The Baltimore Ravens went to Tampa with a mission when they faced the Buccaneers. They were coming off of a loss to the Indianapolis Colts and wanted to get off to a fast start. The Ravens vs Buccaneers game resulted in the Ravens jumping to a 28 – 0 lead in the first quarter and a final score of 48 -17. The plan was to get Torrey Smith involved this week. Smith delivered with two touchdowns early in the game. The Buccaneers cornerbacks made no effort to jam Smith at the line and as a result, Joe Flacco was able to find him on slants for two quick touchdowns.
Steve Smith Sr. also got in on the action as he caught a 56 yard pass on play action from Flacco. He got away with a subtle push off of Bucs corner Alteraun Verner. Flacco had five touchdowns in the first half, a career high. He also found rookie receiver Michael Campanaro for a touchdown on a seam route. Campanaro is only 5-9 but he did an excellent job of climbing the ladder and making the 19 yard catch, his first as a pro for the touchdown. Kamar Aiken also made a jumping touchdown on a 15 yard pass from Flacco.
Defensively, the Ravens dominated the Bucs offensive line. Terrell Suggs had one sack and was a nightmare for right tackle Anthony Collins. He consistently got pressure on Bucs quarterback, Mike Glennon. Elvis Dumervil (1.5 sacks) and Pernell McPhee (1 sack) had constant pressure also. The Bucs were only able to muster up 14 rushing yards 87 passing yards as they were shut out in the first half.
The tide turned somewhat as the second half started. The Buccaneers scored on their first three drives. Glennon had two touchdown passes and rookie kicker Patrick Murray hit a 47 yard field goal.
Random Thoughts
- Rookies Michael Campanaro (WR) and Crockett Gilmore (TE) recorded their first receptions as a pro. Campanaro was active for his first game due to an injury to wide receiver Marlon Brown. His first catch was a 19 yard touchdown.
- Second year receiver Kamar Aiken scored his first touchdown as a pro on a 15 yard catch in the end zone. He was removed from the game due to a hit to the head from Bucs safety Mark Barron after making a catch on a deep in breaking route. He is being evaluated for concussion symptoms.
- Joe Flacco set a career high with five passing touchdowns. The last Ravens quarterback to throw at least five touchdowns in one game was Tony Banks against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 10, 2000.
- Steve Smith Sr. moved into 17th place all time in receiving yards, passing former Washington Redskins great Art Monk. He registered his fourth 100 yard game this year.
- Jimmy Smith recorded his first interception of the season. That interception was the first by a Ravens defensive back this season. Haloti Ngata leads the team with two interceptions.
- Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb left the game at the end of the first half after landing awkwardly while defending a pass. He returned to start the second half. Expect him to be limited in practice next week.
- Justin Forsett added to his already NFL leading 5.9 yards per carry as he had 14 carries for 111 yards, an average of 7.9 yards per carry.
The Ravens return home for a matchup with the Atlanta Falcons on October 19th for a duel of 2008 Draft Class quarterbacks. Matt Ryan was the third overall selection while Joe Flacco was the 18th selection. Ravens players and coaches will wear pink items throughout the game, including cleats, gloves, hats, wristbands, Gatorade towels and more. Ravens staff, family members and volunteers will distribute over 50,000 pink ribbons to fans as they enter M&T Bank stadium gates on Sunday before the Ravens’ designated Breast Cancer Awareness game.
