NFL Rankings Week 12: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a 4-1 record on the road this season and face perhaps their stiffest road challenge this week in Baltimore.

The Ravens and Bucs are evenly matched in win/loss records at 7-3 and are closely matched in statistics, except for passing offense and rushing defense, where the Bucs are ranked 22nd and 29th, respectively.

That deficit could be the reason for the seven and a half point odds favor bestowed upon the Ravens.  

But statistics don’t take snaps, grab handoffs, catch passes or make tackles; odds makers don’t coach. Obviously 11 players on two teams do the fast work every down that generates points and rankings, but it’s always prudent to match team strengths and weaknesses.   Then it’s just play the game every second for 60 minutes.

Next week, the youthful Buccaneers will be challenged again when they meet the 8-2 Atlanta Falcons at home in Raymond James Stadium.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Remaining 2010 Schedule
Games: Three home, three away

Baltimore Ravens (7-3) (away)
Atlanta Falcons (8-2) (home)
Washington Redskins (5-5) (away)
Detroit Lions (2-8) (home)
Seattle Seahawks (5-5) (home)
New Orleans Saints (7-3) (away)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3)

Rankings according to www.NFL.com :

Offense
Rushing 12th   =   117.8  yards per game   
Passing 22nd  =  207.2 yards per game
Total  23rd   =    325.0  yards per game

Defense
Rushing 29th   =   136.5 yards per game
Passing  6th   = 200.8  yards per game
Total  16th    = 337.3  yards per game

Baltimore Ravens (7-3)

Offense
Rushing  13th  =   116.6  yards per game
Passing 14th  =  231.6 yards per game
Total 12th  =  348.2 yards per game

Defense
Rushing  9th  =  101.8  yards per game
Passing  10th   = 210.0  yards per game
Total 8th   = 311.8 yards per game

Ravens rank 13th in rushing offense, Bucs rank 29th in rushing defense.

Bucs rank 12th in rushing offense, Ravens rank 9th in rushing defense.     

Ravens rank 14th in passing offense, Bucs rank 6th in passing defense.

Bucs rank 22nd in passing offense, Ravens rank 10th in passing defense

Photo credit: Dwight Drum @ Racetake.com