Game story
In Week 17 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-12-28, the Las Vegas Raiders took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 31–24 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Garcia (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with +4.62 total EPA, and -0.9% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, M. Clayton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.46 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-35.3% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Las Vegas Raiders changed the game: (12:25) 2-J.Russell pass deep right intended for 80-Z.Miller INTERCEPTED by 21-S.Piscitelli at TB 5. 21-S.Piscitelli to LV 11 for 84 yards (2-J.Russell).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Raiders | 14 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Clayton · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +8.46 total EPA · 2 snaps · +4.23 EPA/play
- 2 M. Bush · Las Vegas Raiders · Rushing · +6.26 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
- 3 C. Schilens · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +6.10 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.03 EPA/play
- 4 J. Garcia · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +4.62 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
- 5 A. Bryant · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.55 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.52 EPA/play
- 6 J. Higgins · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +3.92 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
- 7 Z. Miller · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +3.68 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.84 EPA/play
- 8 I. Hilliard · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.39 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.70 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
M. Clayton — TB · Receiving
M. Clayton posted the highest total EPA (+8.46) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Tampa Bay Buccaneers's efficiency. Across 2 counted snaps, they averaged +4.23 EPA per play.
The signature play (-8.76 EPA) came from Las Vegas Raiders: (12:25) 2-J.Russell pass deep right intended for 80-Z.Miller INTERCEPTED by 21-S.Piscitelli at TB 5. 21-S.Piscitelli to LV 11 for 84 yards (2-J.Russell).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Las Vegas Raiders — M. Bush
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Williams
- Las Vegas Raiders — C. Schilens (J. Russell pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Clayton (J. Garcia pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Williams
- Las Vegas Raiders — J. Higgins (J. Russell pass)
- Las Vegas Raiders — M. Bush
Field goals
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Bryant
- Las Vegas Raiders — S. Janikowski
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Las Vegas Raiders won the period 14–7. Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the TB 4 (Q2 40:44) — (10:44) 29-M.Bush right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q2 40:36) — (Kick formation) 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the LV 9 (Q2 35:45) — (5:45) 24-C.Williams left tackle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q2 35:38) — (Kick formation) 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the TB 3 (Q2 30:35) — (:35) 2-J.Russell pass short middle to 81-C.Schilens for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN [90-G.Adams].; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q2 30:30) — (Kick formation) 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler..
The third quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the LV 58 (Q3 25:14) — (10:14) (Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass deep left to 80-M.Clayton for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q3 25:03) — (Kick formation) 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell..
The fourth quarter: Las Vegas Raiders won the period 17–10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the LV 11 (Q4 14:56) — (14:56) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the LV 8 (Q4 11:35) — (11:35) 24-C.Williams left end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q4 11:27) — (Kick formation) 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the TB 12 (Q4 10:00) — (10:00) 2-J.Russell pass short left to 15-J.Higgins for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q4 9:53) — (Kick formation) 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the TB 67 (Q4 7:16) — (7:16) 29-M.Bush right end for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q4 7:03) — (Kick formation) 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Las Vegas Raiders connected on a field goal from the TB 7 (Q4 1:13) — (1:13) (Field Goal formation) 11-S.Janikowski 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Las Vegas Raiders (Q4 12:25) — (12:25) 2-J.Russell pass deep right intended for 80-Z.Miller INTERCEPTED by 21-S.Piscitelli at TB 5. 21-S.Piscitelli to LV 11 for 84 yards (2-J.Russell).
- Las Vegas Raiders (Q4 7:16) — (7:16) 29-M.Bush right end for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 25:14) — (10:14) (Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass deep left to 80-M.Clayton for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 7:22) — (7:22) (Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass incomplete short left to 80-M.Clayton.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 7:03) — (7:03) (Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass deep left intended for 89-A.Bryant INTERCEPTED by 27-R.Baker at LV 42. 27-R.Baker ran ob at LV 42 for no gain. Tampa Bay challenged the pass completion ruling, and the
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Las Vegas Raiders (Q4 12:25) — (12:25) 2-J.Russell pass deep right intended for 80-Z.Miller INTERCEPTED by 21-S.Piscitelli at TB 5. 21-S.Piscitelli to LV 11 for 84 yards (2-J.Russell).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 25:14) — (10:14) (Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass deep left to 80-M.Clayton for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Las Vegas Raiders (Q4 7:16) — (7:16) 29-M.Bush right end for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Las Vegas Raiders (Q4 10:10) — (10:10) 29-M.Bush pass incomplete deep left to 19-T.Watkins (26-W.Allen). PENALTY on TB-26-W.Allen, Defensive Pass Interference, 43 yards, enforced at LV 45 - No Play.
