The matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Las Vegas Raiders might be one to circle for fantasy football players. Both teams have good offenses and struggling defenses. All the ingredients for a shootout are here, so it’s a good idea to figure out who is getting targets and carries in this game. Anyone getting in on the majority of plays here should be worth a start.
Buccaneers vs. Raiders Start Em’
Aiden O’Connell (Draft Kings Price $4.8K, FanDuel Price $6.7K)
If anyone is looking to save money starting a quarterback, Aiden O’Connell is worth a shout. In his previous game, O’Connell threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns, and that was against the Chief’s defense. He also has a clear connection with the one-man stat machine that is Brock Bowers. If they can get going, both of them will have great games.
Bucky Irving (Draft Kings Price $6.6K, FanDuel Price $7.7K)
Irving keeps getting more carries and his numbers only rise. Last week, he ran for 152 and a touchdown. Irving is slowly creeping into the discussion for top running backs in the NFC (even if Saquon Barkley holds that distinction pretty firmly). Any player who can afford Irving should be targeting him for the rest of the season.
Mike Evans (Draft Kings Price $7.2K, FanDuel Price $8.4K)
The fact that Chris Godwin is on injured reserve makes Evans even more of a must-have player. First of all, his production has been great since coming back from an injury of his own: 118 yards and a touchdown against the Panthers. More importantly, though, has been his target share: 12 targets in his last game. If he continues with that trend, his numbers will surely increase as well.
Buccaneers vs. Raiders Sit Em’
Alexander Mattison (Draft Kings Price $5.1K, FanDuel Price $5.7K)
There are too many things working against Mattison at this point to be a recommended start. He is coming off an ankle injury for one. His carries have gone down in every game for a four-game stretch. The game script also doesn’t look good for Mattison as it’s the Buccaneer’s game to lose.
Cade Otton (Draft Kings Price $4.4K, FanDuel Price $5.6K)
Otton simply hasn’t been having enough receptions to appear as a top tight end. He only had four receptions against the Panthers and only a single reception against the Giants the week prior. He should be getting more targets with Godwin out, but it looks like those targets are going to Mike Evans.
Sterling Shepard (Draft Kings Price $4K, FanDuel Price $5.4K)
Sterling Shepard isn’t a great start this week for almost all of the same reasons why Cade Otton isn’t. Mike Evans is set up for a big day, so Shepard will be the second option in terms of lost plays. He will likely catch a couple of first downs and be helpful for the team, but he won’t get enough numbers for a good fantasy day.
Buccaneers vs. Raiders Lock
Brock Bowers (Draft Kings Price $6.5K, FanDuel Price $8K)
It’s almost like Brock Bowers missed the memo where tight ends are having a down year production-wise. Is 140 yards day against the Chiefs was his fifth game where he went for 90+ yards. If the Chiefs’ defense cannot stop Bowers, it’s doubtful that the Buccaneer’s defense can.
Buccaneers vs. Raiders Fade
Rachaad White (Draft Kings Price $5.3K, FanDuel Price $6.2K)
As Bucky Irving’s role in this offense gets stronger, it’s only natural that Rachaad White’s role would fade. He can still manage to have a decent game here and there, like last week where he ran for 76 yards. The bottom line, though, is that he won’t get enough carries to be started in fantasy for the rest of the season.
