Advertisement

10 Buccaneers to watch in Monday matchup vs. Ravens to end Week 7

glenn erby
·3 min read
Aug 26, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) runs with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) runs with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens are hitting the road for a must-watch offensive showcase against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on ESPN's Monday Night Football. The Buccaneers are 14-13 all-time in Monday games, including winning two of three contests since 2021.

Tampa enters Week 7 tied for the best record in the NFC South.

With kickoff fast approaching, we're looking at ten Buccaneers to watch.

DB Tykee Smith

Oct 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith (23) celebrates an interception of a ball intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) with cornerback Tyrek Funderburk (24) and linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (9) during the fourth quarter at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Among qualifying rookies heading into Week 7, regardless of position, Smith ranks eighth in PFF overall grade (76.1) and second in PFF run-defense grade (83.6). Smith leads the NFL in slot snaps from the slot at 193, 12 more than the next closest defender, Alontae Taylor. Among the 49 players with at least 50 slot coverage snaps, Smith ranks 10th in PFF coverage grade (73.8). He ranks third in contested targets from the slot (33) and 11th in open-target rate allowed (51.5%).

WR Mike Evans

Oct 27, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches a pass defended by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches a pass defended by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Evans is just one score away from joining the 100-touchdown club.

Evans now has five career seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards and 10-or-more receiving touchdowns, which tie him for the fifth-most in NFL history.

LONGEST STREAKS OF SEASONS WITH 5+ RECEIVING TD - NFL HISTORY

1t. Tim Brown (1991-2001) 11

1t. Cris Carter (1991-2001) 11

1t. Marvin Harrison (1996-2006) 11

1t.Terrell Owens(2000-2010) 11

1t. Jerry Rice (1986-1996) 11

6t.Mike Evans (2014-2024) *9

6t. Four Other Streaks Tied 9

Baker Mayfield

Aug 26, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) looks to the sidelines against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) looks to the sidelines against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Entering Week 7, Baker Mayfield has the highest passer rating by a Tampa Bay quarterback through six games of any quarterback who has started at least five of the team's first six games (109.4).

OL Tristin Wirfs

Sep 22, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) blocks against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Sep 22, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) blocks against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

According to Pro Football Focus, Wirfs has not allowed a quarterback hit or a sack across 235 pass-blocking snaps this season.

RB Sean Tucker

Oct 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (44) runs away from the tackle of New Orleans Saints safety Johnathan Abram (24) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Oct 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (44) runs away from the tackle of New Orleans Saints safety Johnathan Abram (24) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Second-year undrafted running back Sean Tucker recorded a career-high 192 yards from scrimmage and two total touchdowns in Week 6, amassing 136 rushing yards on 14 carries (9.7 average) and 56 receiving yards on three receptions. Entering the game, Tucker had totaled 30 rushing yards and 23 receiving yards in his career. Tucker became the fourth running back (sixth time) in franchise history to amass 192+ scrimmage yards and score multiple touchdowns in a single game, joining Doug Martin (2012, twice), Warrick Dunn (2000, twice), and James Wilder (1984).

WR Chris Godwin

Oct 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) runs in for a touchdown during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Oct 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) runs in for a touchdown during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Chris Godwin leads the NFL in receptions (43), receiving downs (30), and yards after catch (324) while tying for first in receiving touchdowns (five) and ranking second in catch percentage (81.1% - min. 25 targets) and third in receiving yards (511).

CB Zyon McCollum

Oct 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) tackles Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) in overtime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Oct 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) tackles Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) in overtime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

ZYON MCCOLLUM THROUGH WEEK 5 RANK AMONG CORNERBACKS THIS SEASON(min. 30 defensive targets where designated*)

Defensive Targets: 36

Lowest Completion Percentage When Targeted: 44.4% (1st*

)Passes Defended: 10 (t-1st)

Receptions Allowed: 16 (2nd*)

Passer Rating When Targeted: 67.4 (2nd*)

Pro Football Focus Grade: 89.4 (2nd)

Receiving Yards Per Coverage Snap: 1.0 (3rd*)

EPA/Target" -0.39 (3rd*)

Interceptions: 2 (t-3rd)

Total Receiving Yards Allowed: 204 (5th*

LB Lavonte David

Oct 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) is taken out of bounds by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Oct 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) is taken out of bounds by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

LAVONTE DAVID: 3 Career Games vs. BAL 32 tackles (two tackles for loss), 25 solo tackles, 2.0 sacks, three quarterback hits, one fumble recovery, and one pass defended.

RB Rachaad White

Jan 21, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) runs with the ball for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half in a 2024 NFC divisional round game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) runs with the ball for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half in a 2024 NFC divisional round game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

SINCE 2023 - AMONG RBs White is No. 3 in receiving yards (676) White is No. 3 in receptions (81) White is No. 6 in scrimmage yards (1,853)

DB Antoine Winfield Jr.

Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) reacts on the field during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) reacts on the field during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Winfield Jr. is the lone defensive back with 10+ sacks, 5+ forced fumbles and 5+ fumble recoveries through their first four seasons (since at least 2000). Winfield Jr. is 1 of 4 defensive backs with 5.0+ sacks, 10+ takeaways and 350+ tackles since the start of the 2020 season.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 10 Buccaneers to watch in Monday matchup vs. Ravens to end Week 7