Monday Night Football - Baltimore Ravens at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Odds and Picks

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are tied for first place in the NFC South with a 4-2 record. They completely dismantled New Orleans last week, but they are home underdogs per the NFL betting odds against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. Tampa Bay was routed by the only other AFC team (Denver) it has played this season, and some experts are calling for a similar result at the hands of Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. This will be the first of two Monday Night Football games in a rare mid-season treat as the Arizona Cardinals will host the Los Angeles Chargers less than an hour after kickoff.

Week 7 Baltimore Ravens at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baltimore Ravens -3.5

Tampa Bay Buccaneers +3.5

Total 49.5

There has been significant action on the Over in this game. The opening NFL betting odds set the total at 47.5, and it has since risen two points. Additionally, Baltimore was originally installed as a 4.5-point favorite, but bettors deemed this number too high with their wallets, and the Ravens currently sit as a 3.5-point favorite.

Baltimore Ravens Overview

It’s always a treat to watch Lamar Jackson, and the two-time (and reigning) NFL MVP is one of the favorites to earn the honor once again in 2024. Baltimore started the season with two straight defeats, but the Ravens have since rallied to win four straight games (all against teams that are at least decent. That has the Ravens tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers atop the AFC North standings, but most would agree that Baltimore is the team to beat.

Jackson has completed 67% of his passes for 1,529 yards (8.7 YPA) with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. He continues to be a dynamic runner with 403 yards (6.3 YPC) on the ground to go with two touchdowns, and he has only been sacked seven times in six games due to his mobility. He continues to look great despite not having a true No. 1 receiver, but the addition of veteran Derrick Henry has helped tremendously.

Henry eclipsed the 10,000 career rushing yards mark earlier this season and should be a Hall of Fame lock considering what we have seen from in his 9-year career. He has already run for 704 yards (5.9 YPC) and eight touchdowns this season, leading the NFL in both categories, and he is one of just two running backs with over 500 rushing yards to this point.

Baltimore’s maligned defense appears ready to turn the corner. Although the Ravens are still a bit banged-up in terms of depth, almost all of their starters should be good to go for Monday night. They rank No. 1 with a bullet in terms of run defense, and the secondary is much better than the current numbers indicate.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Overview

Baker Mayfield has revitalized his career in Tampa Bay. Mayfield has proven himself to be an average to above average NFL quarterback during his time with the Buccaneers, and he has completed 70.9% of his passes for 1,489 yards (7.9 YPA) with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions on the year. The former No. 1 overall pick does have great options with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin on the perimeter, but Evans is listed as questionable. Two other receivers are considered questionable for Tampa Bay, and it would be a huge loss if Evans was unable to play due to a hamstring injury.

Rachaad White is currently listed as questionable too, so Bucky Irving is likely to receive the bulk of the carries at running back. Irving is averaging 5.7 YPC compared to 3.7 YPC for White, and he’s doing that although his longest run is 32 yards compared to 56 yards for White.

The Buccaneers are hoping that Antoine Winfield Jr. will be cleared to play. Winfield Jr. is the best player in Tampa Bay’s secondary, but he missed four games with a foot injury and only recently returned to the lineup. Lavonte David and Vita Vea will start though, and they are the leaders of their position groups.

Monday Night Football Prediction

I’m tempted to go with Tampa here, but I believe Baltimore will simply be too much. The Ravens are humming on all cylinders, and this defense is keyed for a big performance.

Final Score: Baltimore 30, Tampa Bay 13