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2024 Game Preview: Ravens-Buccaneers, Week 7

The Buccaneers will face the Ravens and their explosive rushing attack on Monday night in front of a national audience, as they try to maintain the momentum built during an emotional trip to New Orleans

preview

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are back at home after a long and emotional trip to New Orleans, and they are riding high after a 51-27 win over their bitter division rivals. Their next game, in front of a national audience on Monday night, will not be against a team in their division or conference, but it will be against a notorious NFC slayer.

The 4-2 Buccaneers take on the 4-2 Baltimore Ravens at Raymond James Stadium in Week Seven, and they will try to put a dent in one very remarkable ledger for the NFL's reigning MVP. Namely, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has a career mark of 22-1 against NFC teams in games he has started. Only the New York Giants from the older conference has managed to deal him an 'L.' Those 22 wins include two against the Buccaneers, 20-12 in 2018 and 27-22 in 2022, and while neither were blowouts, Jackson completed 41 of his 61 passes for 369 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a 99.7 passer rating while adding 138 yards on 27 runs.

But that's not the whole story. Since the last time the Buccaneers faced Jackson, the Ravens have added thunderous running back Derrick Henry, the long-time Tennessee Titan. The concept behind that addition in free agency this offseason was that the pairing of the powerful and fast Henry with the elusive Jackson in the backfield would create nightmarish decisions for opposing coordinators and defenders. So far, that concept has proved to be spot on. The Ravens' offense leads the NFL in a long list of categories, starting with – and flowing from – its 205.3 rushing yards per game.

That offense is being directed by former Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken, who once got to work with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and now has another embarrassment of riches to deploy.

"It's versatile," said Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Baltimore offense. "[Monken] can do a lot of things. He can do a lot of things. He's got Lamar, he's got Henry, he's got the receivers, he's got the tight ends, and he has a huge offensive line. They can beat you in a multitude of ways. They can pound you, they can beat you with speed, they can beat you over the top, they can beat you with quick stuff, they can beat you with across the field stuff. He's doing a heck of a job there. They've got a heck of a system.

"They're very good at [running the ball], but when you crowd up too much on that, then Lamar [Jackson] is a very good passer [and] they're going to throw the football. They've got a lot of speed on the outside, so we've got to be careful both ways."

Baltimore's defense is also ranked first against the run, allowing just 59.0 yards per game. That means that, on average, the Ravens are out-rushing their opponents by an outrageous 146 yards per contest. However, the Buccaneers have shown recently that they might be able to hang in that department, rushing for 433 yards over their last two outings, including 277 last Sunday in New Orleans. Rookie Bucky Irving continues to impress with his open-field moves, second-year back Sean Tucker turned his first real opportunity into a 136-yard game on the ground against the Saints and starter Rachaad White could return from his foot injury this week. If the Bucs can't keep that going, perhaps they can find success against Baltimore's 31st-ranked pass defense.

"Every week is a measuring stick for us," said Bowles. "You've got to win different ways – it's not going to always be running the football. We've got to find different ways to win."

The Buccaneers definitely won't be looking ahead on Monday night, as they will have their plates full with the task at hand. However, Week Eight will bring a visit from the Atlanta Falcons, who are also 4-2 heading into this weekend. The Bucs hope to stay at the top of what looks like it will be a tight division race, and a win over the challenging Ravens would be a big boost to those efforts.

GAME AND BROADCAST DETAILS

Baltimore Ravens (4-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2)

Monday, October 21, 8:15 p.m. ET

Raymond James Stadium (capacity: 65,844)

Tampa, Florida

Television: ESPN

TV Broadcast Team: Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (analyst), Lisa Salters (reporter)

Radio: 98Rock (WXTB, 97.9 FM), Flagship Station

Radio Broadcast Team: Gene Deckerhoff (play-by-play), Dave Moore (analyst), T.J. Rives (reporter)

Spanish Radio: 96.1 Caliente

Spanish Radio Broadcast Team: Carlos Bohorquez (play-by-play), Martin Gramática (analyst)

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Coming to the game or enjoying pregame festivities? Check out our Buccaneers Gameday Page for everything you need to know about getting ready for the game, Tailgate Packages, Bucs Beach and more!

TICKETING INFORMATION

The 2024 season is underway and there are a limited number of Single Game Tickets on sale now! Visit Buccaneers.com to purchase tickets.

