Baltimore Ravens (3-2 SU, 2-2-1 ATS) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-4 SU, 2-3 ATS)
NFL Week 6
Date and Time: Sunday, October 12th, 1:00pm EST
Where: Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, FL
TV: CBS
by Bob, Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: BAL +3/TAM -3
Over/Under Total: 43
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This Sunday in Raymond James Stadium, we have an AFC/NFC match-up when the Baltimore Ravens fly into Tampa to take on the 1-4 Buccaneers. The Ravens sit at 3-2 overall and enter this game as a 3 point favorite while the total points are set at 43. NFL home dogs are usually a good play, but I just do not know how much Tampa has to bring to the table. They have looked really bad the last couple of weeks. Lets take a moment to get some info and get on the right side of this game.
This game does not appear to be as “sexy” as most Sunday match-ups on the schedule, but it is always fun to bet on these. From an injury standpoint, both teams have a clean report. No listed injuries have been made public so it appears this will be an even game, with the exception of the Ray Rice suspension for the Ravens .
Tampa has been bad this year, really bad. Many experts had them as a team on the rise that was going to compete for an NFC South title. Well, after five game in, it appears Tampa is more primed for a top three draft pick rather than a winning season or playoff appearance. Tampa sits at 1-4 and do not appear to be improving very much. Yea, they nearly beat the Saints but that is a division game which is normally close, and they beat a Steelers team that I do not see winning more than 7-8 games this season. Offensively, Tampa needs help all around. They rank 29th in passing yards and 24th in rushing. Mike Glennon and Josh McKown have both seen time at the quarterback position and together they have barely broken 1,000 yards passing and 7 touchdowns. Glennon has been the more productive with his 5 TDs and 2 INTS compared to McKown and his 2 TDs with 4 INTS. It looks like Glennon will be getting most of the snaps from here on out. The running game must improve as well. The Bucs leading rusher is Bobby Rainey who only has 220 yards and one score this season. Tampa appears to be a heavy underdog on the surface, but like we have learned in the NFL….any given Sunday.
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The Ravens enter as the favorite here and rightly so. Baltimore has played pretty well this season and sits at 3-2 overall. The two losses for the Ravens were against two of the best teams in the NFL (Bengals & Colts). Baltimore is much much improved from last season, and I see them making a playoff run this year. It will more then likely be a wild card berth, but as long as you get in, it doesn’t matter. Many thought the loss of Ray Rice would devastate this offense, but the Ravens have actually been more effective than they were in 2013. Led by Justin Forsett and Lorenzo Taliaferro, the Ravens are averaging over 125 yards per game on the ground. As for the passing attack, many thought Steve Smith was done when the Carolina Panthers let him go but he has revived not only his career, but the Baltimore passing game. Joe Flacco has thrown for over 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns already this season. Steve Smith is on pace for a career year, having already caught 30 passes for 463 yards and three scores. This offense is clicking and if they can keep up their solid defense, I can see this team getting better and better each week and possibly making a run at their 2nd Super Bowl in three years.
Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: For those of you that read my articles often, you know that I love the home dogs in the NFL, however, in this case I am fading the Bucs. Baltimore is a much better team on paper, and on the field. Tampa did just put forth a great effot against the Saints, but fell just short in overtime. Fist off, the Saints are not that good this season, and secondly, I do not foresee Tampa giving that type of effort two weeks in a row. I like Baltimore to come in and win a very boring 20-10 game. PICK THE BALTIMORE RAVENS -3