against fellow first-place teams Detroit and Houston, plus a visit from the NFC East champion Eagles

Breaking Down The Bucs' Fourth Consecutive NFC South Championship | Nothing But Bucs

The Buccaneers are headed back to the playoffs as NFC South Champions for the fourth year in a row. And, host T.J. Rives returns to recap the clinching win Sunday over the Saints 27-19! Hear all the exciting highlights from Gene Deckerhoff and T.J.'s post-game interviews with QB Baker Mayfield, WR Mike Evans on his historic day, LB Lavonte David and Coach Todd Bowles and more! It's all part of a playoff-bound edition of "Nothing But Bucs!

Saints vs. Bucs Full Game Highlights | Tampa Bay Wins 27-19

View the best plays from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' game against the New Orleans Saints in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL Season.

Saints vs. Bucs Week 18 | Top Images Gallery

View the top images of Tampa Bay's Week 18 game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, January 5th, 2025 at Raymond James Stadium, where the Buccaneers won their fourth-straight NFC South title.

Bucs Rally Past Saints in Thriller, Head Back to Postseason

The Buccaneers fought back from a 10-point halftime deficit to beat the Saints, 27-19 on Sunday to capture a fourth straight division title, then celebrated with an emotional milestone on the game's last snap

Baker Mayfield: Mike Evans is 'One-of-One' | Press Conference

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Baker Mayfield spoke to the media after the Bucs' 27-19 victory against the New Orleans Saints in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL Season. QB Mayfield discussed WR Mike Evans' 'unbelievable' record-extending catch, the importance of winning this game and being ready for the playoffs.

Todd Bowles' Postgame Speech Following Winning NFC South Title vs. Saints

Watch as Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles & WR Mike Evans address the team in the locker room following the Bucs' 27-19 victory against the New Orleans Saints in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL Season.

Peter Schrager Awards Bucs HC Todd Bowles As Coach of the Week 'GMFB'

NFL Network's Peter Schrager awards Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles as coach of the week.

Mike Evans on The Moment He Surpassed 1,000 Yards | Press Conference

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide Receiver Mike Evans spoke to the media after the Bucs' 27-19 victory against the New Orleans Saints in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL Season. WR Mike Evans discussed tying Jerry Rice's 1,000-yard seasons record, the defense giving him a shot and what the organization means to him.

5 Notes Against the Saints | Week 18

The Buccaneers claimed the NFC South crown for the fourth-straight year with a 27-19 victory over the Saints in Week 18

Bucs Claim NFC South Title for Record Fourth Consecutive Year

The Buccaneers' victory over New Orleans on Sunday made them the NFC South champs for the fourth straight year, extending their own longest title streak and matching the longest run for any team since the division was formed in 2002

Mike Evans Hauls In 8-Yard Pass For 11th-Straight 1,000-Yard Season | Saints vs. Bucs Highlights

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans catches an eight-yard pass to surpass 1,000 receiving yards for the 11th-straight year against the New Orleans Saints in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season.

Buccaneers Claim 3 Seed in NFC Playoff Field, Face Commanders in Wild Card Round

Tampa Bay won its fourth straight division title on Sunday and also jumped up a spot in the overall NFC playoff field, meaning they will start their postseason journey next weekend at home against Washington

Rapid Reaction: Buccaneers 27, Saints 19

The Buccaneers punch their ticket to the playoffs with a 27-19 win over the Saints

Photos: Postgame Celebration | Saints vs. Bucs

View the postgame celebration of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' regular season Week 18 win vs. the New Orleans Saints

Washington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2024-2025 Wild Card Round Playoff Preview

Here's what you need to know about the upcoming NFL Wild Card Playoff matchup between the Bucs and the Washington Commanders.

Tickets

Advertising

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2024 Game Preview: Raiders-Buccaneers, Week 14

After two consecutive road wins pulled them even with the Falcons in the NFC South, the Buccaneers return home to take on a talented Las Vegas team featuring Brock Bowers on offense and Maxx Crosby on defense

Related Links

Related Content

2024 Game Preview: Saints-Buccaneers, Week 18

2024 Game Preview: Panthers-Buccaneers, Week 17

2024 Game Preview: Buccaneers-Cowboys, Week 16

2024 Game Preview: Buccaneers-Chargers, Week 15

2024 Game Preview: Buccaneers-Panthers, Week 13

2024 Game Preview: Buccaneers-Giants, Week 12

2024 Game Preview: 49ers-Buccaneers, Week 10

2024 Game Preview: Buccaneers-Chiefs, Week 9

2024 Game Preview: Falcons-Buccaneers, Week 8

2024 Game Preview: Ravens-Buccaneers, Week 7

2024 Game Preview: Buccaneers-Saints, Week 6