Buccaneers vs. Ravens NFL Week 7 Betting Preview

Article courtesy of BETUS. BETUS is a sportsbook partner of Pewter Report.

A pair of 4-2 teams meet when the Baltimore Ravens visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday evening. Baltimore has won its last four, while Tampa has traded wins/losses since a 2-0 start. Both share the lead in their respective (AFC North, NFC South) divisions entering the seventh week of the season.

Ravens WR Zay Flowers – Photo by: USA Today

Baltimore was a 30-23 capital-region home winner over the Washington Commanders this past Sunday ending with 484 yards of offense. The team has scored 28, 35, 41 (overtime) and 30 points, respectively, during its streak.

Meanwhile, Tampa dismissed its NFC South-rival Saints, 51-27, inside the Superdome, scoring 27 unanswered points after halftime. It was the Bucs’ third game in a row with at least 30 points.

It’s the Ravens as 3½-point favorites (total at 49½), according to NFL odds.

This is just the eighth meeting between the teams, with the Ravens leading the series, 5-2 (winning the last five).

Ravens’ Different Tact

Ravens OLB Kyle Van Noy and DT Justin Madebuike and Cowboys QB Dak Prescott – Photo by: USA Today

The success of the Baltimore Ravens used to begin with their defense. That’s no longer the case, as what was an airtight unit has been torched via the air.

Baltimore surrenders 24.8 points per game (that’s eight more than last season) and an unseemly 275.7 passing yards (next-to-last in the NFL).

Opponents can’t run on the Ravens (allowing just 59 rush yards/game), but they’ve certainly managed to throw all over them.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson (1,529 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, two interceptions,  403 rushing yards) has a ‘new’ backfield buddy in Derrick Henry (league-leading 704 yards, eight touchdowns), who has at least 130 ground yards in three of his last four games. 

Bucs’ Bloated Backfield

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: USA Today

Rachaad White began the year as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ starter in the backfield. White (187 rush yards this season) sat out last week’s game with an injured foot as the Bucs scored 51 points at New Orleans.

Bucky Irving (14 carries, 81 yards, one touchdown) and Sean Tucker (14 carries, 136 yards, one touchdown) more than compensated to the point White might lose in a game of musical chairs.

Tucker is now up to 143 yards on 16 carries, while White has added 187 yards on 51 carries. White is appearing to be the odd man out (3.7 yards/carry), while the other two halfbacks are averaging at least 5.5.

Irving’s been diplomatic. “If you have a lot of running backs that compete at a high level and go out there and win football games,  it’s always good to have guys going out and doing their jobs,” Irving said. “We’re here to win games, and if it takes three of us in a room to go out there and compete, let’s do it.”

Quarterback Baker Mayfield (1,489 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, five interceptions) was all over the place (four touchdowns, three picks) against the Saints last week.

It’s ‘Over’ Here

Baltimore is 7-2 (+350) to win the AFC, with Tampa Bay 20-1 (+2000) to win the NFC, as per NFL conference odds.

The Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers combine to average more than 59 points per game this season. As was mentioned, Baltimore’s secondary is second-rate to date.

While the Bucs’ 51-point outburst was an aberration last week, go over here.