After winning in Jacksonville on Sunday, the Oakland Raiders will hang out in Florida before their Week 8 showdown with the Tampa Buccaneers. And why not, the Raiders have enjoyed the road all season long. They improved to 4-0 away from home with a thumping of the Jaguars and look for the Sunshine State sweep. The Bucs also have a shot at the Bay Area sweep after knocking off the dreadful 49ers in Northern California on Sunday, but they’ll need to get their first home win of the season to do it.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 8 game is set for Sunday, October 30, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Oakland Raiders +1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers -1
Over/Under 49
Odds Analysis
Early sharp action on the Raiders forced the line to move from a pick em to Oakland +1. The visitors saw nearly 60 percent of the early wagers, likely because they’re 4-0 SU and ATS on the road so far. Home field becomes mighty important for Tampa Bay with the next three played in the Bucs yard. They are tied in the loss column atop the NFC South but have yet to win at RJ Stadium. With the total at 49, the over is getting plenty of action. There’s a good chance that number spikes before kickoff.
Injury Report
Doug Martin – The loss of Martin hasn’t affected Tampa Bay’s run game yet, but should he remain out longer, it will likely catch up to them. Backup Charles Sims was placed on injured reserve leaving the workload in the hands of third-stringer Jacquizz Rodgers. Rodgers had another huge game against the 49ers, but he’s not built like an every down back and the punishment will take its toll in a less effective run game.
Key Stat
The Raiders have entered the red zone 20 times this season and they’ve come away with points every time. Not all that surprising considering they have one of the best kickers in the game, but Sebastian Janikowski has finished most of those drives with a point after try. The Raiders converted three of five red zone trips into touchdowns against the Jaguars on Sunday and saw their overall touchdown percentage take a slight dip.
Oakland has scored 16 touchdowns in its 20 trips for a league best 80 percent touchdown efficiency on its red zone trips. With Janikowski adding field goals on the other four tries, the Raiders have been automatic coming away with points. But scoring six is a big reason why they are 5-2. Settling for three points instead of six could have cost them the game at New Orleans, or the game at Baltimore, or perhaps the game against San Diego, too.
Free ATS Pick
Two teams that have been spinning their wheels for many seasons actually play a meaningful game in the middle of the season. The Raiders could be in a trap when they visit the Buccaneers, though. Oakland is in first place in the AFC West and has a home date with the Broncos up next followed by their bye. In the meantime, the Raiders will spend the week basking in the Florida sunshine following their win over the Jaguars and I doubt Jack Del Rio will impose a curfew. And let’s not forget that this is unfamiliar territory for them and a lot will come of how they handle themselves.
Tampa Bay got back to even with a dismantling of the 49ers in a game that saw the Bucs respond after falling behind 14-0 early. It was the kind of scenario where the old Bucs would have crumbled, so I guess it’s a sign that maybe they are growing up. A pair of potential stars will handle the quarterback chores and this could be the most exciting game of the week. The Raiders haven’t lost on the road and the Bucs have yet to get a home win. I don’t trust the Raiders just yet, they are still inconsistent and shutting down the Jags doesn’t mean their defense has turned the corner. Jameis Winston and the Bucs shredded the Niners and they’re likely to put up big numbers again. The total is up there, but these teams feed of their offense. Look for the Bucs to finally get that home win while the teams play above the total.
NFL Odds: Buccaneers 30, Raiders 27
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