SCOUTING REPORT
Raiders run offense vs. Bucs run defense -- Buccaneers
The Raiders use RB Charlie Garner in a Marshall Faulk role in this offense. Garner had 273 touches this season, including 91 catches, and had almost as many receiving yards (941) as rushing yards (962). In the traditional sense, the Raiders eschew the run, but in a real sense, those short passes set up third-and-shorts for QB Rich Gannon. Though the Raiders don't emphasize the run, they had more yards and a better per-carry average (4.3 to 3.8) than the Bucs with the same number of rushes (414). Garner is a breakaway threat whenever he has the ball.
Key matchup: Raiders RG Frank Middleton vs. Bucs DT Warren Sapp. If the Raiders do try to run inside, they'll have to get Sapp blocked.
Stat to remember: 5.3 yards. Garner's rushing average this season.
Raiders pass offense vs. Bucs pass defense -- Raiders
Strength on strength, No. 1 passing game vs. the No. 1 pass defense. Oakland's receivers are a lot better than Philadelphia's, however, and the Bucs aren't going to shut down the Raiders' passing game the way they did the Eagles'. They can curtail it a bit if they cause confusion and disrupt Gannon's rhythm. But eventually, Gannon is going to find Jerry Rice, Tim Brown or Jerry Porter for a big play. With the best line in the NFL, Oakland isn't going to let DE Simeon Rice get to Gannon, even if it means a double team. Rice goes against LT Barry Sims. The Bucs are a cover-two team, but defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin has mixed in a fair amount of man-to-man with more blitzes this season.
Key matchup: Raiders WR Jerry Porter vs. Bucs CB Ronde Barber. Porter is Oakland's big-play threat and Barber is Tampa's best cover man.
Stat to remember: 31. Bucs' league-leading interception total.
Bucs run offense vs. Raiders run defense -- Raiders
The only way the Bucs will have success running the ball is if QB Brad Johnson is able to make big plays in the passing game. The Bucs were 28th in the league in rushing average (3.8 per carry) and the Raiders were fourth in run-defense average (also 3.8). That doesn't look promising for Tampa. But like Oakland, the Bucs use the short pass as a run. Michael Pittman was a poor-man's Charlie Garner for the Bucs with 59 catches. Tampa's offensive line averages just 304 pounds to the Raiders' defensive line of 295.
Key matchup: Bucs C Jeff Christy vs. Raiders DT Sam Adams. The Bucs can't get outside and Christy is their anchor in the middle.
Stat to remember: 6. Bucs' rushing touchdowns this season.
Bucs pass offense vs. Raiders pass defense -- Buccaneers
Johnson's pass protection has been markedly better the second half of the season. In his past eight games, or since the offensive line began to jell, Johnson has thrown for 18 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He is a smart quarterback who can take a pounding, but his lack of mobility makes him vulnerable. The Raiders' best pass rusher is defensive tackle Rod Coleman, who replaces Adams on passing downs. Coleman had 11 sacks in the regular season. The Bucs' receivers aren't very fast, but both Oakland cornerbacks, Charles Woodson and Tory James, suffered broken fibulas this season. WR Keyshawn Johnson needs a big game.
Key matchup: Raiders FS Rod Woodson vs. Bucs QB Brad Johnson. Woodson may have lost a step, but he makes up for it with anticipation.
Stat to remember: 8. Times Johnson has been sacked in his past eight games.
Special teams -- Buccaneers
If the game comes down to a field goal, either the Raiders' Sebastian Janikowski or the Bucs' Martin Gramatica is capable of hitting from long distance. The Bucs' Tom Tupa has the punting edge over Shane Leckler, primarily because the Raiders' coverage teams are terrible. They were last in the league covering kickoffs and next-to-last covering punts. Oakland's return teams are bad, too.
Key matchup: Stecker vs. Raiders' kick coverage team. Stecker broke a 67-yarder this season and that would mean field position.
Intangibles -- Raiders
The Bucs were sluggish after flying from Philadelphia to Tampa and on to San Diego in a matter of hours last week. It took awhile to get their legs back. The Raiders had a short flight down the coast after playing at home and should be rested. They appear to be motivated to make a statement to Bucs coach Jon Gruden, their coach the previous four years, but Gruden knows the Raiders' offensive personnel as well as anyone. Also spurring on the Raiders is the knowledge that salary cap implications will force roster changes next season. It could be the last stand for many of the them.
