Tampa Bay Buccaneers Need A Win vs. Baltimore Ravens

Since he arrived in Tampa,  Lovie Smith has been trying to make a statement. He is trying to prove that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can win.

That is a pretty wishful mindset for an awful team, but just maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel.  The Buccaneers have the pieces to the puzzle, now they just need to put it all together. This is why I put the utmost importance on their fierce upcoming matchup with Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens. Luckily, the Bucs are at home so they have that upside for themselves.

So what will it take for the Buccaneers to win? I know this is preaching to the choir, but the Buccaneers need to run the ball efficiently on the Ravens’ stifling defense. I am not saying it is going to be easy to run the ball, but the Bucs need to be committed to the run and give Doug Martin the carries he needs to succeed. The Ravens have minimal lapses on defense so when it does happen, the Buccaneers need to take full advantage.

Personally, I can see this game going one of two ways — either a closely contested battle where the Buccaneers win by three, or the other way they will lose by 21-plus. It really will come down to whether or not the Buccaneers can take advantage of the minimal opportunities that the Ravens’ defense will give them.

Tanner Bisbee is Tampa Bay Buccaneers writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @TannersGang. “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.