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Raiders at Buccaneers: Game preview, odds, prediction

By John Buhler

October 23, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Shepard (89) scores a touchdown against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) during the second quarter at Levi
October 23, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Shepard (89) scores a touchdown against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) during the second quarter at Levi /
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Oakland Raiders on Sunday afternoon in Week 8. Here’s a game preview, the betting odds and a final score prediction.

Week 8 is already here. One of the early afternoon games on the schedule sees the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Oct. 30. Kickoff from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa will be at 1:00 p.m. ET. CBS will have the telecast.

The Raiders are 5-2 on the year and are 4-0 on the road. This is one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NFL week in and week out. Oakland feels like a playoff caliber team in the AFC West. The Raiders have a star signal caller in the making in third-year quarterback Derek Carr. It’s been a while, but we can safely say the Raiders are good again.

Tampa Bay is 3-4 on the season with all three wins coming on the road. Should the Buccaneers win on Sunday against Oakland, Tampa Bay has a shot at being in first place in the NFC South on Nov. 1. The Buccaneers need a win and the rival Atlanta Falcons need to fall at home to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon for the that to happen.

Odds

Point Spread: Tampa Bay -1.5

Moneylines: Tampa Bay -125, Oakland +105

Over/Under: 49.5

According to OddsShark.com, the Buccaneers are laying 1.5 points at home to the Raiders. The associated moneylines are Tampa Bay -125 and Oakland +105. This game’s over/under comes in at 49.5 combined points.

Here are a few trends to keep in mind with the Raiders: 1. Oakland is 4-1 straight up in its last five games. 2. The Raiders are 5-0 against the spread in their last five road games. 3. Oakland is 6-1 straight up in its last seven road games. 4. The Raiders have gone over in five of their last seven games.

Here are some trends to know about the Buccaneers before this games: 1. Tampa Bay is 3-7 straight up and against the spread in its last 10 games. 2. The Buccaneers have gone over in six of their last nine games. 3. Tampa Bay is 1-4 against the spread in its last five home games. 4. The Buccaneers are 3-16 straight up in their last 19 home games.

This is one of the easier games to pick on the slate. Don’t be fooled by the Raiders playing at 10:00 a.m. ET local time on Sunday. Oakland stayed in the Sunshine State after beating the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field last week. Take the Raiders getting points and the over in this one.

Sunday afternoon’s game at Raymond James has the potential to be a shootout. Both teams have shown that they can hang in those sort of games this year. Neither clubs’ defense has demonstrated they are anywhere near the league’s upper echelon.

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Tampa Bay is terrible at home. Add in that the Raiders have a reliable running game again with a healthy Latavius Murray back in the fold, and Oakland should move to 5-0 on the road this season by upsetting the home favorite Buccaneers.

Pick: Raiders 31, Buccaneers 27

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