A new Pewter Report Roundtable debuts every Tuesday on PewterReport.com. Every week, Pewter reporters tackle a different tough question. This week’s prompt: Which Ravens player should the Bucs be most concerned about?
Scott Reynolds: Old man Kyle Van Noy could still be a game-breaker
Ravens OLB Kyle Van Knot and DT Justin Madebuike with Cowboys QB Dak Prescott – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The Ravens have a lot of star players, including big names like quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Derrick Henry, and inside linebacker Roquan Smith. My fellow Pewter reporters preview the challenge the Ravens present to the Bucks. I’ll focus on familiar names, but role players rather than star players. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy has played for five different teams over his 11-year NFL career, but he has really found a home in Baltimore’s scheme where he plays to his strengths as an edge rusher.
In a defense that features Smith, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and fellow edge rusher Odafe Oweh, Van Noy leads the Ravens with six sacks in six games. He is looking to improve on his career high of nine sacks, set a year ago. Van Noy is adept at using inside spin moves as well as outside spin moves, allowing him to beat offensive tackles in a myriad of ways. He makes his moves like a chess player and has two sacks in three different games this year, showing he can be a legitimate game-breaker. With a Pro Football Focus grade of 82.8, Van Noy has been Baltimore’s highest-graded defender so far this year.
At 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds, Van Noy isn’t the most physical pass rusher or the best athlete on the field. But he plays extremely hard and has accumulated a lot of experience and wisdom at age 33, so he has a series of moves that he pulls off at offensive tackles to get to the quarterback. Van Noy will be used on both sides of the line, but will primarily line up on the left side against the right tackle. Luke Goedeke looked rusty in his return game after missing four games with a concussion in Week 1. Goedeke will be fully committed against Van Noy on Monday Night Football.
Matt Matera: “Roquan Smith can take over the game”
Ravens ILB Roquan Smith – Photo Credit: USA Today
Many will focus on what the Ravens offense can do, and rightly so, but the Bucs shouldn’t ignore Baltimore’s defense and Roquan Smith either. Smith just finished his second consecutive All-Pro appearance and is the leader of that unit. The Bears native was traded to the Ravens on Halloween in 2022 and quickly acclimated to the Ravens’ defense.
The Ravens have the best run-stopping defense in the league this season, and Smith is a big reason why. He ranks in the top 10 with 59 tackles and also recorded other splash plays on the year with an interception, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
Two of Baker Mayfield’s three interceptions in his last game weren’t his fault, but we saw what the turnovers cost the Bucs in his last game and gave opponents advantageous field position. was watching. Mayfield needs to be aware of where Smith is at any given time because he can jump in front of the pass and immediately set up Baltimore’s offense in a good spot. The Bucks want to advance their game on the ground and continue the success that Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker had in New Orleans, so we’ll see what they can accomplish against Smith and a tough Ravens unit. It will be seen.
Bailey Adams: Yes, Derrick Henry is still the king
Ravens RB Derrick Henry Photo courtesy of USA Today
There’s no way not to be scared of Derrick Henry. The 6-foot-2, 247-pound running back is an absolute force, and even as he approaches his 31st birthday, he’s still a force to be reckoned with. King Henry was a valuable offseason addition to the Ravens and took Baltimore’s offense to another level. It’s an even higher level than when two-time MVP Lamar Jackson accomplished it all. He’s a big reason why the Ravens are averaging 29.5 points and 453.7 yards per game.
Through six weeks, Henry already has 704 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 119 carries. All of these marks put him at the top of the league, averaging 117.3 yards per game. His average of 5.9 yards per carry is also higher. his 87-yard rushing touchdown A few weeks ago, he was still able to shake off defenses. He’s not just big enough to run over people — though he is, too.
The Bucks did a good job of containing Alvin Kamara in Week 6 against New Orleans, but Todd Bowles’ defense hasn’t been as good at stopping runs as it was in years past. Tampa Bay is allowing 113.3 yards per game on the ground, which is down from the 119.8 rushing yards per game they were giving up heading into last week. The Ravens are PFF’s fifth-best run blocker, and the Bucks’ front office will be trying to counter that as they try to slow Henry down. If Baltimore can control the game on the ground, it will be able to keep Tampa Bay’s high-scoring offense (again, feels good) off the field.
Josh Quaipo: There’s a reason he’s the reigning MVP
Bucs OLB Joe Tryon Soyinka and Ravens QB Lamar Jackson – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Lamar Jackson is a two-time MVP and reigns supreme, coincidentally playing the most important position on the field. This should cause concern in opposing game plans. Jackson can help his team win in any way possible. As a quarterback, he ranks in the top 10 in the NFL in rushing yards. He ranks seventh in the league in passing yards with a 5:1 TD-INT ratio. Jackson is explosive and careful with the ball. With all of those yards, he ranks first in the league in turnover-deserving plays, averaging 0.9%. The focus of pro football.
The biggest concern for the Bucks is how much Lamar punishes the middle of the field. More than 40% of his throws come between the numbers, and 6 of his 10 touchdowns have come in that area of the field. We all know where the Bucks’ defense is. Struggling. Inside linebackers Lavonte David and KJ Britt make up one of the slowest tandems in the NFL, but Jackson’s athleticism is nearly impeccable. Jaden Daniels beat the Bucks in Week 1 with 88 rushing yards. Bo Nix had 47 yards and six first downs on nine carries in Week 3. Tampa Bay has allowed 15 first downs to opposing quarterbacks this year despite playing one game with Kirk Cousins.
Jackson is in a unique position where he can take advantage of the Bucs defense not only on the ground but also through the air. Head coach Todd Bowles will have to dig deep into his bag of tricks to limit his impact, otherwise the Bucks will be on the losing end of Thursday Night in 2022, the last time these two teams met. Just like in football, they could face another game where they struggle defensively. , Jackson had 238 yards and two touchdown passes while running for 43 yards and three first downs.
Adam Slivon: Zai Flowers heats up, facing nightmares
Ravens WR Zai Flowers – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The Bucs’ secondary has shown this season that it’s easier to allow big games from opposing wide receivers. Tampa Bay limited the Saints’ offensive playmakers on Sunday afternoon, but they will have their hands full on Monday Night Football. Not only will Todd Bowles’ unit have to limit ground-threat duos like Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, but they’ll also have to contain Zai Flowers, who has only improved in recent weeks. Must be.
Flowers is coming off two straight 100-yard games against the Bengals (7-111) and the Commanders (9-132). The Ravens are a high-scoring machine, and the 5-9, 175-pound receiver is a handful to put together. He is often utilized on sweeps and screens, but he also has knowledge of route routes that create separation. And when the ball is in Flowers’ hands, he is a nightmare to tackle and often makes players miss. Defense in Washington can put this idea on the back burner. his great performance on sunday.
The Bucs’ defense has thwarted top wide receivers time and time again this season. They shut down Terry McLaurin and Courtland Sutton earlier this season, but also allowed 100-yard games to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Drake London and Darnell Mooney. It goes without saying that they were lucky to avoid AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith and Chris Olave, who left Sunday’s game early with a concussion. You have to wonder how well the Bucs will be able to thwart a top-five offense, as Baltimore took the lead in the passing game thanks to its dominant run game. Specifically, Zay Flowers is the biggest aerial threat to worry about in Tampa Bay.
