The Bucs take the lead in the NFC South and hand the Raiders their ninth straight loss

The Bucs take the lead in the NFC South and hand the Raiders their ninth straight loss

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Tampa Bay BuccaneersDec 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is pressured by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Rachaad White and Jalen McMillan each scored two touchdowns in the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 28-13 win on Sunday, extending the Las Vegas Raiders’ losing streak to nine.

Tampa Bay (7-6), which has won three straight, took first place in the NFC South, while the Atlanta Falcons (6-7) lost at the Minnesota Vikings.

The Bucs, who were locked out in the second and third quarters, finished with a 3-yard scoring run by White and a 29-yard touchdown catch by McMillan in the fourth quarter.

Las Vegas quarterback Aidan O’Connell was carted to the locker room with a blow to his right leg after being shoved from behind by Calijah Kancey with 1:23 left in the third.

O’Connell fled the pressure toward the right sideline when Kancey pushed him after the play. No penalty was imposed.

O’Connell, who completed 11 of 19 passes for 104 yards and one interception, was replaced by Desmond Ridder, who completed 12 of 18 passes for 101 yards.

Mayfield finished the game 18-for-29 passing for 295 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

White accumulated 109 all-purpose yards when Bucky Irving suffered a back injury early and did not return.

Sincere McCormick of the Raiders gained 78 yards on 15 carries.

Las Vegas stifled Tampa Bay’s offense after the first quarter until White’s 3-yard scoring run with 8:52 to play to make it 21-10.

Tampa Bay quickly set the tone with an 11-1 first down lead in the first quarter. The Bucs parlayed that dominance into touchdowns on their first two possessions, both on passes from Mayfield. McMillan worked his way wide open for a 15-yard score and a 7-0 lead and White added a 5-yard score for a 14-0 lead with 3:58 left in the quarter.

The Raiders changed the momentum early in the second quarter when linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson intercepted Mayfield. But O’Connell suffered his second blown snap in two weeks on the next play and the Bucs recovered at their 35-yard line.

However, Mayfield fumbled the ball and Las Vegas drove 44 yards to allow O’Connell a 1-yard scoring plunge. The Raiders reached the Bucs’ 6 on their next series, but had to settle for a 25-yard field goal from Daniel Carlson and a 14-10 halftime deficit.

The Raiders forced three turnovers in the first half, including an interception in the end zone in the closing seconds.

Bucs All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. left in the second quarter with a knee injury.

–Field level media

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