Ravens vs. Buccaneers: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

The first official week of preseason football kicks off with a marquee matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thursday night.

As the defending Super Bowl champions, the Ravens have revamped the roster during the offseason and look to prove the team is ready to make another run at a title despite losing some key pieces.

The Buccaneers have also made a few additions and subtractions during the summer, and Tampa Bay will be looking to start the preseason off with a victory over a dangerous opponent.

This is the perfect Thursday night game to kick off Week 1 of the 2013 preseason.

Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.

When: Thursday, August 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Watch: Not nationally televised

Live Stream: Preseason Live

Listen: Online at NFL Audio Pass 

Betting Line (via Covers)

Over/Under: 35.5; Spread: Tampa Bay (-3)

Betting preseason games is a nightmare because of all the variables that can play into the outcome, and I recommend not betting on these games unless you are absolutely sure that you have a winner.

If you have to make a wager on this game, take the over due to the low total and take the defending Super Bowl champions with the three points. These are far from locks, but a great place to start.

Injury Report (via ESPN)

Ravens

Ed Dickson, TE, Out (hamstring)

Buccaneers

Lawrence Tynes, K, Questionable (toe)

Adrian Clayborn, DE, Questionable (groin)

Luke Stocker, TE, Questionable (calf)

Darrelle Revis, CB, Out (knee)

Baltimore’s Player to Watch: Joe Flacco, QB

There are few players in the NFL that have as much pressure on them as Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. After winning the Super Bowl and reaching a deal on a six-year, $120.6 million contract extension, the expectations surrounding his performance are through the roof.

Those expectations start from Week 1 of the preseason.

Flacco will be expected to lead his team to victory often this season, but without Dennis Pitta (out for the season, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter) and Anquan Boldin (traded to San Francisco 49ers) as weapons to make his job easier, this will be a huge test for the new face of the franchise.

The Ravens have Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones on the outside and the combination of at tight end Ed Dickson and Visanthe Shiancoe, but Week 1 of the preseason will be a good barometer of where Flacco is as the leader of Baltimore’s offense.

The pressure is on.

Tampa Bay’s Player to Watch: Doug Martin, RB

The entire Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise is looking for a bounce back season in 2013, but running back Doug Martin is just trying to avoid the sophomore slump.

After amassing an astounding 319 carries for 1454 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground and 49 receptions for 472 yards and a touchdown through the air in his rookie season, Tampa Bay will need every one of those yards again this year if the team has playoff aspirations.

Martin’s success in the rushing and passing attacks and the fear he instills in defenses will directly impact how much time QB Josh Freeman gets in the pocket. The longer Freeman can extend the play, the more effective he is as a passer.

The Buccaneers' running back will have a great chance to show his worth against the ultra-tough Ravens’ front seven and prove that the sophomore slump won’t wreak havoc on his statistics.

Prediction: Tampa Bay 24, Baltimore 17

Follow @Donald_Wood