ALL-TIME HEAD-TO-HEAD SERIES

On January 28, 2001, the Baltimore Ravens came to Raymond James Stadium (home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – and won the first Super Bowl championship in franchise history, rolling over the New York Giants, 34-7. On Sept. 15, 2002, the Buccaneers went to Ravens Stadium (home of the Ravens, you might surmise, and now called M&T Bank Stadium) and got the first victory in their run to the first Super Bowl championship in franchise history.

The Buccaneers and Ravens haven't met often – the only team Tampa Bay has played less frequently in the regular season is the Houston Texans – but they each have some pretty fond memories of the other's venue. There have also been some radically high and low notes for both sides despite how brief the series is. For instance, each team already has a shutout in their head-to-head log; in contrast, the Buccaneers have played the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints a combined 116 times and only three of those games have ended with one team failing to score. (It was the wrong team each time; don't ask for details.)

Overall, Baltimore leads the series, 5-2, winning five straight after the Buccaneers prevailed in the first two meetings in 2001 and 2002. This series includes what is tied for the third-longest touchdown of any kind in Buccaneers history, a 97-yard pick six that launched Derrick Brooks' 2002 NFL Defensive Player of the Year campaign. It also includes the largest halftime lead in Ravens annals, as Baltimore took a 38-0 advantage into halftime of an eventual 48-17 win in Tampa in October of 2014.

When the Buccaneers took the first road trip of their 2002 Super Bowl season, to Baltimore in Week Two, they visited the Ravens home just four days after Baltimore legend Johnny Unitas had passed away at the age of 69. The Ravens honored the former Colts quarterback in a pregame ceremony and painted his number 19 on the field where he used to stand. The actual quarterback on that day for Baltimore could hardly have been farther on the other end of the notoriety scale, as Chris Redman was making the first start of his NFL career (the first of just 12). He was the player victimized by Brooks' thievery, as the Bucs were able to hang on to a 25-0 shutout while allowing just 173 yards of offense.

It has been an interesting series for the quarterbacks, as a matter of fact. Elvis Grbac definitely didn't enjoy what would be the second-to-last start of his career when he faced a swarming Buccaneers defense in 2001, but Steve McNair, the long-time Oiler/Titan was enjoying a late-career renaissance when he led the Ravens to a whitewash of the Buccaneers five years later. Grbac was picked off twice and sacked five times in a 22-10 decision in '01 but McNair was on the right side of a 27-0 decision in 2006 when the Ravens picked off Chris Simms three times and only gave up 142 yards of offense and eight first downs.

The most recent game in the series was also played in Tampa in 2022, as part of the usual four-year scheduling rotation against the AFC divisions. (In contrast, this year's meeting is what is known as the "17th game" and it is a matchup of the first-place times in the NFC South and AFC North in 2023.) In a Week Eight matchup, the Ravens took a 17-10 lead into the fourth quarter but there were another 22 combined points scored in that final period as the Bucs tried to rally but ultimately fell short in a 27-22 decision. Tom Brady threw for 325 yards and a touchdown (to Julio Jones) but the Bucs were outgained on the ground, 231-44. Lamar Jackson threw a pair of touchdown passes and ran for 43 yards.

The most recent game in Baltimore was in 2018. It was closer than most of the others, with Baltimore holding on for a 20-12 win in which neither Jameis Winston nor Lamar Jackson provided many offensive fireworks.

NOTABLE CONNECTIONS

  • Todd Monken, who is in his second year as the Ravens' offensive coordinator, held that same position with the Buccaneers under Head Coach Dirk Koetter from 2016-18, while also coaching the wide receivers in the first two of those three years. In the last of those three seasons, the Buccaneers' offense ranked first in net passing yards and third in total yards.
  • Ben Bredeson, the Buccaneers' starting left guard, originally entered the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick by Baltimore in 2020. He played one season for the Ravens and got into 10 games before being trade to the New York Giants just before the start of the 2021 season. After four seasons with the Giants, Bredeson signed with the Buccaneers during the 2024 offseason.
  • Ravens QB Josh Johnson began his lengthy NFL career in Tampa. He was a fifth-round pick by Tampa Bay in the 2009 draft and he played three seasons for the Buccaneers, appearing in 26 games with five starts, four of which came in his rookie season.
  • Buccaneers Quarterbacks Coach Thaddeus Lewis was with the Ravens for a portion of the preseason in 2017 as a backup quarterback. He played in three preseason games and completed 11 of 16 passes for 86 yards.
  • Ravens Offensive Line Coach George Warhop, in his first year with the team, was the Buccaneers' offensive line coach from 2014-18, first holding that position under Head Coach Lovie Smith. He was then retained by Koetter for three more years and had run game coordinator responsibilities added for that stretch.
  • Baltimore Offensive Assistant Coach Danny Breyer was also on Koetter's staff in Tampa from 2016-18, beginning as an analytics assistant before being promoted to defensive assistant coach in his second year.

