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SERIES HISTORY
The Raiders lead 4-2, including Super Bowl XXXVII.
THE LAST MEETING(S): Tampa Bay needed a victory to secure the team's fifth playoff berth, but left Oakland with the worst loss in franchise history, 45-0 in 1999. Bucs fans might prefer the most recent postseason meeting, a 48-21 victory in Super Bowl XXXVII in which the defense set Super Bowl records with five interceptions and three returned for touchdowns.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS: Quarterback Ken Stabler threw two touchdowns to lead eventual Super Bowl champion Oakland to a 49-16 victory over expansion Tampa Bay in 1976. ... In 1996, Michael Husted's 23-yard field goal in overtime gave the Bucs a 20-17 win in the teams' only meeting in Tampa.
STAT ATTACKDefense takes center stage as two of the best in the league meet. The Bucs rank third (236.5 ypg) and the Raiders fourth (240.0 ypg). The most intriguing matchup is Oakland's No. 7 pass offense (248.5 ypg) against Tampa Bay's No. 2 passing defense (125.5 ypg). Through two games, the Raiders defense has nine sacks and the Bucs offense has allowed nine.
PLAYERS TO WATCHBUCS: Known as Mr. Raider, receiver Tim Brown spent 16 seasons with Oakland before joining the Bucs in August. He'll no doubt want to show he still has what it takes. Benched early in the second quarter last weekend, quarterback Brad Johnson will look to lead the Bucs to their first offensive touchdown of the season. Gee, no pressure.
RAIDERS: Known as the face of the Tampa Bay franchise, defensive tackle Warren Sapp spent nine seasons with the Bucs before signing with the Raiders in the offseason. He'll no doubt want to show he still has what it takes. Receiver Jerry Rice, who failed to catch a pass last weekend for the first time in 275 games, will be looking to start a new streak with at least one catch.