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Monday Night Football in Week 7 brings us a heavyweight clash between two teams with 4-2 records: the Baltimore Ravens and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Set to kick off at 8:15 PM ET at Raymond James Stadium, this matchup has all the makings of a primetime classic, with both riding high on offense and looking to solidify their place atop their respective divisions. The Ravens come in as narrow 3.5-point favorites, but this one promises to be a tight, hard-fought battle.
The Ravens have found their groove after a rocky start to the season. Despite an early-season loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2 where they blew a 10-point lead, Baltimore has bounced back with three straight wins, including a 35-10 dismantling of the Buffalo Bills and a 41-38 overtime thriller against the Cincinnati Bengals. Most recently, they secured a 30-23 win over the Washington Commanders, racking up a staggering 484 yards of offense.
Lamar Jackson is at the heart of everything Baltimore does offensively. The former MVP is having an impressive season as both a passer and a rusher. Through six games, Jackson has thrown for 1,529 yards with 10 touchdowns and only two interceptions, while adding 403 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. His ability to extend plays and make something out of nothing continues to frustrate defenses.
Perhaps the biggest boost to Baltimore’s offense has been the addition of running back Derrick Henry. The bruising back has taken some pressure off Jackson in the run game, allowing the Ravens to establish a more balanced attack. Henry has been everything the Ravens could have hoped for, rushing for 704 yards and nine total touchdowns so far. He has eclipsed 80 rushing yards in each of his last five games, including three performances of 130 or more.
At wide receiver, Zay Flowers has emerged as a dynamic playmaker, leading the team with 33 catches for 400 yards. Flowers had a monstrous first half against Washington, showing his ability to stretch the field and make big plays. Rashod Bateman has also started to find his footing in recent weeks, providing Jackson with another reliable target alongside tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.
Tampa Bay enters this game on a roll offensively, having scored 30 or more points in three straight games. After an overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 5, where they fell 36-30, the Buccaneers bounced back with a 51-27 drubbing of the New Orleans Saints in Week 6. Mayfield has been a revelation under center, putting together one of the best starts to a season in his career.
Through six games, Mayfield has thrown for 1,489 yards with 15 touchdowns to just five interceptions. His accuracy has been exceptional, completing 70% of his passes, and he’s getting the ball to his playmakers consistently. The dynamic wide receiver duo of Chris Godwin and Mike Evans has been nothing short of elite this season, with both players already amassing five touchdown receptions each. Godwin’s ability to work the intermediate routes, combined with Evans’ prowess as a deep threat, gives Tampa Bay one of the most dangerous passing attacks in the league.
But it hasn’t just been the passing game that has fueled the Bucs’ success. Rookie running back Bucky Irving has emerged as a breakout weapon, providing a much-needed spark in the backfield. Meanwhile, backup running back Sean Tucker exploded onto the scene against the Saints, racking up 200 total yards and two touchdowns on just 17 touches. With Tucker adding another dimension to their offense, the Buccaneers have become even more dangerous.
Defensively, Tampa Bay is getting healthier, with safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey both expected to be back in the lineup. However, the Buccaneers’ secondary remains a concern, as they’ve given up big plays in the passing game, which could be problematic against a Ravens team that has shown an ability to stretch the field.
For the Ravens, the formula is simple: control the tempo with Derrick Henry and use Lamar Jackson’s dual-threat ability to exploit Tampa Bay’s secondary. If they can keep the game on the ground and limit Tampa Bay’s possessions, they’ll be in prime position to secure the win.
For the Buccaneers, the key will be finding balance on offense and getting Mayfield into a rhythm early. If they can establish their own running game with Irving and Tucker, it will open up opportunities downfield for Godwin and Evans. Defensively, Tampa Bay must find a way to slow down Henry and force Jackson to win the game with his arm.
This game has all the makings of a high-scoring affair, with both teams firing on all cylinders offensively and both defenses dealing with injuries in the secondary. While the Ravens’ running game gives them an edge in controlling the tempo, we expect Baker Mayfield to keep pace with Lamar Jackson in what could turn into an MVP showdown.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.