View the top photos of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' regular season Week 6 game vs. the New Orleans Saints

SENIOR COACHING STAFFS

Tampa Bay:

  • Head Coach Todd Bowles
  • Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen
  • Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Kacy Rodgers
  • Pass Game Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote
  • Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey

Baltimore:

  • Head Coach John Harbaugh
  • Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken
  • Defensive Coordinator Zachary Orr
  • Assistant Head Coach/Pass Game Coordinator Chris Hewitt
  • Special Teams Coordinator Chris Horton

KEY 2024 ROSTER ADDITIONS

Buccaneers:

  • C Graham Barton (1st-round draft pick)
  • OLB Chris Braswell (2nd-round draft pick)
  • G Ben Bredeson (UFA)
  • TE Devin Culp (7th-round draft pick)
  • CB Bryce Hall (UFA)
  • RB Bucky Irving (4th-round draft pick)
  • WR Kameron Johnson (UDFA)
  • G Elijah Klein (6th-round draft pick)
  • WR Jalen McMillan (3rd-round draft pick)
  • G Royce Newman (W-GB)
  • S Tykee Smith (3rd-round draft pick)
  • CB Tavierre Thomas (UFA)
  • S Jordan Whitehead (UFA)

Ravens:

  • RB Rasheen Ali (5th-round draft pick)
  • LB Chris Board (FA)
  • S Beau Brade (UDFA)
  • WR Deonte Harty (FA)
  • RB Derrick Henry (UFA)
  • LB Adisa Isaac (3rd-round draft pick)
  • S Eddie Jackson (FA)
  • T Josh Jones (UFA)
  • S Sanoussi Kane (7th-round draft pick)
  • OLB Yannick Ngakoue (FA)
  • T Roger Rosengarten (2nd-round draft pick)
  • C Nick Samac (7th-round draft pick)
  • CB T.J. Tampa (4th-round draft pick)
  • WR Devontez Walker (4th-round draft pick)
  • CB Nate Wiggins (1st-round draft pick)

ADDITIONAL 2024 CHANGES/DEVELOPMENTS OF NOTE

Buccaneers:

  • As Todd Bowles enters his third season as the Bucs' head coach he'll be working with his third offensive coordinator in as many seasons. Last year, Bowles picked former Seattle Quarterbacks Coach Dave Canales to replace Byron Leftwich, but Canales departed this offseason to take over as the head coach of the Panthers. Bowles then turned to Liam Coen, who comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree with the Rams and most recently was the offensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky. Three members of the Bucs' 2023 staff followed Canales to Carolina – Brad Idzik, Harold Goodwin and Joe Gilbert, which led to some other new additions on Bowles staff in 2024. Those include Offensive Line Coach Kevin Carberry, Pass Game Coordinator Josh Grizzard, Wide Receivers Coach Bryan McClendon and Assistant Offensive Line Coach Brian Picucci. In addition, long-time Special Teams Coordinator Keith Armstrong retired in the offseason, so the Bucs brought in Thomas McGaughey as his replacement.
  • Under Coen, the Buccaneers' offense is expected to employ quite a bit more pre-snap shifts and movement than it had in 2023, and Coen also plans to widen the variety of the types of runs the ground game employees. One of Coen's other key initiatives in an attempt to get a moribund rushing attack going is to give quarterback Baker Mayfield multiple plays to choose from in the huddle and at the line so that the offense runs into unfavorable looks less often.
  • Despite having tight salary cap restrictions, the Buccaneers made it a priority to retain key players from the 2023 season who were scheduled to hit free agency. General Manager Jason Licht and his staff successfully checked off every item on their list of priorities, beginning with a new two-year deal for franchise icon Mike Evans. That helped bring the team's negotiations with quarterback Baker Mayfield to a conclusion. After Mayfield played the 2023 season on a one-year prove-it deal, his resurgence landed him a lucrative new multi-year contract. The Bucs were also able to re-sign linebacker Lavonte David and kicker Chase McLaughlin. With the other deals in the works, the Bucs used the franchise tag on safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and later inking him to a new contract making him the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL.
  • All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs didn't need a new contract for 2024 but he was entering the final year of his rookie deal and the Buccaneers were highly motivated to lock him in to a new long-term pact. That lengthy process came to a head on August 1, when the two sides agreed on a five-year extension that runs through the 2029 campaign and makes him the highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL.
  • In March, the Buccaneers traded cornerback Carlton Davis, who had started 75 games over six seasons with the team, to the Detroit Lions for a third-round pick in this year's draft. The Buccaneers eventually used that pick to select Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan.

