The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the club with the NFL's best record in 2023, the Baltimore Ravens, in Week 7 via Monday Night Football (ESPN). The matchup on Oct. 21 at 8:15 p.m. ET will mark the first time the reigning NFL MVP has played at Raymond James Stadium since Aaron Rodgers in the 2022 season, as Lamar Jackson comes into town. The Buccaneers will face a Ravens' team that ranks first in the NFL in total offense (453.7), rushing offense (205.3) and run defense (59.0). Jackson and the Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield won back-to-back Heisman Trophies in 2016 and 2017 and were each selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Mayfield currently leads the league in passing touchdowns, and on Monday Night he will strive to exploit the NFL's 31st ranked pass defense – a statistic somewhat dictated by opponents falling behind and being forced to develop a pass-heavy script. Here are five Buccaneers to observe on Monday:

Chris Godwin

Chris Godwin leads the NFL with 43 receptions and in YAC yards (335) per Next Gen Stats. His 55-yard receiving touchdown against the Saints – all created after the catch – marked the most YAC on any play of his career in Tampa Bay. Godwin has become Baker Mayfield's go-to target on third down, moving the chains. He is adept on end-arounds, screens and sweeps, using his physical play style to create on the perimeter. Godwin is a dynamic weapon out of the slot, taking advantage of free releases. His flexibility as a deep threat sets up his ability to bait defenders, selling a vertical route, then he works the intermediate area of the field. Godwin is a willing blocker in the run game and finds the open zone when Mayfield is forced out of the pocket. On Monday, he will face Ravens' slot cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Humphrey has amassed two interceptions and six passes defensed through the first six weeks of the season and the three-time Pro Bowler pairs recovery speed with hip fluidity. Humphrey plays with solid instincts, balance and short-area quickness.

Vita Vea

The Ravens are averaging 146.3 more rush yards per game than their opponents in 2024 and that is predominately due to the prowess of Derrick Henry. Henry ranks first in the NFL in both rushing yards (704) and rushing touchdowns (8). Once Henry gets a full head of steam, he is nearly impossible to bring down. With an effective angular style and downhill charge, Henry is lethal behind his pads and punishes defenders. He has deceptive speed for his size and quickly accelerates post-cut. He is just as powerful on the edge as he is between the tackles, keeping defensive coordinators up at night. He has a menacing stiff arm and is a mismatch anywhere on the field. On Monday, Bucs' nose tackle Vita Vea will be tasked with bottling up Henry at the line of scrimmage. Vea, the linchpin of the Bucs' run defense, overwhelms in the trenches. He has the power to drive blockers back and has rare quickness for his frame. He pairs a lethal bull rush with violent hands. He is a force at the point of attack and maintains gap integrity. Vea will play a crucial role on Monday in prime time.

Antoine Winfield Jr.

Through four straight wins, Lamar Jackson is fourth in completion percentage (70.3%), third in passer rating (108.4), second in yards per dropback (9.1) and has thrown eight touchdowns to one interception. In addition, he has rushed for 236 yards – the most among quarterbacks. Last year, Jackson set career highs in passing yards, completion percentage and yards per pass attempt and the dual threat has continued his reign of terror in 2024. He is among the league's elite in the conversation for MVP and Jackson can take a game over with his elusiveness in space. He makes off-platform throws effortlessly and has rare field vision. With a strong arm and the ability to juke defenders, Jackson creates problems for defenses. On Monday, Buccaneers' safety Antoine Winfield Jr. will play a key role in containing Jackson, whether coming on a blitz or firing downhill to make a tackle if Jackson breaks out of the pocket. Winfield Jr. returned from injury against the Saints and posted four tackles, one quarterback hit, one pass defensed and a 58-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. No.31 will look to make his mark against the Ravens.

Bucky Irving

The Bucs' run game made significant strides against the Saints as the team finished with the third most rushing yards in a single game in franchise history (277). Rookie Bucky Irving became a catalyst on the ground, tallying 81 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. The Buccaneers averaged 7.9 yards per carry, the fourth-highest single-game mark in team history. Irving had a highlight-reel 31-yard run in the fourth quarter off a counter play that helped set up Cade Otton's touchdown. Irving was patient on the run, letting Otton get the backside block and Chris Godwin sealed the edge for Irving to bounce outside. He took the course then cut inside and crossed the field to pick up additional yardage away from traffic. With physicality in space and an effective lateral jump-cut, Irving has helped ignite the Bucs' ground attack in 2024. He will likely see a heavy dose of Ravens' linebacker Roquan Smith on Monday. Smith leads Baltimore in tackles with 56 – eighth in the NFL – and has the speed to outpace rushers to the boundary. The talented off-ball linebacker sets the tone and routinely slips past blocks. He is explosive in space and plays with elite instincts. Smith has a knack for blowing up screens and has played a pivotal role in the prominence of the Ravens' run defense in 2024.

Cody Mauch

Last season, Ravens' defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike led all NFL defensive tackles with 13 sacks to earn his first Pro Bowl nod. He plays with twitchy feet and short-area athleticism to stop rushers. Madubuike fortifies the interior of the Ravens' line and wins with leverage and strength. Cody Mauch, the Bucs' right guard, will face Madubuike on Monday. Mauch played a significant role in the resurgence of Tampa Bay's ground attack against the Saints, serving as a tenacious puller on counter plays and gap runs. Mauch plays with a fiery demeanor on the field and is a finisher on blocks. He plays with above-average upper body strength to absorb power and leg drive. This will be a critical battle at the line of scrimmage in the primetime spotlight in Week Seven.