SNF Week 7: Buccaneers vs. Raiders odds, picks & predictions

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2) enter this Sunday Night Football matchup (4:05 p.m. ET, NBC) with the Las Vegas Raiders (3-2) off a dominating 38-10 victory against the Packers. The Raiders also exit a "statement" win against the Chiefs, 40-32, but they had a bye week in the interim.

Which team will build on their momentum, and which will be left to lick their wounds?

Brady takes backseat in Bucs’ big win

Tom Brady (166 passing yards) didn’t need to be "terrific" in Tampa’s 38-10 trouncing of Green Bay last Sunday.

The Buccaneers defense shut out the Packers over the final three quarters and sacked Aaron Rodgers four times while forcing two interceptions. Tampa tailback Ronald Jones had no trouble establishing himself, rushing for 113 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries.

Bucs’ defense the best it’s been in years

Tampa’s top-ranked rush defense is allowing a mere 64.33 yards per game on the ground through six weeks. This spells trouble for Raiders tailback Josh Jacobs, who has cooled off somewhat after a 93-yard, three-touchdown performance in Week 1 (71 yards per game, two touchdowns in four games since).

The Bucs’ stoppers – who are first in yards allowed per play (4.6) – also wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Their 22 sacks through Week 6 trail only the Steelers (24), and their 11 takeaways trail only the Browns (12). Las Vegas quarterback Derek Carr has tossed just one interception in 2020, but that could easily change on Sunday.

Jones should keep it rolling

Jones’ 113-yard performance against Green Bay was his third straight 100-yard game. He’s averaging 4.9 yards per carry on 97 attempts in 2020. Jones draws a plum matchup with the Raiders’ 24th-ranked run stoppers (126.4 yards allowed per game).

He should open things up for Brady through the air, not that the veteran signal caller needs much help in attacking the Raiders’ 25th-rated pass defense (267.0 yards allowed per game).

Raiders still ailing after bye week

Las Vegas head coach Jon Gruden admitted he’s "not a big fan" of bye weeks, but the bye may have come at the right time for his banged-up squad.

Defensive tackles Maurice Hurst and Maliek Collins, cornerback Damon Arnette, offensive lineman Richie Incognito, and wide-out Bryan Edwards were all described as "on the mend" by Gruden heading into Week 7.

The Bucs are a lot better off on the injury front; their only two players who did not practice on Wednesday were Brady (not injury related) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (shoulder).

Trends say take Tampa

Most trends regarding the Bucs are irrelevant – as Brady has played in just six games thus far – but this looks like a good spot to fade Las Vegas.

The Raiders are 17-35-1 against the spread in their last 53 games following a win, and have failed to cover in 12 of their last 17 games following a bye week.

Score prediction: Buccaneers 27, Raiders 20

NFL pick: Buccaneers spread

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