Ravens:

  • To the surprise of no one, Ravens Defensive Coordinator Mike Macdonald was poached from John Harbaugh's staff after he directed the league's top-ranked scoring defense in 2023. With Macdonald getting the top job in Seattle, the Ravens responded by promoting former Inside Linebackers Coach Zach Orr to the coordinator spot. Meanwhile several other Baltimore assistants ascended to defensive coordinator posts elsewhere, with Anthony Weaver leaving for Miami and Dennard Wilson heading to Tennessee. That led to some new additions to Harbaugh's staff, including Mark DeLeone (inside linebackers), Dennis Johnson (defensive line), Doug Mallory (defensive backs) and Travelle Wharton (assistant offensive line).
  • The Ravens' top roster priority heading into the 2024 offseason was star defensive tackle Nnamdi (formerly known as Justin) Madubuike. Baltimore protected themselves against losing Madubuike, who had 13.0 sacks in 2023, by using their franchise tag. However, it took only a few days after that for the two sides to agree on a four-year, $98 million deal. Baltimore also picked up the fifth-year option on 2021 first-round pick Odafe Oweh and gave their other first-rounder in that draft, wide receive Rashod Bateman, a contract extension through 2026. Additionally, Baltimore re-signed outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who currently leads the team in sacks in 2024.
  • The Ravens chose to move on from wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., releasing him in March with a post-June 1 designation in order to spread his dead cap hit out over two seasons. Beckham eventually signed with the Dolphins. Other notable Ravens who departed in free agency included linebacker Patrick Queen (Pittsburgh), outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (Carolina) and safety Geno Stone. Queen had 133 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2023, Clowney contributed 9.5 sacks and Stone led the team with seven interceptions.
  • With Derrick Henry arriving to share the backfield with Lamar Jackson, the Ravens didn't try to retain running backs Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins, both of whom signed with the Los Angeles Chargers to play for John Harbaugh's brother, Jim.
  • Baltimore had to reshape the right side of their offensive line after traded tackle Morgan Moses to the New York Jets for a sixth-round draft pick and a swap of fourth-round selections. John Simpson, the former starter at left guard, also left for the Jets in free agency. The Ravens used a second-round pick on Washington's Roger Rosengarten and installed him at right tackle, then moved 2022 fourth-round pick Daniel Faalele into the starting lineup at right guard.

INJURY REPORT

Key:

DNP: Did not participate in practice

LP: Limited participation in practice

FP: Full participation in practice

NL: Not listed

Buccaneers:

  • C Graham Barton (hamstring) – WEDS: LP; THURS: LP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Not listed.
  • OLB Chris Braswell (shoulder) – WEDS: LP; THURS: FP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Not listed.
  • DL Earnest Brown* (ribs) – WEDS: FP; THURS: FP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Questionable.
  • LB Lavonte David (rest) – WEDS: NL; THURS: NL; FRI: DNP. Game Status: Not listed.
  • CB Jamel Dean (hamstring) – WEDS: DNP; THURS: DNP; FRI: DNP. Game Status: Out.
  • TE Payne Durham (calf) – WEDS: DNP; THURS: DNP; FRI: DNP. Game Status: Out.
  • WR Mike Evans (hamstring) – WEDS: DNP; THURS: DNP; FRI: LP. Game Status: Not listed.
  • DL Will Gholston (knee) – WEDS: LP; THURS: LP; FRI: DNP. Game Status: Not listed.
  • S Christian Izien (elbow/groin) – WEDS: LP; THURS: FP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Not listed.
  • WR Rakim Jarrett* (knee) – WEDS: LP; THURS: LP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Out.
  • WR Kameron Johnson (ankle) – WEDS: DNP; THURS: DNP; FRI: DNP. Game Status: Out.
  • WR Trey Palmer (concussion) – WEDS: LP; THURS: FP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Questionable.
  • DL Vita Vea (hamstring) – WEDS: NL; THURS: NL; FRI: DNP. Game Status: Questionable.
  • RB Rachaad White (foot) – WEDS: LP; THURS: LP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Questionable.
  • S Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) – WEDS: LP; THURS: FP; FRI: LP. Game Status: Not listed.

