Baltimore Ravens host Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, at 7-3, may need to win 11 games this year just to make the play-offs as a wild card, as two of their AFC South Division rivals, the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, are on their way to the top of the conference. They will
need a win on Sunday 28 November against the 7-3 Baltimore Ravens if they hope to keep pace in the NFC.
Previous meetings and recent games
The Bucs and Ravens don't meet often. Since the NFL's realignment they've met only twice with each team winning once. Interestingly enough, both games during that time involved one team shutting out the other. Four years ago the Ravens won 27-0 in the last
meeting between the two teams.
The Buccaneers have emerged this season as one of the NFL's most underrated teams. At one point, head coach Raheem Morris boldly declared that his team were the best in the NFC. They may not actually be the best team in the conference but they've surprised
everybody by being way up there with the best of them. They most recently beat the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 21-0.
This is the third time in as many weeks that the Ravens will be taking on an NFC South opponent. After losing 26-21 to the NFC's best team, the Atlanta Falcons, the Ravens bounced back with a 37-13 win over the NFC's worst team, the Carolina Panthers. The
AFC North continues to be a two-horse race between the Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
How they match up
Over the last decade the Ravens have set themselves apart as the bar by which all other defensive systems get measured. When the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2001 it was due in large part to their defence. After starting the season strongly, the Ravens have
begun to get picked apart by opposing offences as the Falcons chalked up over 300 yards passing against them a little over two weeks ago. They have since dropped to eighth in the NFL overall.
The Buccaneers have a balanced system and are near the middle of the pack on both offence and defence. Josh Freeman has done a good job leading the team at quarterback and tight end Chris Cooley is one of the most respected players in the NFL at his position.
But as mentioned, they're one of the league's most underrated teams, which means they find ways to win without putting up big numbers.
Although the Ravens have built their reputation on their defence, they do boast an array of offensive weapons. Joe Flacco has settled into his role as the team's offensive leader under centre, and Anquan Boldin has become his number one target since coming
over from the Arizona Cardinals during the off-season. Ray Rice is still a reliable work horse running the ball and has already chalked up over 1000 all-purpose yards this season.
What to expect
Raheem Morris might think his team are the best in the NFC, but the truth is they are not. They are a second-tier team at best and their plus-3 point differential, given their 7-3 record, is evidence of that. Their inadequacies will catch up with them eventually.
The Ravens have the ability to strike fear into the heart of their opponents where the Buccaneers play like a team that's just happy to be where they are. Baltimore is also playing at home where they are undefeated this season.
Ravens will win 27-19.
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