Some information given to us courtesy of Bucs’ Nation’s Evan Wanish.
In preparing for Monday’s anticipated matchup, Bucs Nation’s Evan Wanish and I sat down for a Q&A for one another’s publications.
Through Week 6, Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield leads all quarterbacks with 15 passing touchdowns and is second in passer rating with 109.4 (one point ahead of Lamar Jackson). Can you share how Mayfield is playing? What is he — not the receiving talent — doing to increase the level of play of the Buccaneers’ passing attack?
Mayfield has been doing a great job for Tampa Bay so far this season but two things he’s excelled in are protecting the football and extending plays/avoiding pressure.
While he had three interceptions last week, two of those you could argue weren’t on him. He has done a great job of extending plays and avoiding pressure when it happens. His play making ability not only with his arm but also his legs are something that Tampa Bay is taking advantage of.
The pass game for the Buccaneers’ offense isn’t the only reason they’re effective. They’re No. 7 in rushing yards and are tied for second-most yards per carry (5.3). What is propelling them to be so successful on the ground?
The Bucs running game is still a work in progress. Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker were excellent last week, but that type of game has been more of an exception than the norm. Tampa Bay is hoping that last week wasn’t an anomaly and their run game can maintain success that help sets up the Bucs passing game, which is still the overall strength of the unit.
3. Switching to the Buccaneers’ defense, they’ve struggled statistically. They’re ranked No. 12 in red zone TD rate allowed (48%), No. 18 in third down conversion allowed (37.18%) and No. 29 in pass yards allowed (1,514). But, stats do not tell the full story. What can you share to enlighten Ravens fans about the Buccaneers’ defense?
Tampa Bay’s defense has struggled this year, but they have also struggled to stay healthy. Antoine Winfield Jr was injured in week one and missed the next four games, Calijah Kancey missed the first five games of the season and Vita Vea missed a game as well.
Now they are still not going to be at full strength as starting corner Jamel Dean will miss this one. When they’ve all been on the field together, the results have been OK but their just simply has not been enough of a sample size with the unit at full strength to get an actual feel for how good or bad they are.
4. Which matchups in this contest do see most fruitful for the Buccaneers to capitalize on and win? And, which matchups are the weakest for the Buccaneers for the Ravens to pursue victory?
Tampa Bay has to be able to control the ball and keep Lamar Jackson on the sidelines. Converting third downs, staying ahead of schedule and staying out of long down situations will help that a lot. I’d look for Chris Godwin a lot in this one. He’s been awesome for Tampa Bay so far and while Mike Evans will play, he’s still banged up.
As for Baltimore, I think they need to attack the middle of the field against Tampa’s defense. Linebacker K.J. Britt has struggled mightily in pass coverage this season. Could be a big day for Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.
5. Who are two players (one offense, one defense) Ravens fans should know about heading into this game?
One player on offense to know is rookie RB Bucky Irving. He continues to get better and better each week and with the Ravens stout run defense, Irving may be utilized more as a pass catching option.
On defense, it’s Zyon McCollum. The third year corner has been the team’s best corner so far this season and he has a lot of potential. Tampa Bay took a chance when they traded away Carlton Davis in order to give McCollum a starting job and so far it is paying off in a big way.