5 Bucs to Watch Against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8

After two-consecutive road games, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are back on their home turf in a Thursday Night Football prime-time showdown against the Baltimore Ravens. The Buccaneers have lost four of their last five games, the most recent being a humbling loss to the Panthers in Charlotte, garnering disillusionment. Throughout walk-throughs this week on a quick turnaround, it has been back to the drawing board for Tampa Bay in preparation for Thursday night. Under the national spotlight, the Bucs will strive to propel themselves forward. Both Week Eight contestants are in similar situations. At a 3-4 record, the Bucs are tied for first place in the NFC South with the Falcons and hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Ravens, at a 4-3 record, are also tied for first place in the AFC North with the Bengals and hold the head-to-head tiebreaker with Cincinnati. Both will seek to strengthen their grip on their respective divisions. Tampa Bay has not played a consistent game during the 2022 slate and will look to do so against the unabashed, run-centric Ravens at Raymond James Stadium. There are many matchups and individual performances that could weigh heavily on the outcome of the Bucs-Ravens clash in Week Eight. Here is a closer look at five Buccaneers to observe on Thursday.

The biggest key for the Buccaneers on Thursday will be maintaining gaps to try and limit speed-threat quarterback, Lamar Jackson. No opponent can replicate the elusiveness of Jackson during practice through scout team simulations and when it comes time for gameday, Jackson’s quickness is unpredictable. Jackson is the only quarterback in NFL history to record two, 1,000-yard rushing seasons. The dynamic playmaker is fifth in the NFL in rush yards (510) and sixth in the NFL in rushing since entering the league in 2018 (4,813) regardless of position. He is the only non-running back among the top 20 in each span. He possesses rare mobility that allows him to break contain and extend plays. Jackson consistently evades defenders in the open field and makes sensational, highlight-reel plays on a regular basis. He is a threat to break for a long run on any carry and has developed as a passer. Jackson can make off-platform throws and beat coverage with placement. With no Antoine Winfield Jr. this week (concussion) for the Bucs, Mike Edwards will have a diversified role. He will split time in the slot according to Todd Bowles and will have a crucial role in containing Jackson on…