A frustrating display by the offense yesterday dropped the Ravens to 3-2 for the season. The road swing continues as they travel to sunny Tampa to face the Bucs (1-4).
Here’s what you need to know:
Talk about it here on the Message Board.
- The record my not show it yet but some feel that this team isn’t that far off from respectability. Yesterday Tampa lost a heartbreaker to the Saints in overtime 37-31 which saw the Buccaneers hurt their cause with 15 penalties for 113 yards, none more damaging than the flag on cornerback Johnthan Banks during the extra session for illegal hands to the face. This team is coming home angry that they couldn’t seal the deal and let a double digit lead slip away.
- There’s a common theme to how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have played in the last two games.It’s the play of second-year quarterback Mike Glennon who appears to have won the staring job and should keep even after incumbent Josh McCown returns from a thumb injury. Glennon completed 19 of 32 passes for 249 yards with two touchdowns and an interception during last game’s loss to New Orleans. He also helped the Bucs build an 11-point lead early in the fourth quarter that they unfortunately could not hold.
- Another reason why Glennon should feel safe with his job is the strong chemistry he exhibits with top receiver Vincent Jackson, who caught eight passes for 144 yards Sunday. Jackson had struggled the first few weeks finding the a similiar connection with the incoming McCown. Jackson leads the team with 21 catches.
- The Buccaneers haven’t the run the ball very well this season and some of that blame lies with the mediocre offensive line. Doug Martin returned from injury this past Sunday but couldn’t do much as he carried 14 times for 45 yards (3.2 ypc) and caught three of five targets for 29 yards in the loss. Martin is averaging 2.5 yards on 37 carries this season.
- The Bucs defense doesn’t appear that intimidating ranked among the bottom against the pass (30th) and better against the run (18th). But they do have players to take note of. Defensive Tackle Gerald McCoy has made the Pro Bowl each of the past two years and registered career highs of 50 tackles and 9.5 sacks last season before being named first-team All-Pro. McCoy is tied for the team lead in sacks with 2 with former Bengal Michael Johnson. Outside Linebacker Lavonte David was named a first-team All-Pro last year, even though he was somehow snubbed from the Pro Bowl. He is relentless on the field and lead the team in total tackles with 52.
2014 OVERALL NFL RANKINGS
PASSING YDS-205.0 (30th Overall)
RUSHING YDS-90.4 (24th Overall)
OPP PASSING YDS-292.2 (30th Overall)
OPP RUSHING YDS-120.2 (18th Overall)
Matt Jergensen
Matt has lived in Maryland his entire life and is a graduate of Calvert Hall and Towson University. has always been an avid Baltimore sports fan. Since 2007, he has been writing and talking about Baltimore sports, especially the Ravens. His work has appeared on Ravens Gab, Russell Street Report, and he currently co-hosts a podcast “The Blitz- A Ravens podcast” with Brent Harris.