Thursday Night Football Odds, Picks & Predictions: Ravens vs. Buccaneers (Week 8)
With losses in four of their previous five games, the Buccaneers seem to be breaking down from the inside out. When the Buccs (3-4) take on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens (4-3) on Thursday night, Tom Brady and the team will try to get things together, as they’re just about in must-win mode.
Let’s take a closer look at how things might shake out Thursday night in Tampa.
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NFL Week 8 Thursday Night Football Odds, Picks & Predictions (Ravens vs. Buccaneers)
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
Details
- Opening Line: Buccaneers -1 | O/U 43.5
- Current Line: Ravens -1.5 | O/U 45.5
- Last meeting: December 16, 2018 – Buccaneers 12, Ravens 20
Overview
An interim head coach and a third-string quarterback were in charge of the Panthers, who were the source of the Buccaneers most recent defeat and one of the worst of Brady’s career. In their 21-3 loss to the Panthers during Week 7, the Buccs were 2 for 12 on third downs. They averaged 2.9 yards per run and are now averaging a league-low 3.0 per carry at 64.4 rushing yards per game.
Brady has thrown just eight touchdown passes through the first seven games this year in what has been one of his weakest starts to a season ever. To put it in further context, to this point last season, Brady had 21 touchdowns. He is operating behind an improvised offensive line that is still in transition.
Despite having a foot issue, rookie Luke Goedeke is anticipated to start Thursday. Third-year backup Nick Leverett is also anticipated to contribute. Wide receivers Mike Evans (ankle) and Julio Jones (knee) were both limited in practice on Tuesday while TE Cameron Brate (neck) and WR Russell Gage (hamstring) were absent for the second day in a row.
In the Ravens’ 23-20 victory over the Browns on Sunday, Jackson only passed for 120 yards while adding 59 yards on the ground. With 510 yards of rushing on the season, the former NFL MVP is fifth among all players in the league. At running back, Gus Edwards made his comeback from a ruptured ACL on Sunday, rushing 16 times for 66 yards and a pair of touchdowns which tied a career-high.
In both the practice on Tuesday and the walk-through on Monday, Edwards (knee) was a limited participant. The Ravens are dealing with the injury bug themselves, as Mark Andrews (knee), Ronnie Stanley (ankle), Rashod Bateman (foot), Calais Campbell (sickness), Josh Bynes (quad) and other players did not participate in practice on Tuesday.
Bottom Line
To me, this one comes down to the injuries in the secondary for both teams.
Since Antoine Winfield Jr. – a Pro Bowl safety – sustained a concussion on Sunday and has yet to practice this week, Tampa Bay’s defense is probably going to be without him on Thursday. In addition to Winfield Jr, the Buccaneers are even more depleted in the secondary with Mike Edwards and Keanu Neal missing practice time this week. Sean Murphy-Bunting (quad) and cornerback Carlton Davis III (hip) have not participated in practice this week.
As for the Ravens, they should be just fine in the secondary, as corners Marcus Peters (quad) and Marlon Humphrey (hamstring) both participated fully in practice on Tuesday.
Look for Brady to pick up his third straight loss for the first time in 20 years.
Pick: Ravens -1.5
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