Coaching -- Buccaneers
Gruden and Bill Callahan worked side-by-side for seven years in Philadelphia and Oakland before Gruden bailed for the Bucs last February. They have a close friendship and coaching philosophy. Callahan proved a worthy successor to Gruden in Oakland, weathering an early four-game losing streak. Gruden's offense is just in the early stages in Tampa. Callahan is reaping the benefit of their work in Oakland.
Prediction -- Raiders
Coming off a very emotional win in Philadelphia and a cross-country flight, it may be difficult for the Bucs to match the level of intensity they achieved last week. They need to control the clock to keep the Raiders' offense off the field. Without a legitimate running game, that will be difficult. Raiders, 27-20.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
For the Raiders
1. WR Jerry Rice: The best receiver in history has another chance for glory. Expect him to play like the Hall of Famer he is.
2. LB Bill Romanowski: He gave the Raiders' defense an attitude this season. Look for him to make at least one big play.
3. K Sebastian Janikowski: The former first-round draft pick has finally achieved some consistency this season. Will it hold in the biggest game of his life?
For the Buccaneers
1. TE Ken Dilger: The Bucs' best receiving tight end should be an integral part of the offense tonight.
2. LB Derrick Brooks: The league's best defensive player must control the Raiders' Charlie Garner.
3. CB Brian Kelly: The fifth-year veteran was tested often this season and responded with eight interceptions.
STARTING LINEUPS
Raiders offense
WR 81 Tim Brown
LT 65 Barry Sims
LG 74 Matt Stinchcomb
C 63 Barret Robbins
RG 73 Frank Middleton
RT 72 Lincoln Kennedy
TE 88 Doug Jolley
WR 80 Jerry Rice
QB 12 Rich Gannon
FB 40 Jon Ritchie
RB 25 Charlie Garner
Bucs defense
LE 94 Greg Spires
DT 99 Warren Sapp
NT 91 Chartic Darby
RE 97 Simeon Rice
SLB 51 Alshermond Singleton
MLB 53 Shelton Quarles
WLB 55 Derrick Brooks
LCB 25 Brian Kelly
RCB 20 Ronde Barber
SS 47 John Lynch
FS 34 Dexter Jackson
Bucs offense
WR 19 Keyshawn Johnson
LT 72 Roman Oben
LG 71 Kerry Jenkins
C 62 Jeff Christy
RG 60 Cosey Coleman
RT 67 Kenyatta Walker
TE 85 Ken Dilger
WR 87 Keenan McCardell
QB 14 Brad Johnson
FB 40 Mike Alstott
RB 32 Michael Pittman
Raiders defense
LE 99 DeLawrence Grant
LT 95 Sam Adams
RT 97 John Parrella
RE 91 Regan Upshaw
SLB 53 Bill Romanowski
MLB 58 Napoleon Harris
WLB 50 Eric Barton
CB 24 Charles Woodson
CB 20 Tory James
SS 36 Derrick Gibson
FS 26 Rod Woodson
BREAK DOWN
Records
Raiders 13-5 Buccaneers 14-4
Line
Raiders by 3 1/2
Vs. spread
Raiders 12-6 Buccaneers 12-6
Series
Raiders lead 4-1
Last meeting
Raiders won, 45-0, on Dec. 19, 1999, at Oakland
NFL rankings
Raiders offense: Rush (18), pass (1), overall (1).
Raiders defense: Rush (3), pass (23), overall (11).
Buccaneers offense: Rush (27), pass (15), overall (24).
Buccaneers defense: Rush (5T), pass (1), overall (1).
Quick hits
Both teams are 1-1 against common opponents. The Bucs beat the Rams but lost to the Steelers. The Raiders won in Pittsburgh but lost at St. Louis.
Bucs are 5-7 in the postseason in franchise history, while Raiders are 25-17 (including 3-1 in Super Bowls).
Both teams recorded 43 sacks in the regular season, tied for sixth best.
Bucs' Derrick Brooks had four TDs on turnovers in 2002, the most in NFL history by a linebacker.
Raiders were one of five teams with fewer than 20 giveaways (19).
Injuries
RAIDERS: Out: TE Marcus Williams (ankle-injured reserve). Questionable: LB Eric Barton (leg); C Barret Robbins (foot); CB Charles Woodson (leg). Probable: CB Tory James (leg); S Rod Woodson (wrist).
BUCCANEERS: Probable: G Cosey Coleman (knee); DT Chartric Darby (calf); DE Ellis Wyms (ankle).