Let’s take a look at this matchup for Sunday

The Bucs were able to survive against the Carolina Panthers last week to improve their record to 6-6 and now face another test in the Las Vegas Raiders.

With Tampa Bay looking to keep it’s playoff hopes alive, we had a chat with Matt Holder of Silver and Black pride to get a closer look at Vegas and how this game may shake out.

1. The Raiders are coming off a tough loss against Kansas City. What went well for them in that game and is it something they could look to replicate this week?

“Aidan O’Connell came back from injury and played really well, his best game as a pro in fact. O’Connell threw for a career-high 340 yards and connected on five of his six deep passes for two explosive touchdowns. He also, wisely, targeted Brock Bowers early and often as Bowers also had a career/season-best 140 yards on the afternoon and one of those two deep scores.

Defensively, the Raiders were able to take advantage of the Chiefs’ weak offensive tackles. K’Lavon Chaisson was another player who had a career day with 1.5 sacks and several pressures. Chaisson was so good he got Wanya Morris benched, and I broke down his performance here if anyone wants to take a look. Of course, Maxx Crosby did his thing as per usual, too.

I think it will be harder for Las Vegas’ pass rush to have success this week against Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke, but the team is certainly hopeful O’Connell can replicate his performance. The only problem is that game-to-game consistency was his biggest issue last season, so it remains to be seen if that can happen.”

2. It has been a difficult season for Las Vegas. What are the main areas the team needs to improve upon in the offseason?

“Quarterback, quarterback and quarterback!

The Raiders hoped that O’Connell would beat out Gardner Minshew in training camp but the second-year pro regressed and didn’t look good this summer. That led to Minshew beginning the season as the starter and he held the offense back. Again, O’Connell played well last week but I still think the front office should invest its high draft pick in another passer, i.e. Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward.

Las Vegas could also use some help at wide receiver now that Davante Adams is gone and more reinforcements on the offensive line, but those two position groups have been playing better recently. Defensively, the unit was decimated by injuries this year, losing Malcolm Koonce before the season started and prized free agent signing Christian Wilkins five games into the campaign. So, the defensive line shouldn’t be too big of a priority in the offseason while the secondary could really use a No. 1 corner as Jack Jones has failed to live up to that role this season.”

3. When taking a look at this game, what is one positional matchup you are going to be keeping an eye on?

“Jackson Powers-Johnson vs. Vita Vea.

Powers-Johnson has played well since taking over at center about a month ago. The coaching staff had him at guard to begin the year and he was solid but moving back to his more natural position has really helped ignite the running game and clean up some pass protection issues. That being said, JPJ hasn’t faced an elite nose tackle like Vea so this Sunday will be a good measuring stick for the rookie.”

Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images

4. Finish this sentence, the Raiders upset the Bucs if __

“Last week repeats itself for both teams. As mentioned above, the Raiders and O’Connell played really well in Kansas City. They would have won the game had Daniel Carlson not missed three 50-plus-yard field goals and/or the miscommunication on the snap during the final drive didn’t happen. Meanwhile, the Bucs seemed to have an off week, narrowly beating the Panthers with an overtime field goal.”

5. How do you see this game shaking out and what is your score prediction?

“The Raiders haven’t won a game in two months and I think losing in heartbreaking fashion to a rival last week will have a carryover effect. Plus, the Bucs have more to play for now that they’re tied for the division lead, so I like Tampa Bay to cover the spread. I’ll go 24-13 Tampa.”