The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their third straight matchup in Week 14 against the Raiders and improved to 7-6. En route to the driver's seat of the division, the Bucs bypassed the Falcons, who lost to the Vikings. This week, the Buccaneers will head to the West Coast to battle the 8-5 Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, December 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET. The Bucs will face a physical team led by Jim Harbaugh, franchise quarterback Justin Herbert and a defense that is allowing the fewest points in the NFL. Following kickoff, here are five players to observe:
Luke Goedeke
After facing a gauntlet of three-techniques during his rookie season at left guard, the Buccaneers' Luke Goedeke transitioned to right tackle and has settled into his newfound role. In 2024, Goedeke has allowed just one sack according to PFF, and he has played an integral role in the Bucs' resurgence on the ground in executing counter pulls to perfection. Goedeke plays with outstanding leg drive, anticipation as a move blocker and a solid pop off the line of scrimmage. Khalil Mack, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, will face off with Goedeke on Sunday. Mack tallied a career-high 17.0 sacks last season and has recorded 44 pressures and 13 quarterback hits in 2024. He rushes from both sides of the line to generate advantageous matchups and possesses rare first-step quickness. The top-tier NFL defender wreaks havoc in the backfield and consistently finds the football. Mack has a developed pass rush repertoire and violently pushes ball carriers backwards. The highly-competitive player will be on Liam Coen's radar on Sunday, as well as Baker Mayfield's.
Yaya Diaby
Rashawn Slater has solidified his reputation as one of the best left tackles in the NFL. He has allowed just 15 pressures on 423 pass blocking snaps and is first among all AFC offensive linemen in PFF's pass blocking grade with 90.2 and is first among all AFC tackles with a 91.4 offense grade (minimum of 400 snaps). Slater is a smooth move blocker and possesses great recovery athleticism. He is having arguably his best season as a pro and plays with outstanding strength. On Sunday, Slater will meet the Bucs' Yaya Diaby in the trenches. With 2.0 sacks, Diaby's stats may not 'wow', but his presence is felt in games. He leads the Bucs in pressure rate at 13.0% per Next Gen Stats and in quarterback hits with 13. Diaby has also made an impact against the run with eight tackles for loss in 2024. The Louisville product is a power rusher with sensational short-area burst. He is effective at setting up blockers and separates at the point of attack with a sharp punch.
Rachaad White
Rookie Bucky Irving was limited by a back injury for most of Sunday's win over the Raiders and third-year pro Rachaad White carried the load. He posted 109 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns - one on the ground and one through the air. White is averaging 4.2 yards per carry and has accumulated 41 receptions for 322 yards. He is effective as a pass-catcher out of the backfield and is a natural runner in the open field. White is stellar in pass protection, buying additional time for Baker Mayfield. He has traditionally thrived in mid-, and outside-zone runs with Irving making the most of working off counter gap runs and traps with his smaller frame. White had more runs with pullers out in front against the Raiders and took advantage. White will likely face Derwin James on Sunday. The Chargers' three-time Pro Bowl safety does it all as an interchangeable chess piece. He lines up in the slot, rushes off the edge in the box and lines up in the post. James' blitzes have generated 14 pressures in 2024, and White will play a key role in trying to contain the do-it-all player from collapsing the pocket around Mayfield. James is proficient at playing near the line of scrimmage to disrupt the run, attack the quarterback and cover tight ends/running backs in man. The rangy athlete has powerful pursuit and is disciplined in run fits.
Tristan Wirfs
The Chargers' Tuli Tuipulotu has 7.5 sacks (most) and 13 quarterback hits (T-most) since Week Eight among the club's defenders. Tuipulotu is tied with T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett for the most quarterback hits since Week Eight. Tuipulotu, the Chargers' second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, plays a rotational role for the Chargers behind Joey Bosa on the edge but he is an enforcer when on the field. He has the coveted blend of size, strength and athleticism. Tuipulotu is quick to shed blocks and plays with superb bend. At some point during Sunday's matchup, Tuipulotu will find himself in a one-on-one with Tristan Wirfs. Wirfs has allowed just one quarterback hit and zero sacks across 472 pass-blocking snaps per Pro Football Focus metrics. Across 445 pass-blocking snaps per Next Gen Stats, Wirfs has limited the opponents to just 20 quarterback pressures and 1.5 sacks. The Bucs' stalwart plays with upper-body power and lateral quickness to elongate rush lanes. Wirfs anchors the Tampa Bay offensive line and this will be a key matchup in Week 15.
Tykee Smith
Ladd McConkey missed the Chargers' previous matchup with knee/shoulder ailments, and he was limited in practice on Wednesday. He is expected to suit up against the Buccaneers and if that is the case, he will certainly be a go-to target for Justin Herbert. In the six games before he sat out the Week 14 contest, the former Bulldog hauled in 34 catches for 550 yards and two touchdowns. He is adept over the middle of the field and is able to create separation at all three levels of the field. With crisp breaks and an above-averaging understanding of leverage, McConkey is able to manipulate coverages. Tykee Smith was back in the lineup in Week 14 after missing three games with a knee injury and immediately made a game-shifting play. His third-quarter interception gave Smith a tie for the team lead in that category and he has racked up three forced fumbles. Smith has a high football IQ and made a living at Georgia disrupting pass-catchers underneath. He is physical near the line of scrimmage and has a menacing downhill charge.
