The Week 14 matchup on December 8, 2024, between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium provided a compelling contest with notable individual performances. The Buccaneers ultimately secured a 28-13 victory, showcasing strong offensive efficiency in the air and a defense that capitalized on Raiders’ turnovers. This article will delve into the key player statistics from that game, highlighting top performers and analyzing the factors that contributed to the final score.
Quarterback Performances: Mayfield Shines, O’Connell Struggles
The quarterback play in this game told a significant part of the story. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield had a standout performance, demonstrating accuracy and playmaking ability. In contrast, Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell faced pressure and turnovers that hampered the Raiders’ offensive flow.
Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers):
Completions/Attempts: 18/29
Passing Yards: 295
Touchdowns: 3
Interceptions: 2
Quarterback Rating: A solid performance despite the two interceptions, Mayfield effectively moved the ball downfield and connected for crucial touchdowns. His 295 passing yards were a game-high, and his three touchdowns showcased his ability to finish drives.
Aidan O’Connell (Las Vegas Raiders):
Completions/Attempts: 11/19
Passing Yards: 104
Touchdowns: 0
Interceptions: 1
Quarterback Rating: O’Connell struggled to find rhythm and consistency throughout the game. His low passing yardage and interception indicate difficulties in moving the ball effectively through the air. He was eventually replaced by Desmond Ridder in the latter part of the game.
Desmond Ridder (Las Vegas Raiders):
Completions/Attempts: 12/18
Passing Yards: 101
Touchdowns: 0
Interceptions: 0
Quarterback Rating: While Ridder provided a slight spark, he couldn’t overcome the deficit. His statistics were modest, and he didn’t manage to lead the Raiders to any touchdowns.
What people were asking:
How many touchdowns did Baker Mayfield throw? Baker Mayfield threw for three touchdowns in the game.
What were the passing yards for both quarterbacks? Mayfield had 295 passing yards, while O’Connell had 104 and Ridder added 101 for the Raiders, totaling 205 passing yards for the Raiders’ quarterbacks.
Did either quarterback throw any interceptions? Yes, Baker Mayfield threw two interceptions, and Aidan O’Connell threw one.
Running Back Contributions: White Leads the Ground Game
The ground game saw Rachaad White of the Buccaneers emerge as the leading rusher, contributing significantly to their offensive output. The Raiders’ rushing attack, led by Sincere McCormick, provided some positive moments but couldn’t match the Buccaneers’ efficiency.
Rachaad White (Tampa Bay Buccaneers):
Rushing Attempts: 17
Rushing Yards: 90
Rushing Touchdowns: 1
White was a workhorse for the Buccaneers, consistently gaining yardage and finding the endzone for a rushing touchdown. His 90 rushing yards were crucial in maintaining offensive balance.
Sincere McCormick (Las Vegas Raiders):
Rushing Attempts: 15
Rushing Yards: 78
Rushing Touchdowns: 0
McCormick led the Raiders in rushing and provided some positive runs, but the Raiders struggled to consistently establish their ground game.
Other Notable Rushers:
Sean Tucker (Buccaneers): 3 attempts for 47 yards.
Aidan O’Connell (Raiders): 6 attempts for 6 yards and 1 rushing touchdown. This highlights a rare rushing touchdown from the Raiders’ quarterback.
What people were asking:
Who was the leading rusher in the game? Rachaad White of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the leading rusher with 90 yards.
Did any running backs score touchdowns? Rachaad White scored a rushing touchdown for the Buccaneers.
How effective was the Raiders’ running game? While Sincere McCormick had a decent yardage total, the Raiders’ running game as a whole didn’t consistently move the chains or provide the same impact as the Buccaneers’ ground attack.
Receiving Highlights: McMillan and Otton Lead Buccaneers, Mayer Paces Raiders
The Buccaneers’ passing game saw strong performances from multiple receivers, with Jalen McMillan and Cade Otton being key targets for Baker Mayfield. For the Raiders, tight end Michael Mayer was the leading receiver.
Jalen McMillan (Tampa Bay Buccaneers):
Receptions: 4
Receiving Yards: 59
Receiving Touchdowns: 2
McMillan had a breakout game, hauling in two touchdown passes, including a significant 29-yard score in the fourth quarter that helped seal the victory for the Buccaneers.
Cade Otton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers):
Receptions: 3
Receiving Yards: 70
Receiving Touchdowns: 0
Otton led the Buccaneers in receiving yards, providing a reliable target for Mayfield, including a crucial 44-yard reception that set up a touchdown.
Mike Evans (Tampa Bay Buccaneers):
Receptions: 4
Receiving Yards: 69
Receiving Touchdowns: 0
The veteran receiver continued to be a key part of the Buccaneers’ offense, providing consistent yardage.
Michael Mayer (Las Vegas Raiders):
Receptions: 7
Receiving Yards: 68
Receiving Touchdowns: 0
As the leading receiver for the Raiders, Mayer was a frequent target, but the Raiders struggled to turn those receptions into significant downfield gains or touchdowns.
Jakobi Meyers (Las Vegas Raiders):
Receptions: 7
Receiving Yards: 67
Receiving Touchdowns: 0
Meyers also had a high number of receptions but couldn’t find the endzone.
What people were asking:
Who were the leading receivers for both teams? Cade Otton led the Buccaneers with 70 receiving yards, and Michael Mayer led the Raiders with 68 receiving yards.
How many receiving touchdowns were scored? The Buccaneers had three receiving touchdowns, all thrown by Baker Mayfield (two to Jalen McMillan and one to Rachaad White). The Raiders did not have any receiving touchdowns.
Which tight ends had significant contributions? Cade Otton for the Buccaneers and Michael Mayer for the Raiders were both prominent in the receiving game for their respective teams.
