National Football League

Bucs vie to climb out of division bottom in home matchup against Ravens

Published Oct. 11, 2014 11:00 a.m. ET

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TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrive at Raymond James Stadium different than when they last left. Almost a month ago, they walked off the field after a surprise Week 2 loss to the Austin Davis-led St. Louis Rams. Then, the complexity of the task facing Lovie Smith only started to become clear.

Josh McCown was still the Bucs' choice at quarterback, though there were questions about his staying power in the role after throwing three interceptions through two games. Mike Glennon was a mere spectator. The Bucs were 0-2 after losing to a pair of reserve quarterbacks. Little seemed right.

Many miles later, many things have changed. There was a 42-point blowout loss at Atlanta, a stunning victory at Pittsburgh and a rough overtime defeat at New Orleans. There was McCown's right thumb injury at the Georgia Dome, Glennon's final-minute poise at Heinz Field and the defense's development as a troubling weakness at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Finally, the Bucs will be on familiar ground Sunday, when they host the Baltimore Ravens at 1 p.m. The season is just five weeks old, but the recent travel has taken its toll.

"We had a tough three-game road stretch there," Smith said. "Excited about coming home, playing in front of our home fans too. For our fans, we'll have a better football team on the field this week when we come back home."

This is the Bucs' final game before their bye, so it would help to gain momentum heading into a quiet week. Even with an average NFC South, the standings look less kind than they would have if the Bucs had left New Orleans with a victory. They're two games behind the division-leading Carolina Panthers, and after squandering an 11-point fourth-quarter lead last Sunday, they're the lone team in the NFC South with a 1-4 record.

Sunday, the Bucs will return home and try to climb from the bottom, all the miles and change behind them.

Here's a closer look at the Bucs' Week 6 matchup against the Ravens ...

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Steve Smith vs. Bucs' secondary

The decision to sign Smith looks savvy now. He's fifth in the NFL in receiving yards with 463, and prior to being held to 34 yards on five catches in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, he had produced no fewer than 71 yards receiving each game before then. He already has three 100-plus-yard receiving games this year, including a season-high 139 when he torched his former team, the Panthers, in a Week 4 victory. The Bucs are suspect against the pass -- they rank 30th in the NFL by allowing 292 yards through the air per game -- so Smith could have a big day against a familiar foe from his years in the NFC South.

TRENDING UP

Ravens: Names may change over time, but this is still a strong Baltimore defense. The Ravens rank third in scoring defense by allowing just 16 points per game. It would be a feat for the Bucs to continue their momentum on the scoreboard this Sunday, after totaling 31 points in the loss to the Saints. Baltimore is coming off a loss after three consecutive victories, so don't expect motivation to be an issue for the visitors.   

Buccaneers: Tampa Bay's defense gave Drew Brees fits last Sunday by forcing three interceptions. A similar effort would be helpful against another one of the NFL's best behind center, Joe Flacco. Flacco has thrown interceptions in three of five games this season --- he has three picks total --- so the Bucs could have an opening to create takeaway chances. Danny Lansanah's star at linebacker has risen with a team-high two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns. Keep an eye out for No. 51 on Sunday.

TRENDING DOWN

Ravens:  What's up with Baltimore's struggles against the pass? The Ravens are 26th in the NFL by allowing 269.2 yards per game through the air. Glennon has improved from the pocket each week, so don't be surprised to see him connect for large gains Sunday. Vincent Jackson had a season-high 144 yards receiving on eight catches against the Saints. The more success Glennon enjoys, the more confidence he will gain.

Buccaneers: Questions about Doug Martin's productivity were a topic of conversation this week, and the third-year Boise State product could use a big game to quiet critics. Tampa Bay ranks 24th in the NFL by averaging 90.4 rushing yards per game. Martin has just 94 yards on 37 carries this season, and things don't look good for him against Baltimore. The Ravens rank eighth in the NFL by allowing 91.4 yards per game. But if he can find a way to break through, the Bucs will benefit.

INJURY REPORT

Ravens: Probable --- S Matt Elam (shoulder); LB Daryl Smith (knee); C Jeremy Zuttah (ankle); Questionable -- G Kelechi Osemele (knee) Doubtful -- WR Marlon Brown (pelvis); Out -- DE Chris Canty (wrist); DT Timmy Jernigan (knee); T Eugene Monroe (knee)

Buccaneers: Probable -- LB Mason Foster (shoulder); Questionable -- CB Johnthan Banks (neck); C Evan Dietrich-Smith (illness); DE Larry English (hamstring); WR Mike Evans (groin); WR Vincent Jackson (rib); Doubtful -- QB Josh McCown (right thumb); Out -- LB Jonathan Casillas (hamstring); S Dashon Goldson (ankle)

DID YOU KNOW?

The Bucs and Ravens have played each other four times, with the most recent meeting in 2010. Tampa Bay has faced only the Houston Texans less (three games).

QUOTEBOARD

 "I liken him to (Cleveland quarterback Johnny) Manziel a little bit, you know? He actually said that to me, which was funny." -- Quarterbacks coach Marcus Arroyo, when speaking about Glennon's improving mobility Wednesday. Glennon completed a pass for 17 yards to Jackson while scrambling in the third quarter of the loss to the Saints.

"It's definitely good to be back. We were joking around earlier during walk-throughs on what it's like to have cadence again, because we've been going three weeks on the silent count and we're finally back to a cadence." -- Glennon, when speaking about a return to Raymond James Stadium on Sunday. The Bucs haven't played at home since losing to the Rams in Week 2.

"The time I did think about quitting was when I was at about my fourth workout with a team, and I had told my Dad I was done playing. I went home and he met me at the airport and made me get on that flight to my next workout, so that was a real big turning point for me to see my family and my friends pushing me to keep going. So I think that's what prepared me." -- Linebacker Danny Lansanah, when speaking about his nomadic NFL career Wednesday. He leads the Bucs with two interceptions.

"Pressure bursts pipes, that's all pressure gets you. Nobody looks at the stat sheet and says, 'Man he had a million pressures.' It's all about that sack, and we have to get them on the ground, we definitely do." -- Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, when speaking about the Bucs' lack of sacks. Tampa Bay is tied for 19th in the NFL with nine sacks this season.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bucs have a bye in Week 7. They return to action by hosting the Minnesota Vikings at 1 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Raymond James Stadium.

You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.

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