Mohamed Bughrara

Baltimore Ravens (5-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5), Ravens win 27-22

The Buccaneers’ bright first half suddenly vanished as the club returned to their 2022 norm, enabling the Baltimore Ravens to accomplish everything they wished for offensively. It probably doesn’t help that Tampa Bay couldn’t find any offensive consistency in the last three quarters. The Buccaneers fell to 3-5 after suffering their fifth defeat in six games, falling 27-22 at home to the Baltimore Ravens.

On Thursday night, both teams sustained serious injuries. The Ravens were without receivers Rashod Bateman (foot) and Mark Andrews (shoulder) for the first three quarters and running back Gus Edwards (hamstring) for the fourth. During the second half, the Buccaneers lost linebacker Shaquil Barrett. According to NFL Media, Barrett is believed to have suffered a torn Achilles.

This was definitely a statement game by Lamar Jackson and the Ravens to the rest of the league. Watch for the Ravens to climb back atop the AFC powerhouses.

Packers (3-4) at Bills (5-1), 8:20 p.m., NBC:

Aaron Rodgers made comments on the necessity for a change of guard among offensive skill players. He appears to be dissatisfied with the players to whom he is throwing. And it couldn’t come at a worse moment, since Rodgers appears to be getting closer to retirement with each offseason. So, despite the Packers’ defense having surrendered the least passing yards per game, their offense has struggled to generate touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Buffalo exemplifies utility. They are coming off a bye week, which may assist with their injury problems that plagued them early in the season. And Josh Allen is fresh off a quarterback battle with Patrick Mahomes in which the Bills quarterback outperformed his opponent. Buffalo must be happy across both sides of the ball. Because, although Allen has been dominant, the defense has perhaps outperformed him. According to Football Outsiders, it has the best defense in the league in terms of DVOA.