Kick-off Thursday night to Friday at 2:15 a.m.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4) – Baltimore Ravens (4-3)
It was 20 years that a team led by Tom Brady had not posted a negative record at this stage of the season. In fact, it is necessary to go back to 2002 to find traces of such a difficult start to the season for the pitcher. Beyond the anecdote, the statistics testify to the complicated situation in which the former Patriot and all his attack find themselves. Since the start of the championship, the Buccaneers have never seemed to find their rhythm on offense. The problems within 20 opposing yards are recurring, injuries continue to handicap some major players, and even Tom Brady does not seem to have the usual rhythm.
A simple observation that makes things complicated at the champ 2020. The problem is that the NFL season is progressing quickly and if the Buccaneers want to hitch the right wagon, they will have to get back in place very quickly. Like this Thursday Night Football which will not make their task easier. Already, because he forces them to have only three days of work between the two games, then because he sees them hosting Ravens who are never easy to maneuver.
The aerial game, the key for Tampa
Baltimore comes off a win at Cleveland (23-20). Once again, John Harbaugh’s men scared each other with a new lead of 10 dots thrown out the window and a fumble that nearly cost them the game. One thing is certain, Baltimore loves close games and we imagine that it will be the same this Thursday. The problem for the Ravens remains air defense. Since the start of the season, and surprisingly, Maryland players have struggled in this area (261.3 yards conceded per game in the air, 26th in the league). So, of course, the Tampa Bay air attack isn’t what it used to be. The fact remains that she still accumulates yards in this sector (266.1 yards recorded per game, 6th in NFL).
With the departure of Wink Martindale for New York, the defensive squad of Baltimore lost one of its technicians and for the moment, they are struggling to regain their level of previous years. In this scheme, the pressure will be all the stronger on the shoulders of Lamar Jackson. The young pitcher had been dubbed by Tom Brady at the time of his (true-false) retirement through a post on social networks and a “You’re Next” addressed to the Raven.
Launch a positive dynamic
The two men only met once. It was during Tom Brady’s last season at New England. Baltimore had sharply beaten the Patriots (37-20). Inevitably, Lamar Jackson hopes for the same outcome for their reunion. For this, he will have to continue his work on the ground. The quarterback is quite simply one of the best… runners in the league (510 yards, 5th in NFL). Usually, this is an area that Tampa Bay handles quite well. But like the entire franchise this season, the run stop seems to have regressed in Florida. With 118.3 yards allowed per game (16th in the league)it is no longer a strength at all.
Surprising difficulties that should not please Todd Bowles. The former defensive coordinator, now head coach, seems to be struggling with this promotion. The departure of Bruce Arians left a void in this position in the franchise and the one who had already experienced a failure at the Jets did not necessarily approach this second chance in the best way. This Thursday Night Football, in prime time, will therefore be an opportunity for Todd Bowles and Tom Brady to get back in place and launch a positive dynamic.
