Buccaneers at Raiders: Keys to victory

We think the Las Vegas Raiders will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday (kickoff is at 1:05 p.m. PT), so let’s look at five keys for the Raiders:

Offensive line:
If things go as planned, the Raiders will have center Rodney Hudson, guard Gabe Jackson and Denzelle Good and left tackle Kolton Miller back at the facility Saturday and they will play. Sam Young will play for Trent Brown, who has tested positive for the coronavirus, at right tackle. The other four linemen have missed the entire week of practice.

It is going to be a challenge early in the game as they regain timing with quarterback Derek Carr. The rust should knock off after two or three series. But the start of the game will be critical.

Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Contain Ronald Jones:
The Tampa Bay running back quietly has been one of the better running backs in the NFL. He has rushed for more than 100 yards in three straight games. If he takes over, it will make life easier for quarterback Tom Brady to do his thing.

Get Josh Jacobs going:
The Buccaneers have allowed one 100-yard rusher since the start of the 2019 season. No other running back has gotten more than 75 yards in that time span. Christian McCaffrey’s 59 yards are the most Tampa Bay has surrendered on the ground by one rusher this season. If Jacobs can wore this defense down, it will go a long ways toward a Las Vegas win.

Keep the pressure up:
After showing virtually no pressure for the first quarter of the season, the Raiders’ pass-rush exploded in a Week 5 win at Kansas City and it was a big reason why the Raiders were victorious at Arrowhead Stadium for the first time in eight years. If the Raiders can keep it up, Brady could have a long day.

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The Ruggs factor:
The Raiders are 3-0 with Henry Ruggs III on the field and 0-2 without the rookie speed receiver. Can the Raiders keep it up? Ruggs only has six catches, but has he ever made a difference. The Raiders have to utilize him as much as possible in a game they may need to score a lot of points to win.