Defensive Standouts and Turnovers: Buccaneers Capitalize
The Buccaneers’ defense played a crucial role in their victory, generating turnovers and applying pressure on the Raiders’ quarterbacks.
Key Defensive Performances (Tampa Bay Buccaneers):
Lavonte David (Linebacker): 7 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 fumble recovery. David was a disruptive force, contributing in multiple facets of the defense.
Tykee Smith (Safety): 1 interception. Smith’s interception stalled a Raiders’ drive and provided a crucial turnover.
Christian Izien (Safety): 1 tackle for loss. Izien made a key play to force a Raiders’ field goal attempt.
The Buccaneers’ defense as a whole recorded two interceptions and one fumble recovery, significantly hindering the Raiders’ offensive efforts.
Key Defensive Performances (Las Vegas Raiders):
K’Lavon Chaisson (Linebacker): 4 total tackles, 1 interception, 0.5 sack. Chaisson had a positive impact with an interception and a shared sack.
Tre’von Moehrig (Safety): 1 fumble recovery. Moehrig recovered a Baker Mayfield fumble.
Amari Burney (Linebacker): 1 sack. Burney managed to get pressure on Mayfield for a sack.
Despite generating one interception and one fumble recovery, the Raiders’ defense couldn’t consistently contain the Buccaneers’ offense.
What people were asking:
How many turnovers did each team have? The Buccaneers forced three turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble recovery), while the Raiders forced two turnovers (one interception, one fumble recovery). The Buccaneers’ ability to capitalize on these turnovers proved to be a significant factor in the game’s outcome.
Which defensive players had interceptions or sacks? For the Buccaneers, Tykee Smith had an interception, and Lavonte David recorded a sack. For the Raiders, K’Lavon Chaisson had an interception, and Amari Burney had a sack.
How did the defenses impact the game? The Buccaneers’ defense was more impactful, generating more turnovers and limiting the Raiders’ scoring opportunities.
Special Teams Highlights: Field Goals and Punting
The special teams units for both sides were relatively consistent, with field goals made and punts executed effectively.
Kicking:
Daniel Carlson (Raiders): 1/1 field goals.
Chase McLaughlin (Buccaneers): 4/4 extra points.
Punting:
AJ Cole (Raiders): Averaged 46.8 yards on 3 punts.
Jake Camarda (Buccaneers): Averaged 49.0 yards on 3 punts.
What people were asking:
Were there any missed field goals? No field goals were missed in this game.
How did the punters perform? Both punters had similar averages, effectively managing field position for their respective teams.
Overall Offensive and Defensive Statistics
A broader look at the overall team statistics further illustrates the Buccaneers’ offensive efficiency and the Raiders’ struggles:
Total Net Yards:
Raiders: 286
Buccaneers: 420
Passing Yards (Net):
Raiders: 195
Buccaneers: 268
Rushing Yards:
Raiders: 91
Buccaneers: 152
Turnovers:
Raiders: 2
Buccaneers: 3
Time of Possession:
Raiders: 31:30
Buccaneers: 28:30
These overall statistics highlight the Buccaneers’ offensive dominance in terms of yardage, both through the air and on the ground. While the Raiders controlled the time of possession slightly, they couldn’t translate that into points, partly due to the turnovers.
FAQs
How did Baker Mayfield perform in the game?
Baker Mayfield completed 18 of 29 passes for 295 yards, throwing three touchdowns and two interceptions. This performance tied his career high for touchdown passes in a single season with 28.
Who were the standout offensive players for the Buccaneers?
Rachaad White: Rushed 17 times for 90 yards and a touchdown; also caught a 5-yard touchdown pass.
Jalen McMillan: Recorded four receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns.
Cade Otton: Led the team with 70 receiving yards on three catches.
How did the Raiders’ quarterbacks perform?
Aidan O’Connell: Completed 11 of 19 passes for 104 yards with one interception before exiting due to injury.
Desmond Ridder: In relief, completed 12 of 18 passes for 101 yards.
Who were the top performers for the Raiders?
Sincere McCormick: Rushed 15 times for 78 yards.
Michael Mayer: Caught seven passes for 68 yards.
K’Lavon Chaisson: Recorded four tackles, one interception, and half a sack.
What were the key defensive plays in the game?
Lavonte David (Buccaneers): Notched seven tackles, one sack, and a fumble recovery.
Tykee Smith (Buccaneers): Made a crucial interception in the red zone during the third quarter.
How did the Buccaneers’ offense perform overall?
The Buccaneers amassed 420 total yards, with a balanced attack of 295 passing yards and 125 rushing yards. They scored touchdowns on their first two possessions and added two more in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
What was the time of possession for each team?
Raiders: 31 minutes and 30 seconds.
Buccaneers: 28 minutes and 30 seconds.
Were there any significant injuries during the game?
Aidan O’Connell (Raiders): Exited in the third quarter with a leg injury.
Antoine Winfield Jr. (Buccaneers): Left the game in the second quarter due to a knee injury.
To conclude
The player statistics from the December 8, 2024, matchup between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers clearly illustrate the key factors that contributed to the Buccaneers’ 28-13 victory. Baker Mayfield’s strong performance, coupled with a productive ground game led by Rachaad White and a defense that capitalized on Raiders’ turnovers, proved to be the difference-makers. While the Raiders had some individual bright spots, particularly from Michael Mayer and Sincere McCormick, they couldn’t overcome their quarterback’s struggles and the Buccaneers’ opportunistic defense. This game served as a testament to the importance of efficient quarterback play, a balanced offensive attack, and a defense that can generate crucial turnovers. For fans and analysts alike, these player statistics provide valuable insights into the flow and outcome of this Week 14 contest.
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