by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Oct 24, 2022
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Where to watch: Prime Video
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Ravens -1; Ravens -125, Bucs +105
FanDuel: Ravens -1.5; Ravens -116, Bucs +102
BetMGM: Ravens -1.5; Ravens -120, Bucs +100
Caesars: Ravens -1; Ravens -120, Bucs +100
Season record
Ravens: 4-3 (T-1st, AFC North)
Buccaneers: 3-4 (T-1st, NFC South)
If this were a 16-game season, we’d be rejoicing that we’re at the halfway mark, which I guess we still are at this point? Not quite sure, but alas, here we are at the halfway mark and things are topsy turvy. The Buccaneers are below .500. The Packers are below .500. The NFC East has a three-team race that includes the Giants not knowing how to lose. What in the world is going to happen this week? One thing we can assure you is if Al McMordie continues on his 8-4-0 run over the last week, you’re also looking up at the halfway mark if you believe in our champion handicappers. Want to get in on this? Go to our Best Bets page at bigal.com and get ready for an exciting week of football.
Ravens - Buccaneers preview, analysis and prediction
Last week
Ravens: won 23-20 vs. Browns
Buccaneers: lost 21-3 at Panthers
The alternating wins and losses continue for the Baltimore Ravens, who are now 4-3 and staying afloat in the AFC North race. The Ravens withstood a late rally from the Cleveland Browns to hold on 23-20 on Sunday in a must-win situation after losing 24-20 to the New York Giants the previous week. The Ravens returned home to get 120 yards passing from Lamar Jackson, but it was Gus Edwards leading the way on the ground with 66 yards and two touchdowns. He didn’t quite outduel Nick Chubb’s 91 and a touchdown, but the Ravens were able to skirt by despite a horrendous offensive day. The Ravens had just 254 yards of total offense. It helped Cleveland couldn’t figure things out late and committed some really dumb penalties.
"We kind of had the lead again. What's going to happen?" Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said. "Focus on what you've got to do within the play, not within the situation and the circumstances. Circumstances really doesn't matter. What matters is the play call and doing your job."
The Ravens just haven’t found that consistency this year. Just when they win one game, they fall back and lose one that they should’ve won. All three losses have been by one score and they haven’t been quite the most confidence-building losses in terms of turning this thing around. But if the Ravens can string together some wins, they’ll at least put some fear in the Bengals at some point when it comes to the top of the AFC North. If this were the week to make things happen, this might be it.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are freefalling through epic proportions. I have no idea what to make of this other than the fact that Bruce Arians’ retirement is hindering this offense more than we anticipated. Tampa Bay has dropped back-to-back games after losing 21-3 to the *cleans glasses* Carolina Panthers in a rather humiliating performance. Just days removed from trading Christian McCaffrey to San Francisco, the Panthers had D’Onta Foreman run for 118 yards on the stout Tampa run defense. Tom Brady threw the ball 49 times and had just 290 yards, and Leonard Fournette was held to 19 yards on eight carries with his longest run just nine yards. It’s just a horrible situation right now with the Bucs, and the fact that Brady is on a team that’s under .500 is really the worst possible situation right now.
"No one feels good about where we're at," Brady said. "No one feels good about how we played or what we're doing. We're all in it together, and we have to pull ourselves out of it."
However the result fares this week is going to end up a disappointing result for the loser. If the Ravens lose, it’s another regrettable on-and-off season against a team at its lowest point. If the Bucs lose, their season might come crashing down even though they’re still in first place in the NFC South because holy mother of god is that division ever hot garbage.
Prediction
The Bucs can’t afford to drop a game on a short week after getting humiliated by the Panthers. But I’m having such a tough time believing in them. The Ravens know the opportunity ahead of them, and this is likely the time they finally win two in a row. Ravens by 7
Betting trends
Ravens are 21-15 ATS in franchise history as a road favorite of 3 points or less.
Ravens are 11-9 ATS in their last 20 on the road.
Ravens are 5-4 ATS in their last nine non-conference games.
Buccaneers are 13-8 ATS in their last 21 home games.
Buccaneers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven as an underdog; 3-0 ATS in last three as a home dog.
Statistical leaders
Ravens:
Passing: Lamar Jackson – 1,397 yards, 13 TD, 6 INT
Rushing: Lamar Jackson – 510 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: Mark Andrews – 455 yards, 5 TD
Defense: Marcus Williams – 3 INT
Buccaneers:
Passing: Tom Brady – 1,942 yards, 8 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Leonard Fournette – 362 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Mike Evans – 454 yards, 3 TD
Defense: Two tied – 3 sacks
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Baltimore Ravens - Tampa Bay Buccaneers prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NFL projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
