Buccaneers (7-3) @ Ravens (7-3)

[55]

Ravens are a 7.5 point favorite and the over/under is 41 points.

Both of these teams absolutely destroyed their respective opponents on the road last week and have a lot of momentum going into this game. I see one of two things happening in this game:

1- The Ravens win in a rout.

Or...

2- The Bucs win a close game.

Since the Bucs are 8-2 against the spread this year I'm going to take the 7.5 points and also bet the under in this one. Either way, this is a HUGE game and means a lot to both teams in terms of the playoff races in both conferences. I definitely don't expect the Bucs to win this game, but if they do pull this off perhaps more people will start giving them some credit. However, if they get blown out then all the naysayers will be validated.

8-3 or bust!

[55]

Re: Buccaneers (7-3) @ Ravens (7-3)

Just heard Mike Williams will receive a fine from the team instead of missing any playing time.

[GATESopenRIVERSflow]

Re: Buccaneers (7-3) @ Ravens (7-3)

Bucs seem legit this season, I like the upset. I don't like or dislike Joe Flacco, but I just don't think he's that good.

[Evan_OS]

Re: Buccaneers (7-3) @ Ravens (7-3)

I have yet to be completely sold on the Bucs. Like the OP said, either a Ravens rout or Tampa makes it interesting. I'll be picking the Ravens to be throwing the beat down, 33-14.

[TheShizNo1]

Re: Buccaneers (7-3) @ Ravens (7-3)

I feel good about this one..........

[seriousluboy83]

Re: Buccaneers (7-3) @ Ravens (7-3)

ugh i get so sick of ppl talking mess about a team they dont even watch play...in this game if we play like coach rah always says...smart,hard,fast, and consistent we have a great chance of winning...thats why they strap on the pads...if we play like we should it will be a good game period

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Buccaneers (7-3) @ Ravens (7-3)

Go Ravens.

[MagicBucsWsoxFan]

Re: Buccaneers (7-3) @ Ravens (7-3)

We have a chance if we can force some turnovers on defense because I just dont see our offense moving the ball down field with consistency against this defense in Baltimore.

Then again, they've continued to shock me all season....

Bucs 23
Ravens 20 f/ot

[elgreazy1]

Re: Buccaneers (7-3) @ Ravens (7-3)

Yet another game I'd love to watch but instead it'll be regional action. Ugh.

[Senator Palmer]

Re: Buccaneers (7-3) @ Ravens (7-3)

The Bucs defense is annoyingly good. The don't do anything particular eye-popping, don't have any players that really jump out at you, although Talib is coming, but their parts just work so good together. I like that matchup against the Baltimore offense. There is veteran guile in the Baltimore receiving corp, but not much speed. I think the Bucs will be able to keep everything in front of the them and frustrate that offense.

Where I don't like the matchup is against the run. The Bucs can be pushed around up front. BUT, they've been pretty good the last few weeks. Gore didn't have much room to work and the Baltimore offensive line, while superior in talent, hasn't been as devastating this year as I think the are capable of.

Flacco should be able to pick apart the Bucs, but you just never know how he is going to start. If he is hot early, then I think it could get ugly. If not, the Bucs will hang around, and could steal this one.

Offensively, I think the Bucs receivers match up well against the Ravens' secondary. Not because of a particularly great corp. -- although Mike Williams is a terror -- but because I simply don't like that Raven secondary that sports names like Chris Carr and Josh Wilson. If Benn or Spurlock find some work to take some attention away from Williams, then they will be able to give the Ravens fits. Reed is always the wild card, but if Freeman has his wits about him, and there's no reason to think he won't with his play this year, he should be able to keep the Ravens defense off balance and maybe give them a little bit of room to run. Probably not, but maybe.

On passing downs I want to see how the Ravens pressure. This is where Suggs has to be the difference maker.

The Ravens aren't as scary as they used to be (same goes for every other team this year), and I don't think the Bucs will be intimidated. It's going to come down to how well the Baltimore secondary holds up. M&T Bank is an incredibly tough place to play, though; that's the only out-and-out advantage I see for the Ravens who I THINK will be able to edge this one out.

[55]

Re: Buccaneers (7-3) @ Ravens (7-3)

The Baltimore defense is still solid, but it isn't what it used to be either. The Bucs have a better pass defense (#6 in the NFL) themselves this year. Baltimore is ranked #9 against the run and #10 against the pass. Both are solid, but neither one strikes fear into the hearts of their opponents like they used to. However, the Ravens offense is the best it ever has been this year in terms of all the weapons they have there now. Tampa Bay needs to key in on Rice and try to take him out of the game like they did to Gore last week (12 carries for 23 yards) and they have a good shot at pulling out a close one.

[Vaporub83]

Re: Buccaneers (7-3) @ Ravens (7-3)

The Bucs have a huge advantage going into this game. They have just watched a familiar opponent frustrate Flacco(very overrated). Flacco can't move very well so the blitz will be prevalent. Baltimore has more weapons on offense than ever before. Baltimore is the same team as Cincy, the only difference the Ravens make splash plays on D and special teams.

[55]

Re: Buccaneers (7-3) @ Ravens (7-3)

Baltimore is the same team as Cincy, the only difference the Ravens make splash plays on D and special teams.

I wouldn't go as far as to say that. Carson Palmer has been downright awful for the most part whereas Flacco can make pretty much all the throws required in the NFL. I have seen some passes from him that have blown my mind this year.

[Senator Palmer]

Re: Buccaneers (7-3) @ Ravens (7-3)

The Bucs have a huge advantage going into this game. They have just watched a familiar opponent frustrate Flacco(very overrated). Flacco can't move very well so the blitz will be prevalent. Baltimore has more weapons on offense than ever before. Baltimore is the same team as Cincy, the only difference the Ravens make splash plays on D and special teams.

I have seen a lot of momentum going towards the Bucs in people's picks. I personally don't see the huge advantage, so I guess I'm missing something.

I really don't see the Ravens as the same team as the Bengals this year. Deep veteran laden receiving corp, that's about it. Just curious what you are seeing.

[SteelersFreak]

Re: Buccaneers (7-3) @ Ravens (7-3)

Tampa shocks the world and beats Baltimore by two touchdowns...

Tampa - 21
Baltimore - 7