NUMBERS GAME
15: Tickets allotted to each player on the Buccaneers and Raiders for the game.
90: Tickets purchased by Buccaneers wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson.
HOW THEY MATCH UP
Raiders offense vs. Bucs defense
When these teams last played on Dec. 19, 1999, coach Jon Gruden’s Raiders ran roughshod over coach Tony Dungy’s Bucs 45-0, the worst loss in Tampa’s history.
The Raiders gained 262 yards rushing to the Bucs’ 34. Fumbles by Mike Alstott and quarterback Shaun King led to Raiders touchdowns. The Bucs still made it to the NFC title game while the Raiders finished 8-8.
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This is a perfect matchup: The Raiders have the No. 1 offense, No. 1 in passing, No. 2 in scoring, quarterbacked by league MVP Rich Gannon. The Bucs have the No. 1 defense, No. 1 against the pass, No. 1 against scoring led by the defensive player of the year, linebacker Derrick Brooks.
The Bucs led the league in interceptions; the Raiders led the league in lowest percentage of passes intercepted. The Raiders led the league in first downs; the Bucs led the league in allowing fewest first downs.
Both units are patient, waiting for mistakes. Defense usually prevails in these faceoffs, but little has gone to form this season. Both sides have been so consistent it’s hard to envision either of these units dominating the other.
EDGE: Bucs’ defense.
–Don Pierson
%% CATEGORY RAIDERS BUCS
Total yards 389.8 (1) 252.8 (1)
Scoring 28.1 (2) 12.2 (1)
Rushing 110.1 (17) 97.1 (6)
Passing 279.7 (1) 155.6 (1)
%%
KEY STAT
38: Takeaways by the Bucs’ defense, third best in the NFL. The Raiders’ offense had 19 giveaways, the fifth fewest in the league.
HISTORY LESSON
Raiders lead all-time series 4-1. (Home Team in CAPS)
1999: RAIDERS 45, Bucs 0
1996: BUCS 20, Raiders 17, OT
1993: RAIDERS 27, Bucs 20
1981: RAIDERS 18, Bucs 16
1976: RAIDERS 49, Bucs 16