Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 8th, 2024, 1:00PM ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Network: CBS
Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback
Aidan O’Connell: Sit, QB2
Aidan O’Connell held his own on Black Friday against the Chiefs, completing 23 of 35 attempts for 340 yards and two touchdowns. It was his first game back since Week 7 due to a thumb injury, and there is no doubt he will be playing for his future with the Raiders the rest of the way. That said, despite the enticing matchup against Tampa, a defense that is allowing the second most fantasy points to opposing QBs, there should be other streaming options for you to choose from over AOC.
Running Back
Alexander Mattison: Sit
Ameer Abdullah: Sit
Sincere McCormick: Sit
Despite the fact that the Tampa Bay defense is allowing the ninth most fantasy points to RBs on the season, the Vegas backfield is a crapshoot and not worth starting. Alexander Mattison and Zamir White both remain limited at practice, but neither offers real fantasy value in this offense. Ameer Abdullah has been relied on, but sans Week 12 where he posted 17.5 full-PPR points, he has not been a factor either. Add UDFA Sincere McCormick into the mix, who rushed for 64 yards on 12 carries in the loss to the Chiefs on Black Friday. He’s a speculative bench add at this stage in deep leagues, as the Raiders may opt to give him touches over the remainder of the season.
Wide Receiver
Jakobi Meyers: Start, WR2
Tre Tucker: Sit
Jakobi Meyers has been a target hog in recent weeks. Since Week 12, he’s totaled 26 targets, catching 16 passes for 218 yards. He hasn’t found the end zone since Week 8, which is a bummer, but he could be primed to find pay dirt this week against a Buccaneers defense that is allowing the sixth most fantasy points to WRs on the year. Last week, Carolina receivers Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, and David Moore tagged Tampa for a combined 192 yards on 17 receptions and a touchdown.
Despite scoring last week, Tre Tucker has not been a consistent option in this offense to warrant a spot in your lineup.
Tight End
Brock Bowers: Start, TE1
Have a Friday, Brock Bowers. The stud rookie TE torched the Chiefs’ leaky defense to the tune of 10 catches (14 targets) for 140 yards and a touchdown. He’s as locked-in a tight end as they come this season, ranking as the TE1 on the year per FantasyData. The Bucs offer another juicy matchup for Bowers, as they are allowing the sixth most points to opposing TE’s this season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: Start, QB1
Baker Mayfield had a down week to his 2024 standards last week against the Panthers. He completed 21 of 33 attempts for 235 yards and a touchdown but also threw two interceptions. It was his first game with a turnover since Week 8, where he also threw two picks against the Falcons. That said, this week has another plus matchup against the Raiders, a defense allowing the seventh most fantasy points to opposing QBs. Look for Mayfield to bounce back, as Tampa Bay needs to continue to stack wins with the NFC South standings as tight as they are.
Running Back
Bucky Irving: Start, RB2
Rachaad White: FLEX Option, RB3
Bucky Irving has truly come on in recent weeks, totaling 313 yards on 50 carries and three touchdowns since Week 10. Last week against Carolina, Irving had his best game as a pro, with 152 yards on the ground and 25 carries. What’s been even more important to note about his game has been the consistent pass-game work. In fact, looking at his season box score, he has caught 35 of 37 targets. Irving is firmly on the RB2 radar with RB1 upside, putting Rachaad White on the outside looking in as a FLEX-if-you-must option. He has become a TD-dependent ‘back in recent games, which doesn’t bode well for his ROS outlook.
Wide Receiver
Mike Evans: Start if active, WR2
Sterling Shepard: Sit
Jalen McMillan: Sit
Mike Evans had a day against Carolina, catching 8 of 12 targets for 118 yards and a touchdown. As long as he’s active, he will continue to be Mayfield’s number-one target, so you can continue to fire him up as a solid WR2. It’s worth noting that Evans was a DNP on Wednesday, as he is tending to the hamstring injury and now a calf. You’ll surely need to keep an eye out on his practice logs the rest of the week and see what Tampa Bay decides to do with their WR1.
Sterling Shepard was targeted seven times (he also saw seven targets the week prior against his former team in the Giants) and caught four of those looks for 42 scoreless yards. It’s hard to trust both him and rookie Jalen McMillan, and so they are both bench-worthy at best. If Evans were to miss this game, there is a path for either to be a FLEX if needed, but keep tabs on Evans’ status ahead of Sunday.
Tight End
Cade Otton: Start, TE1
Cade Otton had a plus matchup last week against the Panthers, but he only caught four of seven targets for 20 scoreless yards. He hasn’t found the end zone since Week 9 but could be in line for more targets if Evans were to miss this contest/remain banged up entering the game. Last week, the Raiders just allowed Travis Kelce and Noah Gray to total 126 yards on 11 receptions.
-Matthew Cava (@cavam_ Twitter & Reddit)