TALL DRINK: Bucs QB Mike Glennon looks more like a small forward than a quarterback but he can get the job done if he’s given time. It doesn’t take much for him to stand tall in the pocket and if he can set Glennon can deliver accurately and on time. He’s been sacked 9 times this season and he moves well despite his flamingo legs. Flushing him to his left can bring desirable results.
TALL OAKS: Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans are both active today and if Glennon gets time, it’s difficult to imagine a nicked up Ravens secondary staying with these 6’5” bookends.
A PIRATE LOOKS AT 90: Former Bengals DE and Ravens nemesis No. 90 Michael Johnson is now in Tampa. He’ll give James Hurst all he can handle and then some. How the Ravens deal with Johnson could determine the outcome of this game.
CONTROL: The Ravens are likely to wear purple today, punishment for visiting the tropical area of southwest Florida. At kickoff the temperature on the field is likely to be north of 90 under a blistering sun. Therefore controlling the ball and winning the battle of the clock will be key. The Ravens through five games possess the ball on average 29 minutes while the Bucs keep it for 26.
AIR TRAFFIC: Despite the need to win the battle of the clock it will be hard for Gary Kubiak to ignore that porous secondary Joe Flacco will face today. Quarterbacks have an average rating of 103.9 when taking on the Bucs while throwing for 292 yards per game.
NOTES
- The Bucs have the NFL’s 30th ranked defense
- Former Raven Bobby Rainey averages 4.7 yards per carry
- Tampa has been penalized 42 times on the season compared to 21 flags for the Ravens.
- Baltimore has beaten Tampa during the past 2 meeting by the combined scored of 44-10.
