Predicting the Final Score of Ravens vs. Buccaneers in Week 6

By Kyle Mountain on October 10, 2014

Week 6 action in the NFL will have the 3-2 Baltimore Ravens on the road to face the 1-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers in what is a pretty critical game for both teams. This game isn’t exactly headline material, but there are important implications that surround it.

Both teams are coming off of Week 5 losses and will be looking to rebound and get back into the win column. For the Ravens, last week’s tough road loss to the Indianapolis Colts was their first since Week 1. The Buccaneers suffered a loss to the New Orleans Saints last week after pulling off a last-minute and very unlikely win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4. Despite their lackluster record, the Bucs have been playing very solid football since their embarrassing Week 3 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, in which they were blown out 56-14. The Bucs are in a situation in which they need to win to have any remote chance at a winning season and the Ravens are looking to keep pace with the best of the AFC North.

Bucs wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who was questionable earlier in the week with a rib injury, is now listed as probable and will most likely be on the field Sunday. This is good news for the Bucs as Jackson is one of, if not the only bright spot within Tampa’s dismal offensive system. Jackson leads the team in receptions and their rushing game is nearly non-existent. If they’ll have any chance this weekend, Tampa will not only need Jackson on the field, but they’ll need him to come through with one of his bigger performances of the year.

Baltimore’s defense has been much improved compared to last year and they’re doing a great job limiting opposition points — their 16 points against per game is good enough for third best in the NFL. Their offense is clicking as they’ve been able to get a balanced rushing attack to counter their passing game, which has been powered by the ageless wonder, Steve Smith. The veteran wide receiver has shattered expectations thus far and will likely remain as quarterback Joe Flacco‘s favorite target.

Both teams are due for a win and despite needing one more than the Ravens do, I think the Buccaneers will fall short this week. They’ve been playing better football, yet I still think the Ravens are a much better team all around. Their offense should be able to have their way with a weak Tampa defense, and as long as they can keep Vincent Jackson in check, I don’t see them having much trouble keeping the Buccaneers off the scoreboard.

Final prediction: Ravens 31, Buccaneers 17