* Currently on injured reserve, designated for return

Ravens:

  • RB Rasheen Ali (ankle) – WEDS: LP; THURS: DNP; FRI: DNP. Game Status: Out.
  • LB Malik Harrison (groin) – WEDS: DNP; THURS: DNP; FRI: DNP. Game Status: Out.
  • WR Deonte Harty (knee) – WEDS: DNP; THURS: DNP. Placed on injured reserve.
  • CB Arthur Maulet* (knee/hamstring) – WEDS: LP; THURS: LP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Questionable.
  • DE Brent Urban (illness) – WEDS: DNP; THURS: LP; FRI: FP. Game Status: Not listed.
  • DT Broderick Washington (knee) – WEDS: LP; THURS: LP; FRI: LP. Game Status: Doubtful.

WEATHER FORECAST

Partly cloudy. High of 86, low of 68, 16% chance of rain in the evening, 82% humidity, winds out of the NNE at 5 mph.

GAME REFEREE

Head referee: Alex Kemp (11th season, seventh as referee)

BETTING LINE

  • Favorite: Ravens (-3.5)
  • Over/Under: 50.5

INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS IN 2024

Buccaneers-

Points Scored: K Chase McLauglin, 52

Touchdowns: WR Mike Evans/WR Chris Godwin, 5

Passing Yards: QB Baker Mayfield, 1,489

Passer Rating: QB Baker Mayfield, 109.4

Rushing Yards: RB Bucky Irving, 328

Receptions: WR Chris Godwin, 43

Receiving Yards: WR Chris Godwin, 511

Interceptions: CB Zyon McCollum, 2

Sacks: LB Lavonte David/DL Logan Hall/DL Vita Vea, 3.0

Tackles: LB Lavonte David, 46

Ravens-

Points Scored: RB Derrick Henry, 54

Touchdowns: RB Derrick Henry, 9

Passing Yards: QB Lamar Jackson, 1,529

Passer Rating: QB Lamar Jackson, 108.4

Rushing Yards: RB Derrick Henry, 704

Receptions: WR Zay Flowers, 33

Receiving Yards: WR Zay Flowers, 401

Interceptions: CB Marlon Humphrey, 2

Sacks: OLB Kyle Van Noy, 6.0

Tackles: LB Roquan Smith, 56

TEAM STAT RANKINGS IN 2024

Buccaneers-

Scoring Offense: t-2nd (29.7 ppg)

Total Offense: 9th (367.2 ypg)

Rushing Offense: 8th (136.8 ypg)

Passing Offense: 11th (230.3 ypg)

First Downs Per Game: 5th (22.3)

Third-Down Pct.: 4th (47.6%)

Sacks Per Pass Attempt Allowed: 23rd (8.99%)

Red Zone TD Pct.: 9th (65.2%)

Scoring Defense: 19th (23.5 ppg)

Total Defense: 26th (365.7 ypg)

Rushing Defense: t-11th (113.3 ypg)

Passing Defense: 28th (252.3 ypg)

First Downs Allowed Per Game: 26th (21.5)

Third-Down Pct. Allowed: 17th (37.2%)

Sacks Per Pass Attempt: 22nd (6.94%)

Red Zone TD Pct. Allowed: 12th (48.0%)

Turnover Margin: 10th (+2)

Ravens-

Scoring Offense: 4th (29.5 ppg)

Total Offense: 1st (453.7 ypg)

Rushing Offense: 1st (205.3 ypg)

Passing Offense: 8th (248.3 ypg)

First Downs Per Game: 1st (25.0)

Third-Down Pct.: 1st (51.5%)

Sacks Per Pass Attempt Allowed: 1st (3.95%)

Red Zone TD Pct.: t-1st (75.0)

Scoring Defense: 24th (24.8 ppg)

Total Defense: 16th (334.7 ypg)

