The Baltimore Ravens travel to Tampa Bay on Monday night as they get set to take on the Buccaneers. The Ravens are coming off their fourth straight victory as they defeated the Washington Commanders last Sunday by a final of 30-23. While the Buccaneers enter Monday also at 4-2 after their 51-27 blowout victory over the Saints last Sunday.
On the injury front the Ravens will be without running back Rasheen Ali (ankle), linebacker Malik Harrison (groin), and defensive tackle Broderick Washington (knee) who was listed as doubtful on Saturday, but was officially ruled out on Sunday. Cornerback Arthur Maulet who is currently still on injured reserve practiced in full on Saturday and is listed as questionable. In a corresponding move which could indicate Maulet will play Monday, wide receiver and return specialist Deonte Harty (knee) was placed on injured reserve.
As for the Buccaneers they have a host of injuries to deal with on Monday night. Wide receivers Kameron Johnson (ankle) and Rakim Jarrett (knee) have been ruled out, while Try Palmer (concussion) is listed as questionable. Tight end Payne Durham (calf) is out while cornerback Jamel Dean (hamstring) has also been ruled out for Monday. The two biggest injury question marks for the Buccaneers are running back Rachaad White (foot) and defensive tackle Vita Vea (hamstring). Both are listed as questionable with Vea’s status being the most concerning as he did not practice on Saturday.
Players to Watch:
Rashod Bateman
The Ravens took a chance on wide receiver Rashod Bateman before the start of the 2024 season, signing him to a three-year contact extension, despite the injury history surrounding the former first-round pick. The Ravens knew that if Bateman could stay healthy, he would be productive and so far through 2024 that’s exactly what he has been.
Through the Ravens first six games Bateman has 17 receptions for 273 yards, second most on the team, and two touchdowns. Bateman continues to be one of the best receivers in the NFL in regard to creating separation with his defender, and should he remain healthy for the second half of the season expect Bateman to have a career year, with a career night possibly on the horizon Monday.
Jordan Whitehead
Veteran safety Jordan Whitehead is in his first season in Tamp Bay and has quickly made an impact as one of the team’s best players in the Buccaneers secondary. Through six games Whitehead has accumulated 43 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and three pass deflections.
Whitehead has been targeted a total of 19 times in those six games and has allowed 12 receptions. Whitehead has a strong nose for the football and can play near the line of scrimmage to help disrupt opposing teams rushing attacks. The Ravens will need to be aware of Whitehead on Monday night and keep him from recording his first interception of 2024.
Prediction
The gauntlet will continue this week for the Ravens defense as they again square off with one of 2024’s best quarterbacks. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is no stranger to the Ravens as he boasts a 3-6 career record vs the Ravens with all but one game coming as a member of the Cleveland Browns.
While the offenses of both teams have been impressive, it’s the defenses on both sides that have struggled to make much of an impact. While the Ravens rank 17th in total defense the Buccaneers rank even worse coming in at 27th in total defense giving up over 365 yards per game. Much like the Ravens the Buccaneers also struggle against the pass giving up 252 yards through the air per game, 29th worst. Compare that to the Ravens who are allowing over 275 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks, dead last in the NFL.
Expect the offenses to be on full display Monday night, as I expect some high scoring, and big plays. The game will come down to which defense can make one or two stops, and I think the Ravens defense can clutch up late to give the Ravens their fifth straight victory by a final of 34-26.
Line: Baltimore -3.5
Over/Under: 49.5
All-Time Record: Baltimore leads series 5-2
Last Meeting: 10/27/22 Baltimore 27-22
The post Preview: Ravens Take on Buccaneers on Monday Night appeared first on Marylandsportsblog.com.