Jeff Wolfson

Halftime notes as Ravens lead Bucs 17-3

by Dan Kolko View Comments

The Ravens got two touchdowns in the final three minutes and 15 seconds of the first half to take a 17-3 lead into the break.

Here are a few quick-hit notes on the first 30 minutes of play:

- I guess Joe Flacco and Derrick Mason kissed and made up. A week after their sideline scuffle in Carolina, Flacco targeted Mason 11 times in the first half, connecting on seven passes for 74 yards and a touchdown. I don't know if the two men shared a hug before the game or what, but they're clicking so far.

- The Ravens are getting a solid pass rush today, which is leading to much better play on the back end. They've allowed just 64 passing yards through two quarters, and while they don't have a sack, the front-seven has done a nice job of getting Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman out of his comfort zone and getting him to move his feet.

- For the second straight game, the Ravens are facing a team with one of the worst run defenses in the league, and for the second straight game, Ray Rice has been unable to get on track. Rice has just 21 rushing yards on eight carries. That's an average of 2.6 yards per carry. Yuck.

- T.J. Houshmandzadeh is starting to win over Ravens fans. The veteran wide receiver made two very nice grabs in the first half, one on a toe-tapping play along the sideline, and one with a corner draped all over him over the middle. Both plays went for first downs. Houshmandzadeh is starting to get more playing time, and while he isn't posting huge numbers, he seems to be getting more comfortable in the Baltimore offense.

- Jarret Johnson has been all over the field today, posting eight tackles and getting a good pass rush off the edge. He's had somewhat of a rough first 10 games this season, but the outside linebacker is having a monster game today.

blog comments powered by Disqus