Rushing Defense: 1st (59.0 ypg)

Passing Defense: 31st (275.7 ypg)

First Downs Allowed Per Game: 18th (19.7)

Third-Down Pct. Allowed: 21st (41.1%)

Sacks Per Pass Attempt: 10th (8.56%)

Red Zone TD Pct. Allowed: t-25th (66.7%)

Turnover Margin: t-13th (0)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

  • WR Mike Evans caught two more touchdown passes in the Bucs' Week Five game in Atlanta, giving him five this season and 99 on his career. Evans is now tied with Don Hutson for 11th place on the NFL's all-time list in that category and needs one more to become the 11th player ever to hit triple digits. His 100 total touchdowns scored (he had one on a fumble recovery in 2018) are tied for 23rd all time and he needs one more to move into a tie with Steve Largent for 22nd place.
  • Evans has played 160 games for the Buccaneers and needs one more to break a tie with former Pro Bowl center Tony Mayberry for sole possession of eighth place on that list in team history.
  • With 11,990 career receiving yards, Evans needs 10 more to become the 30th player in NFL history to reach the 12,000-yard mark.
  • If Evans can get both 44 yards and a touchdown on Monday, he will become just the 10th player in NFL history with 12,000-plus receiving yards and 100-plus touchdown receptions. Of the other nine, eight are already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the ninth, Larry Fitzgerald, is likely a first-ballot inductee when he becomes eligible.
  • WR Chris Godwin has had at least five catches and at least 50 receiving yards in each of his last seven regular season games, including all six this season, the longest active streak in the NFL. He could extend that streak on Monday against Baltimore.
  • K Chase McLaughlin hit two 53-yard field goals in Week Five at Atlanta, and is now five for five from 50 yards and beyond this season and 12 of 13 in the regular season since joining the Buccaneers last season. McLaughlin needs two more from that range to tie Connor Barth (15) for the most successful field goals from 50-plus yards.
  • Against Philadelphia in Week Four, LB Lavonte David forced a fumble for the 30th time in his career. He needs one more forced fumble to break a tie with the Chargers' Khalil Mack to lead all active players with 31.

NOTABLY QUOTABLE

  • Head Coach Todd Bowles on what is emerging as the team's identity: "Right now, it's just resiliency. Us coming back and forming toughness in the second half and learning off our mistakes – if we can eliminate penalties, if we can eliminate shooting ourselves in the foot, which we're cutting down more and more, I think we have a chance to be a very good team."
  • Running back Bucky Irving on going up against Baltimore's top-ranked run defense: "You always have to be up for the challenge. You have to treat every week the same as far as a preparation standpoint and just attack it. We're just going to go out there and compete at a high level, we're going to see what our coaches come up [with] as far as a game plan standpoint and then go with that."
  • Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. on the Bucs' ability to bounce back quickly from adversity: "I would say just from our past experiences of being with each other, we try to get out of those slumps as fast as possible. That's why I think you can see that day to day but it's really just the message of, 'We want to be great,' right? So every day we have to attack it like that. We can't let days turn to weeks [when] that slump area happens so we kind of just like nip it in the bud and try to make sure that doesn't happen to us."
  • Bowles on how the Ravens are using running back Derrick Henry after his years in Tennessee: "Tennessee used him [well] as well. He was a one-punch in Tennessee, now he's got a one-two punch here in Baltimore. He's been like this since he came into the league. He's very fast, he's very strong, he's very tough, and he's very smart. He doesn't get as much credit for finding the holes…When he gets through them, you're not going to catch him. He's a heck of a football player."
  • Quarterback Baker Mayfield on Baltimore's defense: "I mean, they kind of have tone-setters on all three levels. Starting up front, '92' (Nnamdi Madubuike) is a monster, he has some twitch to him – they're stout up front all across the board. They have smart veteran players as well and then at linebacker, obviously Roquan Smith was a huge addition for them two years ago – just him coming in [and] setting the tone. He's a physical guy, really, really smart, recognizes plays quickly, he reacts to them quicker and then in the back end, obviously, Marlon Humphrey – [I] played against him quite a bit and just knowing the type of guys they have. They're physical, they want to be the bully, but they have those guys that set the tone for them on all three levels. Every single position group presents its own challenges. Yeah, we're playing the Ravens and they're a physical team, but it still comes down to us executing, running our things and doing it at a very high level."

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