Here’s what the Baltimore Sun sports activities employees needed to say instantly after the Ravens’ 27-22 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Thursday night time’s Week 8 sport at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Childs Walker, reporter: Once they remembered who they have been speculated to be, the Ravens dominated the Buccaneers.
They ran seven instances for 27 yards within the first half, 24 instances for 206 yards within the second half. They performed many of the sport with out Lamar Jackson’s high two targets, Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman, however offensive coordinator Greg Roman known as a terrific second half, leaning on run-pass choices and discovering intelligent methods to get the ball to the crew’s finest remaining playmaker, Devin Duvernay. Rookie Isaiah Likely stepped in for Andrews and performed the very best sport of his profession.
The Ravens’ protection made the comeback doable, urgent Tom Brady into an inefficient sport. Veteran outdoors linebacker Justin Houston has made an enormous distinction since he got here again from a groin damage in Week 7.
The Ravens have subjected us to loads of unpleasant offense in current weeks, however their first-half efficiency took the cake. They got here away from a pair of red-zone possessions with three factors complete, their working sport was non-existent and Jackson not often had time to look downfield towards Tampa Bay’s blitzes. But they figured it out and got here up with an enormous win. They will play simply as soon as between now and the third weekend in November, which means their injured gamers may have time to get nicely for a stretch run filled with sub-.500 opponents.
Ryan McFadden, reporter: In the primary half, it appeared the Ravens have been on the verge of a dreadful night, because the offense struggled to get something going whereas tight finish Mark Andrews suffered a shoulder damage. In the second half, they performed on one other stage, outscoring Tampa Bay 24-12. Rookie tight finish Isaiah Likely regarded just like the participant we noticed within the preseason, whereas Lamar Jackson performed at an MVP-level within the second half.
The Ravens’ capacity to run the ball dictated Thursday’s end result. After speeding simply seven instances within the first half, the Ravens outgained the Buccaneers 206-18 on the bottom within the second.
C.J. Doon, editor: This sport just about advised the story of your complete Ravens season. The protection regarded pathetic on the Buccaneers’ opening drive, then pissed off Tom Brady for three-and-a-half quarters. The offense stalled within the first half, notably within the purple zone, then put collectively a few of its most spectacular drives of the season to take the lead. Lamar Jackson combined in some head-scratching moments with some dazzling performs. Injuries piled up, once more. It all added as much as a much-needed win forward of an 11-day break earlier than a Monday night time sport towards the Saints. Considering how bleak issues regarded within the first quarter, this was a formidable turnaround.
Tim Schwartz, editor: Considering all the things … the torpid first half, accidents to a few of their high offensive weapons in tight finish Mark Andrews, vast receiver Rashod Bateman and working again Gus Edwards, and taking part in towards Tom Brady on the highway on a brief week, this can be a monster win for the Ravens. This crew has so many flaws, particularly with accidents once more beginning to mount, however they’ve Lamar Jackson at quarterback, and typically that’s sufficient. It took just a few accidents however they lastly received Devin Duvernay the ball in house on an end-around for a late landing, and preseason celebrity tight finish Isaiah Likely confirmed that dominant August was no fluke along with his first profession landing and 77 yards on six catches. Even vast receiver Demarcus Robinson made some key performs. The Ravens are lucky they’ve some additional time to relaxation up with only one sport in 23 days. The schedule seems very favorable for Baltimore to make a transfer within the AFC North.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com