After the Bucs jumped out to a 14-0 lead, the offense, for whatever reason, seemed stuck in the mud. [read more]

The best rookie on the field today was the Bucs’ No. 23, not superstar tight end Brock Bowers.

So the Raiders came out of the halftime break today and marched on the Bucs to the tune of a 15-play drive that ate up about 10 minutes.

Joe was about ready to sprint to a toilet. [read more]

Flash poll posted at 8:56 p.m. Poll closed at 9:55 p.m.

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BY IRA KAUFMAN

As he reached for the Buc locker room door, with the Glazers lined up inside to greet him, YaYa Diaby spoke loud and clear for all to hear:

“First place, baby, first place.” [read more]

Not-so secret weapon.

Since Sean Tucker went nuts against the slimy Saints, running for 136 yards, the Bucs have put him on ice. [read more]

Bucs need him even more.

The dead flies are so thick Lavonte David has to wear boots. [read more]

Bucs channeled Raiders legend Al Davis.

Somewhere, Al Davis would be appalled at what has happened to his beloved Raiders. [read more]

Yeah, yeah, two touchdown catches today for rookie Jalen McMillan. That was sweet, though Todd Bowles wanted McMillan to take a knee on the late TD rather than score. [read more]

He did it! Todd Bowles pulled it off.

And Joe has to give a standing ovation. [read more]

Joe will dare say that Baker Mayfield is looking like a winner version of Jameis Winston in recent weeks, including today. [read more]

Came through when needed.

NFL coaches always talk about the next man up when players go down. Today, one could argue that was running back Rachaad White. [read more]

So this isn’t your 2023 Buccaneers.

This team is ready to punish defenses with brute force. [read more]

So it seems the Buccaneers have mastered the art of winning ugly.

And today Joe doesn’t give a crap! That’s a very sweet team trait in December. [read more]

Must-win game at The Licht House!

Comment all game long below with your Bucs fan brothers and sisters.

The Bucs could sit alone in first place after this one if they take care of business and the Falcons fall in Minnesota.

Go Bucs!

So Joe’s season-long record is 10-10 in Bucs-related picks after last Sunday’s bumpy ride against Carolina.

[read more]

So listeners to Friday’s Ira Kaufman Podcast heard The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports offer to bet any Bucs fan $20 that Tampa Bay will be alone atop the NFC South standings by dinnertime tonight. [read more]

No, Joe is not resurrecting the “Den of Depression” nickname for the Bucs’ home turf on Dale Mabry Highway, the cathedral now known pridefully as The Licht House. [read more]

Progression to the mean.

If you believe in the law of averages, then you likely are confident that Baker Mayfield will have a strong game today. [read more]

Star rookie TE Brock Bowers.

Joe has a hunch that Brock Bowers may as well be a wide receiver today because he’s likely going to get the most targets for the Raiders against the Bucs at The Licht House. [read more]

Bucky Irving makes Cody Mauch smile.

So in the past week, twice, Bucs running back sensation Bucky Irving, who isn’t fully comfortable dealing with the Tampa Bay pen and mic club, has pleaded with throngs of local media to instead pay more attention to the Bucs’ offensive line and to give them some love. [read more]

Game 13

Raiders (2-10) at Bucs (6-6)

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

TV: CBS (WTSP-TV Channel 10, locally) with Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta and Aditi Kinkhabwala.

[read more]