Baltimore Ravens Grades, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Edition
By Brett Foote
Oct 12, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) and inside linebacker Daryl Smith (51) get pumped up as they work out prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Defense: A
We just finished discussing what in the world was going on with the Raven’s defense in regards to sacks, and they decided to show us up by having a sack party in week six. The defense recorded 5 sacks, 14 hits, and 20 hurries as everybody teed off on a Bucs team that was down big from the start.
Brandon Williams, Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, Daryl Smith, and Pernell McPhee recorded sacks, while just about everybody else got at least one hit on Mike Glennon. The D added an also astonishing 19 stops as they shut down the Buc’s ground game as well. It was almost a flawless performance from a unit that has been one of the best in the NFL this year.
Except, of course, in coverage. Only two defensive players received a negative grade in week six – Matt Elam and DeAngelo Tyson. Filling in for Chris Canty, Tyson played 36 snaps and was largely ineffective against both the pass and the run. The only stat he was able to record was one hit on a team that racked up the stats on Sunday.
Lardarius Webb bounced back from his poor performance last week and allowed a mere 3 receptions on 5 targets for 27 yards. Webb batted down a pass as well that he almost intercepted. Jimmy Smith continued his dominant play by recording an interception and giving up 6 receptions on 10 targets for 68 yards.
Next: Special Teams