Raiders... 31, Buccaneers... 24
- Share via
TAMPA, FLA. — Oakland’s Michael Bush broke two tackles, rambled through a gaping hole in the right side of the defense and headed upfield to put a dagger in Tampa Bay’s slim playoff hopes.
The 245-pound third-string running back rushed for a career-high 177 yards and scored on a 67-yard fourth-quarter jaunt that helped the Raiders rally to end the Buccaneers’ season with a 31-24 victory.
Even with a win, the Buccaneers (9-7) would have needed help to make the playoffs and avoid one of the biggest collapses in franchise history. They were 9-3 and tied for first heading into December but finished with four consecutive losses.
The Raiders (5-11) overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to win for the second straight week.
JaMarcus Russell threw for 148 yards and two touchdowns for the Raiders.
Quoteworthy: “There’s disbelief. There’s shock. There’s emotions, I’m sure, that I can’t really describe.” -- Warrick Dunn, Buccaneers running back
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
