Raiders vs. Buccaneers 2016 picks and predictions: Experts give Oakland a slight edge

Derek Carr and the Oakland Raiders offense are clicking on all cylinders as they head to Tampa Bay for a Week 8 matchup against Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers.

Carr is orchestrating Oakland’s 11th-ranked offense with ease, and his receivers, Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, are wreaking havoc against opposing secondaries. The Raiders sit atop of the AFC West at 5-2.

On the other hand, the Raiders defense cannot stop a wet paper bag. Oakland’s defense is ranked last in the NFL, and it gives up 430.4 yards per game. Last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland’s defense only surrendered 344 yards, and let’s face it: Jacksonville is not that good this year.

Oakland’s offense will try to continue to light up the scoreboard against a Buccaneers team that is sitting at 3-3. Tampa Bay is coming off of a 34-17 victory against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7.

The Buccaneers have picked up two divisional victories over the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons this season. In fact, they are only a half-game back from the Falcons for the division lead.

This matchup between the Raiders and Buccaneers should be a high-scoring affair. Oakland averages 26.4 points per game to Tampa Bay’s 21.3. However, this game will come down to who can play better defense. Tampa Bay’s defense is ranked 13th in the NFL, but this unit has a habit of giving up too many points and yards to opposing offenses. This game should be interesting.

The experts aren’t in total agreement, but a slight edge goes to the Raiders. Of the eight members of ESPN’s panel who submitted their picks, five are going with the Raiders. Over at CBS Sports, five of their eight analysts believe the Raiders will pick up the victory.

Here at SB Nation, it’s a similar story.

Six of our 10 experts picked the Raiders to get a win on the road. The game is set for 1 p.m. ET and will air Sunday on CBS.