Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 2, 2012 (edited) The Oakland Raiders haven't faced the stiffest competition lately, but they're heading in the right direction. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers know they'll have to keep moving forward without All-Pro left guard Carl Nicks. Oakland goes for a season-best third consecutive win on Sunday when a Buccaneers victory would give them rare back-to-back road wins. After opening 1-4, the Raiders (3-4) are back in the thick of the AFC West race after beating Jacksonville in overtime on Oct. 21 and last Sunday's 26-16 victory at Kansas City. Those certainly weren't signature wins - the Jaguars and Chiefs have two of the league's worst records - but Oakland is riding some positive momentum as it begins a stretch of five of seven at home. "Yeah, I feel like our guys have confidence that they can go out and compete, that we can win football games," rookie coach Dennis Allen said. "Like I told them, this is only important if you're able to go out and win the next one." The Raiders last won three straight from Nov. 10-27. Allen, though, has been concerned about the team's red-zone touchdown efficiency, which is near the bottom of the league rankings at 34.8 percent (8 for 23). Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer could find it difficult to improve in that area as Tampa Bay (3-4) is fifth in the NFL in opponent's red-zone TD percentage at 38.1 percent (8 of 21). The Buccaneers also have one of the best run defenses in the league, holding opponents to 85.1 yards per game. That might not bode well for Darren McFadden, who ran for a season-best 114 yards last week as Oakland won its fifth straight when he goes over 100. The Raiders piled up 353 rushing yards in three October games after running for 243 in four September contests. Buccaneers rookie back Doug Martin averaged 155.7 scrimmage yards in three October games after totaling 135 on the ground and 79 through the air - both season highs - in a 36-17 win over Minnesota on Oct. 25 that snapped Tampa Bay's nine-game road skid. If the Buccaneers are to win back-to-back road games for the first time since the end of the 2010 season and earn their first victory in five tries in Oakland, they'll have to do it without Nicks, who was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with a toe injury. Ted Larsen or Jeremy Trueblood could start in Nicks' place, but coach Greg Schiano said Wednesday that "everyone's a possibility right now." The loss of Nicks not only could impact Martin's ability to break through the line, it could give the Raiders, who have six sacks in the last two games, more shots at Josh Freeman. The Buccaneers' signal-caller has been sacked just four times in the last three games as he's thrown for nine TDs and 1,010 yards. "It's a tough loss - that's an understatement - when you have a guy of Carl's stature and ability that he brings to the field each week," Schiano said. "But nobody's going to feel sorry for us. That's the game. So we're going to work some different combinations this week, figure out what's best and put the best five out there we can put together and go run our offense." Tampa Bay is averaging 34.0 points and 464 yards while winning two of its last three. The Raiders, who had a season-high four takeaways last Sunday, could get a boost on the defensive side with linebacker Aaron Curry set to come off the physically unable to perform list following offseason knee surgery. Tampa Bay defensive end Da'Quan Bowers (Achilles') returned from the PUP list against the Vikings, and he could see more action against Oakland depending on how practice goes this week. An increased workload by Bowers should only help a unit that recorded three sacks in Minnesota after having none in the previous two weeks. Palmer was not sacked last Sunday while throwing for 209 yards and two scores. Wide receiver Denarius Moore has a chance to become the first Raider with a TD reception in four consecutive games since Tim Brown had a five-game streak from Nov. 5-Dec. 2, 2001. Oakland is 6-1 in the regular season versus Tampa Bay following a 31-24 road win on Dec. 28, 2008. Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Bucs better not let me down in this game. Raiders are terrible and need to lose. Edited November 8, 2012 by Vin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 3, 2012 I think we will win, but it won't be as easy as expecting with Carl Nicks on IR now. We won't have both our starting CB's for this game (Talib just got traded and Wright is suspended), both our pro bowl guards, and a starting DE (Clayborn). We've been just getting killed by injuries. But anyways, I think Freeman continues to impress and has another big game. Same with V-Jax and M-Will. I think Palmer will get a fair share of passing yards because our secondary sucks and Wright is out now which sadly won't help. I'm not too worried about McFadden and their run game though. Our run D has been great all year and McFadden only has something like 3.3 YPC. I don't see him doing much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigBen07 285 Posted November 3, 2012 (edited) With the way the Bucs offense has been lately I wouldn't be surprised if they pull out the win here. I also feel Tampa's run D will do it's job nicely. 27 14 Edited November 3, 2012 by BigBen07 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KiLaSix9+ 398 Posted November 3, 2012 As long as we don't get beat by the big play down field, we should be fine in this one. I expect us to be 4-4 come Monday morning. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted November 3, 2012 Like the Bucs to take this Super Bowl 37 rematch just like did in 2003. Though the score won't be as one-sided. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 3, 2012 Don't ask me how but Eric Wright has not been suspended yet and WILL play tomorrow against Oakland. That should help the secondary... a little bit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted November 3, 2012 24-23 Raiders Raiders interior line vs. Buc;s interior Oline will make the difference imo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted November 4, 2012 Just going with my gut in this one. I'm stuck watching this on TV so I hope it's a good game. 27 24 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 4, 2012 Bucs have been playing a lot better lately, but I have to believe the Raiders are going to win a game at some point... Or do they? lol Raiders - 21 Bucs - 20 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 4, 2012 but I have to believe the Raiders are going to win a game at some point... Or do they? lol What? The Raiders are on a 2 game win streak and are 3-4. They've won just as many games as the Bucs BTW, just saw a stat that the Bucs are 0-5 in Oakland. Hopefully we can get our first win their today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Franchise 5 1 Posted November 4, 2012 Let's go Bucs! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 4, 2012 31 24 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 4, 2012 Raiders declared QB Terrelle Pryor, LB Keenan Clayton, DT Christo Bilukidi, DE Jack Crawford, OL Khalif Barnes, OG Lucas Nix, and CB Shawntae Spencer inactive for Week 9 against the Buccaneers. There are no surprises here. Pryor has been inactive all season. Bucs declared RB Michael Smith, S Keith Tandy, LBs Jacob Cutrera and Najee Goode, G Roger Allen, and WR Chris Owusu inactive for Week 9 against the Raiders. The Bucs are one of the NFL's healthiest teams coming off their 10-day layoff following last Thursday night's impressive win over the Vikings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 4, 2012 So, Larsen is starting at C... I actually like him more at C than OG because of his size, but I really hope we don't see any bad snaps or anything... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 4, 2012 Good D by the Bucs. Force the Raiders to go 3 and out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 4, 2012 Damn, new o-line already struggling. Freeman had no time on that last play. Clark dropping that pass on 1st down was huge too. Should have been another 1st down. Nice punt by Koenan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 4, 2012 Another 3 and out for the D. Unfortunately, bad ST's gives us awful field position. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted November 4, 2012 Bucs on Oakland's 32..Let's go Bucs! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 4, 2012 Bad special teams is killing us. Our 33 yard FG by Barth got blocked and the Raiders brought it all the way back into Bucs territory. Raiders only get a FG off it though. 3-0 Raiders Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 4, 2012 V-JAX! 65 yard catch! 15 yards taken back though because he spiked the ball after the play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 4, 2012 TD V-JAX! AWESOME! 7-3 Bucs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted November 4, 2012 Michael Bennett is down... you can't be fucking serious... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