Quarterback report card
J.Garcia led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Garcia (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 36 dropbacks · 47.2% completion · -0.9% CPOE · +0.13 EPA/play · +4.62 total EPA
- J.Russell (Las Vegas Raiders) · 23 dropbacks · 60.9% completion · +22.0% CPOE · +0.03 EPA/play · +0.75 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Las Vegas Raiders | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.144 | +0.018 |
| Offensive success rate | 48.1% | 40.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.155 | +0.128 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.078 | +0.010 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.018 | -0.144 |
| Defensive success rate | 59.5% | 51.9% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Las Vegas Raiders generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.14 vs +0.02), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Las Vegas Raiders: 12 drives, +11.34 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 13 drives, +1.40 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Las Vegas Raiders leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- M. Clayton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- J. Russell (LV) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q2 40:44 · TB 4 · Score 6-0
(10:44) 29-M.Bush right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q2 40:36 · TB 2 · Score 7-0
(Kick formation) 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 35:45 · LV 9 · Score 7-6
(5:45) 24-C.Williams left tackle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 35:38 · LV 2 · Score 7-7
(Kick formation) 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell. - Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q2 30:35 · TB 3 · Score 13-7
(:35) 2-J.Russell pass short middle to 81-C.Schilens for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN [90-G.Adams]. - Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q2 30:30 · TB 2 · Score 14-7
(Kick formation) 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 25:14 · LV 58 · Score 14-13
(10:14) (Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass deep left to 80-M.Clayton for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 25:03 · LV 2 · Score 14-14
(Kick formation) 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 14:56 · LV 11 · Score 14-17
(14:56) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 11:35 · LV 8 · Score 14-23
(11:35) 24-C.Williams left end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 11:27 · LV 2 · Score 14-24
(Kick formation) 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell. - Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q4 10:00 · TB 12 · Score 20-24
(10:00) 2-J.Russell pass short left to 15-J.Higgins for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q4 9:53 · TB 2 · Score 21-24
(Kick formation) 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q4 7:16 · TB 67 · Score 27-24
(7:16) 29-M.Bush right end for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q4 7:03 · TB 2 · Score 28-24
(Kick formation) 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - Las Vegas Raiders FG (+3) — Q4 1:13 · TB 7 · Score 31-24
(1:13) (Field Goal formation) 11-S.Janikowski 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Las Vegas Raiders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The Las Vegas Raiders beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-24 in Week 17, 2008 on 2008-12-28.
What was the final score of Las Vegas Raiders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The final score was Las Vegas Raiders 31, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24 (LV 31-24 TB) in Week 17, 2008 on 2008-12-28.
What was the score by quarter in Las Vegas Raiders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Q2: Las Vegas Raiders 14, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7; Q3: Las Vegas Raiders 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7; Q4: Las Vegas Raiders 17, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10; Final: Las Vegas Raiders 31, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Las Vegas Raiders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Las Vegas Raiders touchdown — M. Bush (Q2 40:44) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — C. Williams (Q2 35:45) Las Vegas Raiders touchdown — C. Schilens (J. Russell pass) (Q2 30:35) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Clayton (J. Garcia pass) (Q3 25:14) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — C. Williams (Q4 11:35) Las Vegas Raiders touchdown — J. Higgins (J. Russell pass) (Q4 10:00) Las Vegas Raiders touchdown — M. Bush (Q4 7:16) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Bryant (Q4 14:56, 3 pts) Las Vegas Raiders field goal — S. Janikowski (Q4 1:13, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Las Vegas Raiders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
J. Garcia (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 47.2% completion, -0.9% CPOE, +0.13 EPA per dropback, +4.62 total passing EPA. J. Russell (Las Vegas Raiders), 60.9% completion, +22.0% CPOE, +0.03 EPA per dropback, +0.75 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Las Vegas Raiders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
M. Clayton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) led the game in total EPA with +8.46 on receiving plays. across 2 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-8.76 EPA): (12:25) 2-J.Russell pass deep right intended for 80-Z.Miller INTERCEPTED by 21-S.Piscitelli at TB 5. 21-S.Piscitelli to LV 11 for 84 yards (2-J.Russell).. The biggest win-probability swing was -35.3%.
Was Las Vegas Raiders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Las Vegas Raiders won 31-24 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Las Vegas Raiders
Entered 4-11 Now 5-11 W
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 9-6 Now 9-7 L
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