Heading into Monday night's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Ravens have momentum and history on their side.
The Ravens (4-2) have won four straight games and they've beaten the Buccaneers (4-2) five straight times. However, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield is red hot and Baltimore's pass defense will face another stiff test.
Here are my thoughts on the Ravens heading into Week 7, all in 50 words or less:
- Returning to Tampa Bay should bring back fond memories for Tyler Linderbaum. In 2022 when the Ravens beat the Buccaneers, Linderbaum manhandled former Tampa Bay linebacker Devin White all night. At times, White simply looked overmatched.
- Linderbaum will also see an old acquaintance and former Iowa teammate, Tampa Bay's three-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs. As high school wrestlers in Iowa, Linderbaum lost to Wirfs on several occasions. But in the state playoffs, Linderbaum took down Wirfs in a legendary match.
- Linderbaum has the third-highest Pro Football Focus grade among centers (85.9) heading into Week 7. He's a major reason the offensive line has gelled more quickly than many expected. The decision to draft Linderbaum in the first round in 2022 continues to pay off.
677: Tyler Linderbaum Talks About Blocking for Derrick Henry, the Gelling O-Line, Lamar Jackson's Pre-Snap Calls & More
Ravens C Tyler Linderbaum joins team insiders Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing to talk about what's clicked with the offensive line, his viral block in Tampa Bay, reaching Pro Bowl status, his leadership on a young line, what motivates him to keep improving, Marshal Yanda's influence, and more.
- Rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten has settled in since becoming a starter in Week 3. He's been staying after practice to work with veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley. Given an opportunity, Rosengarten has seized it.
- Before the season started, who expected fans to be more concerned with the Ravens' pass defense than their offensive line? Just another reminder that every year produces developments you can't anticipate.
- Tackling will be critical for Baltimore's secondary against Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin, who leads the NFL in yards after catch. The Ravens had serious trouble getting Ja'Marr Chase on the ground in Week 5. Godwin can also turn a short pass into a huge play.
- The Ravens' secondary can play better, but they've faced some top tier quarterbacks – Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels, Dak Prescott. Monday they'll see Mayfield, who entered Week 7 leading the league in touchdown passes with 15. It won't be easy.
- Zay Flowers is on a roll, and that's a problem for Tampa Bay. Can Flowers top 100 yards receiving for the third straight game? It wouldn't surprise me. Not with the way Flowers is playing and not the way Lamar Jackson is playing quarterback.
- It's good to see nickel cornerback Arthur Maulet moving closer to returning from his knee/hamstring injuries. Maulet practiced fully on Saturday for the first time all week. Maulet's tenacity is infectious. His pending return will make the secondary rotation stronger.
- Since the start of the 2023 season, the Ravens are 9-2 on the road. They take an us-against-the-world mentality to road games, and playing in prime time often brings out their best. The Buccaneers are playing well, but I like the Ravens' chances.
