The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are starting to look like the Super Bowl contenders they were expected to be when they signed Tom Brady. That should continue in Week 7, when Tampa Bay visits the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday Night Football.

The Bucs are favored by three points in Las Vegas, according to odds compiled by OddsShark. The over/under is 53.5.

Tampa Bay is coming off one of the most impressive victories of the 2020 NFL season, blowing out the previously undefeated Green Bay Packers 38-10. Brady outplayed Aaron Rodgers, though it was the Bucs’ defense that led the way.

Rodgers entered the game with a 128.4 passer rating, 13 touchdowns, no interceptions and an average of 303.5 yards per contest. The two-time MVP completed less than half of his attempts for 160 yards, no touchdowns and two picks against Tampa Bay.

That doesn’t bode well for the Raiders and Derek Carr, who is coming off an impressive performance in a win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Las Vegas improved its record to 3-2 as the quarterback threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns in a 40-32 victory.

Putting up big numbers after the team’s bye will be much more difficult.

Tampa Bay has the NFL’s best defense. The unit ranks first in yards allowed and opponents’ yards per play. The Bucs have surrendered an 82.1 passer rating.

Even if Carr does find some success, Brady should be able to match him. The Raiders’ best defensive performance was a 34-24 win over the New Orleans Saints. Las Vegas has given up at least 30 points in every other contest.

The Raiders rank 30th opponents’ yards per play.

Don’t expect Josh Jacobs and Las Vegas’ rushing attack to be a major factor. The Bucs are first against the run in both yards allowed per game (64.3) and per attempt (3.0). Jacobs is only averaging 3.6 yards per carry.

Tampa Bay’s offense is rounding into form. The Bucs have scored at least 28 points in four of their last five games. Their only misstep came on a short week with a banged-up receiving corps against a good Chicago Bears’ defense.

Rob Gronkowski is coming off his best game of the season with five catches for 78 yards against the Packers. Chris Godwin is back from injury and Mike Evans is getting healthier.

The Buccaneers lead the NFC with a plus-55 point differential. The Raiders have been outscored by one point in five games.

Prediction: Tampa Bay over Las Vegas, 31-20

Tom Brady Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the offense take the field before the star of a game against the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium on October 18, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
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