The Ravens are below .500 away from the big crabcake under Harbaugh and we have definitely thrown some stinkers out there. I'm sure everyone remembers that crap fest we had back in Jacksonville in primetime a few years back. Yeah, we lost to the Jaguars. Not a group of the animal (which would be acceptable), the team. That being said, now we have another division bottom dweller we need to visit who, as of late, has been playing tough against decent opponents.
The Bucs beat the Steelers at home and then traveled to the big easy only to blow a late lead to their Lord Breesus Christ. So it's easy to dismiss them and their 1-4 record(just a reminder for my Steeler loving spouse, that 1 win, was YOUR team). However since Mike Glennon has taken over they are a different team offensively. Vincent Jackson, who was invisible in the beginning of the season, has come alive since Glennon has taken over. Not to mention how well Bobby Rainey has played spelling Doug Martin, or completely taking over for him due to his immense injury issues. Did they get smashed in their Thursday night game at Atlanta? Oh yeah they did. Who hasn't this season? Every game on Thursday has been completely one sided. With only the Giants proving a road team can put on the beat down.
Back to Glennon who has put together some decent, not all be it world beating, numbers. His QBR has stayed in the low 70's, he has thrown for multiple TDs in the past 2 games (that is like winning the Super Bowl to a Bucs fan these days), and averaged about 250 yards per game. He had ice in his veins in Pittsburgh on that final drive reminding their fans more of classic Roethlisberger, who could only muster a 3 and out on their final drive before Glennon's winning drive. There may have been a different result last week but that game should not have been that close in New Orleans. Maybe the Saints aren't who we thought they were and Tampa let them off the hook. It's still a late loss to Drew Brees who is one of the most clutch QBs in the league especially at home. I think the bigger issues for the Bucs may be on the other side of the ball.
Where Lovie Smith is still stuck on the prehistoric Tampa 2 defense. I don't think it will take Joe Flacco long to start picking that team with those poor corners apart. We just have to hold up against their strong front 7 long enough for Joe to pick apart the league's 30th ranked pass defense. Especially with our line looking as poor and depleted as they did last week. In addition to that, has anyone looked at our injury report? If a guy is on the offensive line he is on there this week. At least that is how it feels to me. I think Torrey Smith has a big turnaround game this week. He needs to redeem himself for what many critics have been trashing him for from last week. Show you have hands Torrey, show you can be a dynamic receiver. That is all you have to do.
This is a turnaround game for the Ravens. They are playing a bad team after a rough week that will hopefully push them to becoming a 4-2 team and back in the hunt for the division crown. Cincy losing the way they did and now having to deal without having A.J. Green for whatever amount of time that is helps the Ravens immensely. Add that to the fact that having a win over a common opponent from your division is very helpful to our playoff chances. A win this week can push them in the right direction for Atlanta at home next week. Then off to Cincy to hopefully split the season series with the Bengals.
All in all it is going to be a great sports weekend in Baltimore. While the Ravens are on the road, Baltimore's faithful will enjoy watching their O's at Camden Yards Friday and Saturday. All eyes will be on their TV sets to watch the Ravens hopefully dominate Tampa on Sunday. Let's go bad birds of Baltimore!
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