On December 8, 2024, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Las Vegas Raiders 28–13 at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay led early, held firm in the middle quarters, and finished strong with two late touchdowns. Baker Mayfield threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns, while Rachaad White powered the ground game with 152 team rushing yards for the Bucs (he had the bulk of them) and added a score. For Las Vegas, Aidan O’Connell and Desmond Ridder split quarterback duties; Sincere McCormick led the Raiders in rushing.
Score by Quarter
- Raiders: 0 10 0 3 = 13
- Buccaneers: 14 0 0 14 = 28
The pattern tells a simple story. Tampa Bay started fast, the middle of the game slowed, then the Bucs closed the door in the fourth quarter with two touchdowns.
Team Stats at a Glance
- Total offense: Bucs 420 yards; Raiders 286 yards.
- Rushing yards: Bucs 152; Raiders 91.
- Passing yards (net): Bucs 268; Raiders 195.
These numbers show Tampa Bay controlled the game on both the ground and through the air.
Key Player Stats
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W 28–13)
- QB Baker Mayfield: 18/29, 295 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT, sacked 4 times. He hit deep and intermediate throws and found the end zone three times.
- RB Rachaad White: 17 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD; plus receiving work. His runs kept drives alive and set up play-action.
- WR Jalen McMillan: 4 receptions, 59 yards, 2 TD. He was the red-zone and big-moment target late.
- WR Mike Evans: 4 receptions, 69 yards; still a chain mover down the sideline.
- TE Cade Otton: 3 receptions, 70 yards; helpful seam targets to change field position.
- Defense: Lavonte David (7 tackles, 1 sack) and Kaevon Merriweather (impact plays) stood out. Tampa’s front created pressure and key stops.
Las Vegas Raiders (L 13–28)
- QB Aidan O’Connell: 11/19, 104 yards, 1 INT; also a short rushing TD. He left the game hurt in the third quarter.
- QB Desmond Ridder: 12/18, 101 yards; helped move the ball but could not finish drives late.
- RB Sincere McCormick: 15 carries, 78 yards (5.2 per carry). He gave Las Vegas balance and a few explosive runs.
- TE Michael Mayer: 7 receptions, 68 yards; WR Jakobi Meyers: 7 for 67. Steady volume, but no touchdowns.
- S Tre’von Moehrig: Stuffed the stat sheet (8 total tackles, passes defended, pressure). He was one of the bright spots on defense.
How Tampa Bay Won
1) Early punch, late finish. The Bucs scored 14 in the first quarter and 14 more in the fourth. Those two bursts created the margin.
2) Balanced attack. With 152 rushing yards, Tampa Bay kept the Raiders off balance. That balance opened the passing windows Mayfield used for three touchdowns.
3) Situational defense. The Bucs’ defense limited big plays and won key downs. Veterans like Lavonte David led the way in the middle of the field.
Where the Raiders Fell Short
1) Red-zone and finishing issues. Las Vegas moved the ball at times but came away with only 13 points. Field goals and empty trips hurt.
2) Quarterback change. Aidan O’Connell left with an injury, and while Desmond Ridder kept drives alive, the offense lost rhythm.
3) Explosive plays allowed. Deep and intermediate throws to McMillan, Evans, and Otton tilted the field. The Bucs hit chunk gains that flipped momentum.
Drive-Changing Moments
- First-quarter surge: Tampa Bay’s two scores in the opening frame put the Raiders on the back foot. From there, Vegas chased the game.
- Fourth-quarter seal: Two Buccaneers touchdowns in the last quarter closed the door. The offense finished drives when it mattered most.
Box-Score Highlights You Should Know
- Passing leader: Baker Mayfield 295 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT.
- Rushing leader: Rachaad White 90 rushing yards (Tampa Bay team total 152).
- Receiving swing piece: Jalen McMillan 2 TD on 4 catches for 59 yards.
- Raiders ground spark: Sincere McCormick 78 yards on 15 carries (5.2 per carry).
- Team yardage: Bucs 420, Raiders 286. That gap captures the night in one line.
What the Neutral Numbers Say
Independent trackers also paint the same picture. Pro-Football-Reference logs the 28–13 result, the Bucs’ 420 total yards, and the Raiders’ 286 yards, right in line with the official box score. NFL.com lists the game page and downloadable game book, confirming the scoring by quarter and team totals. This cross-check shows the data is stable and trustworthy.
Context in the Season
This win moved Tampa Bay to 7–6 and into first place in the NFC South at the time. It was also part of a three-game win streak that changed their outlook in December. Wire reports after the game highlighted the division race, Mayfield’s three TDs, and strong production from White and McMillan. For Las Vegas, the loss kept a tough stretch going and raised health questions after O’Connell’s exit.
Final Thoughts
This game was simple to read: a fast start, a balanced Tampa offense, and timely defense. The Raiders had bright spots like McCormick’s running, Mayer’s volume, and Moehrig’s all-around play, but they could not answer Tampa Bay’s late push. If you enjoy clean, balanced football, this was a clear example.
For deeper study, you can read the full box score and play-by-play on ESPN, Pro-Football-Reference, the Raiders’ official site, and NFL.com. These are reliable, public sources that match on the key numbers.
FAQs
- Who won the game?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 28–13. - When was the game played?
December 8, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. - Who was the best player for the Bucs?
Baker Mayfield had 295 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. Rachaad White also had a strong day on the ground. - Who led the Raiders in rushing?
Sincere McCormick with 78 yards on 15 carries. - Which receiver scored the most touchdowns for Tampa Bay?
Jalen McMillan scored 2 receiving touchdowns. - Did the Raiders change quarterbacks?
Yes. Aidan O’Connell started but left hurt in the third quarter, and Desmond Ridder finished the game. - What were the total yards for each team?
Bucs 420; Raiders 286. - How did the scoring break down by quarter?
TB: 14 0 0 14; LV: 0 10 0 3. - Where can I see the full play-by-play and game book?
On NFL.com’s game page for Week 14, 2024. - Are these stats from trusted places?
Yes. The numbers come from ESPN’s box score, Pro-Football-Reference, NFL.com, and other postgame reports.
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