



For the Oakland Raiders (5-2) to close out their extended road trip with a win, they'll need a thorough scouting report on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3).

This article will provide a rundown on Tampa Bay's offense, defense and special teams. The Raiders will use a report similar to this one to create an air-tight game plan.

Here's the low down on the Buccaneers heading into Week 8.

The Oakland Raiders take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8. Want the latest news on the matchup sent straight to your inbox? – Sign up for our FREE Raiders newsletter now!

Offense

The Buccaneers have a hot-and-cold offense that averages 365.3 yards per game (12th in NFL). Although they blew out the San Francisco 49ers last weekend, they have mustered just one touchdown in two separate losses this season. The play of sophomoric quarterback Jameis Winston is a big reason why this unit fluctuates so much. He has thrown 12 touchdowns (tied-9th most), but he has also thrown nine interceptions (tied-3rd most). On top of his wild arm, Winston has also fumbled four times and lost two. He has one of the NFL's most dominant physically dominant pass-catchers in his arsenal, though, as third-year wideout Mike Evans stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 231 pounds. With Doug Martin hurt, Jacquizz Rodgers has emerged as a decent threat at the running back position with over 100 yards rushing in each of the past two weeks.

If the Raiders can get some pressure on Winston and force him to make some hurried decisions, they will have some opportunities to take the ball away. Defensive end/linebacker Khalil Mack will need to be disruptive. Cornerbacks David Amerson and Sean Smith will need some help from safety Reggie Nelson when it comes to covering Evans.

Defense

Tampa Bay's defense is halfway decent with an average of 350.7 yards allowed per game (13th in NFL). The biggest difference-maker the Buccaneers have is defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who leads the team with three sacks and has 15 quarterback hurries, per Pro Football Focus. Rookie defensive end Noah Spence is also a decent pass-rusher and is coming off his best performance of the season. The Buccaneers are weak at linebacker, but they have an interesting mix of talent in the defensive backfield. Veteran cornerback Brent Grimes is a proven playmaker with an interception and seven defended passes this season. Opposite him, rookie cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III is coming along with a couple of defended passes of his own.

The Raiders have matchups all over the field on offense. Their offensive line should be able to handle Tampa Bay's pass-rush, the Buccaneers cornerbacks can't handle both Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, and Oakland's running backs should have plenty of room to attack underneath.

Special teams

The Buccaneers have a shaky kicker in second-round rookie Roberto Aguayo, who has missed five of his 11 field-goal attempts and one extra-point attempt so far this season. Punter Bryan Anger is a more solid specialist, as he's averaging a healthy 46.3 yards per punt and has dropped 13 of his 30 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line in 2016.

Tampa Bay's return specialists are nothing special. They lack a decent kick returner, and Adam Humphries longest punt return of the season is only 25 yards. Oakland's coverage units should be able to dominate this aspect of the game.