Matchups to Watch: Oakland Raiders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With an opportunity to move to 6-2 on the season, the Oakland Raiders finish their Florida road trip with a Week 8 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Here are four matchups to watch.

At the end of their two-game stint in the Sunshine state, the Oakland Raiders can move to 6-2 (and 5-0 on the road) with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If Oakland is going to make that happen, they’ll have to win key individual matchups. Here are four to watch.

Oct 10, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) lines up during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Bucs defeated the Panthers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Smith vs. Mike Evans

The duo of Amerson and Smith did a great job last week of covering Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, keeping them from taking over the game. This week the duo faces a similar challenge with Mike Evans.

I expect Smith — the slightly bulkier of the two CBs — to draw the majority of the coverage against the 6’5” 225 pound Evans. Smith stands 6’3” and 215 pounds — big for a cornerback — but he still gives up size to the monster Evans. Smith is very talented and while the start of his Raiders debut has been less than phenomenal, he still possesses the talent to lock down Evans.

Evans is having an All-Pro caliber season in Tampa. The third-year receiver has already collected 40 catches for 545 yards and 6 TDs. Respectively, Evans is T-6, 10th and T-1st in each of those stats this season.

What makes Evans so dangerous is he has the speed to blow the top off of the defense while also having the size and leaping ability to give him a massive catching radius. He can catch a 40-yard bomb on one play and come down with a jump ball in the end zone on the next. Evans has a knack for coming down with 50/50 balls and he may be the Bucs’ best true playmaker.

Evans is certainly a force, but his play and advantages with size can be somewhat neutralized by Smith. Both are great athletes for their size, although Evans has the edge. Smith will likely need some help with Evans but the matchup should be hard fought, and it will certainly have a huge impact on the outcome of the game.

Oct 10, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Jacquizz Rodgers (32) carries the ball against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Karl Joseph vs. Jacquizz Rodgers

After a slow start to the season that kept rookie safety Karl Joseph on the bench, he has provided a spark to the Raiders defense ever since he took over the starting job.

The hard-hitting, rangy rookie will ultimately become a cornerstone of the defense. Joseph is listed at 5’10” but he looks closer to 5’8”, but regardless of his slight stature, he is certainly capable of leveling a big hit on just about anyone in the league.

Jacquizz Rodgers is also a highlight reel in a small package standing at only 5’6”, but he is capable of taking over games at times. The former Oregon State RB had over 150 yards rushing last week against the 49ers worst ranked rushing defense, and over 100 yards the game before that. Now gets the chance to play against another poor run defense at home against Oakland.

While both athletes are on the smaller side, their impact on Sunday’s game will be anything but small. Rodgers is quick and shifty and as a RB he has all the tools. Joseph will have to be quick to fill gaps and cover Rodgers out of the backfield. Expect to see a lot heavy personnel groups (21, 22 etc.) to try to occupy defenders. Meaning Joseph and Rodgers should meet frequently.

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) gets the crowd pumped up against the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Los Angeles Rams defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 37-32. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Kelechi Osemele vs. Gerald McCoy

Kelechi Osemele has been one of the best players on the Raiders this season, leading the offensive line as a road-grader that makes more pancakes than an IHOP.

Osemele is the epitome of a Raider, playing with a mean streak that is contagious to the rest of the offense. He has been playing like an All-Pro and he will need to keep it up on Sunday.

Gerald McCoy is one of the best DTs in the NFL. He is a consistent force defensively that can stuff the run and wreak havoc as a pass rusher. McCoy leads the Bucs in sacks, and now has 38 for his career. He has been a cornerstone for the Bucs and is likely the best player on their team.

McCoy plays “3 technique”, which means that he lines up between the tackle and guard, with the side often being determined by the strength of the formation (3 technique on the strong side).

That means that McCoy will line up against Gabe Jackson at times, but look for Oakland to create the strong side on the left because they like to run behind Donald Penn and Kelechi Osemele. Making Osemele vs. McCoy and important matchup to watch.

October 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tackle Donald Penn (72) blocks Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Frank Zombo (51) during the second quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Donald Penn vs. Robert Ayers

This week will be a revenge game of sorts for Donald Penn, who came out this week stating that returning to Tampa is certainly on his mind. Penn was cut by the Bucs in 2014 when the team tried to replace him with Anthony Collins — a perceived upgrade that was a disaster in hindsight. Penn has since proven the Bucs wrong, and looks to give them a live show on Sunday.

Robert Ayers is questionable for Sunday, but the Bucs could use him to try to get after Derek Carr. Ayers came to Tampa Bay this offseason via a big deal just shy of $20M over three seasons. Ayers has been injured much of the season and thus has only recorded one sack, but over his career he has 27.5. Ayers is competent pass rusher and the Bucs will need all the help that they can get generating a pass rush.

Penn will once again look to show the Bucs that loyalty can be more valuable than going after free agent studs. Nothing would more satisfying for Penn than to show Tampa Bay that not only is he better than his replacement (who was ultimately released), but that he is also good enough to shut down their new stud pass rusher as well.