The NFL’s 2023 MVP Lamar Jackson is set to take the stage at Raymond James Stadium on Monday Night as the Baltimore Ravens come to town. He is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks the game has ever seen and is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable players to watch play the game. In 2024, it’s been nothing but the same for the 27-year old QB.
Since starting 0-2, this Baltimore team is on a four-game winning streak. Essentially reverting back to the team we saw in 2023, a team that finished with a 13-4 record. Last year’s Raven team was both offensively and defensively sound, but since losing defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to Seattle, Baltimore’s defense has shown they aren’t the same.
But that’s the defense, the focus for Todd Bowles and this Tampa Bay team will have to be stopping Baltimore’s offense. With the addition of running back Derrick Henry, the Ravens have the potential to be a great offense and clearly have championship aspirations. The team’s rushing attack was already one of the league’s best with just Jackson and company, but with the strength, speed and durability of Henry, Baltimore has already shown what they plan to do to team’s this year.
Wear The Defense Down
Baltimore can and will spread the ball through the air. With pass catchers like Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, the Ravens continue to show they don’t need an overly talented receiving room to be dominant. But their offensive philosophy thrives on their rushing attack opening up the passing game, and vice versa.
After halftime, you’d better be well conditioned. Because in the first half, Baltimore will wear you out. Physical play from their offensive lines, tight ends, even receivers aren’t by accident, forcing the defense to will their way to make plays and keep them guessing on who is getting the ball. But once the second half begins, the defense has to be up for the challenge of bringing down 6’3”, 247-pound physical specimen. Probably one of the toughest tasks in the league, taking down Henry is more than an individual effort.
Coach Todd Bowles should have a gameplan to not only stop Henry on the ground, but to suppress Lamar Jackson in his efforts to run the ball. We should see Jackson forced to push the ball downfield and trust his receivers. When Tampa Bay matched up against Jackson in 2022, they showed a solid mix of man and zone, keeping not only the QB but their entire team guessing in the first half. Things slipped away in the second half, as Jackson found escape routes for rushing yards and was in sync with his receivers.
This time around, it’ll be a very different test for the Bucs’ defense. It’s a game that has all signs pointing for it to be a high scoring affair, but if Tampa Bay can keep the rushing attack under wraps and force Baltimore to kick field goals instead of scoring touchdowns, they may walk away with a better defensive performance than anyone is anticipating.
Bucs (4-2) vs Ravens (4-2) Game Information
When: Monday, October 21st 2024
Where: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 - Joe Buck (Play-by-Play), Troy Aikman (Color Commentary), Laura Rutledge (Sideline)
ESPN 2 ManningCast - Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Bill Belichick, Guests TBA
Bucs Radio: 98Rock – Gene Deckerhoff (Play by Play), Dave Moore (Color), T.J. Rives (Reporter)
Spanish Radio: 96.1 Caliente – Carlos Bohorquez (Play by Play), Martín Gramática (Analyst), Santiago Gramatica (Sideline Reporter)
The NFL’s 2023 MVP Lamar Jackson is set to take the stage at Raymond James Stadium on Monday Night as the Baltimore Ravens come to town. He is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks the game has ever seen and is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable players to watch play the game. In 2024, it’s been nothing but the same for the 27-year old QB.
Since starting 0-2, this Baltimore team is on a four-game winning streak. Essentially reverting back to the team we saw in 2023, a team that finished with a 13-4 record. Last year’s Raven team was both offensively and defensively sound, but since losing defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to Seattle, Baltimore’s defense has shown they aren’t the same.
But that’s the defense, the focus for Todd Bowles and this Tampa Bay team will have to be stopping Baltimore’s offense. With the addition of running back Derrick Henry, the Ravens have the potential to be a great offense and clearly have championship aspirations. The team’s rushing attack was already one of the league’s best with just Jackson and company, but with the strength, speed and durability of Henry, Baltimore has already shown what they plan to do to team’s this year.
Wear The Defense Down
Baltimore can and will spread the ball through the air. With pass catchers like Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, the Ravens continue to show they don’t need an overly talented receiving room to be dominant. But their offensive philosophy thrives on their rushing attack opening up the passing game, and vice versa.
After halftime, you’d better be well conditioned. Because in the first half, Baltimore will wear you out. Physical play from their offensive lines, tight ends, even receivers aren’t by accident, forcing the defense to will their way to make plays and keep them guessing on who is getting the ball. But once the second half begins, the defense has to be up for the challenge of bringing down 6’3”, 247-pound physical specimen. Probably one of the toughest tasks in the league, taking down Henry is more than an individual effort.
Coach Todd Bowles should have a gameplan to not only stop Henry on the ground, but to suppress Lamar Jackson in his efforts to run the ball. We should see Jackson forced to push the ball downfield and trust his receivers. When Tampa Bay matched up against Jackson in 2022, they showed a solid mix of man and zone, keeping not only the QB but their entire team guessing in the first half. Things slipped away in the second half, as Jackson found escape routes for rushing yards and was in sync with his receivers.
This time around, it’ll be a very different test for the Bucs’ defense. It’s a game that has all signs pointing for it to be a high scoring affair, but if Tampa Bay can keep the rushing attack under wraps and force Baltimore to kick field goals instead of scoring touchdowns, they may walk away with a better defensive performance than anyone is anticipating.
Bucs (4-2) vs Ravens (4-2) Game Information
When: Monday, October 21st 2024
Where: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 - Joe Buck (Play-by-Play), Troy Aikman (Color Commentary), Laura Rutledge (Sideline)
ESPN 2 ManningCast - Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Bill Belichick, Guests TBA
Bucs Radio: 98Rock – Gene Deckerhoff (Play by Play), Dave Moore (Color), T.J. Rives (Reporter)
Spanish Radio: 96.1 Caliente – Carlos Bohorquez (Play by Play), Martín Gramática (Analyst), Santiago Gramatica (Sideline Reporter)
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