Praise is coming from all over for a Baltimore Ravens offense that just a month ago was criticized for lacking an identity.

“Good luck finding an offensive category that doesn’t have the Ravens in first place,” said legendary quarterback and Fox Sports analyst Tom Brady. “You name it, they’re at the top.”

NBC “Football Night in America” analyst Jason Garrett, a longtime NFL coach, said unequivocally that the Ravens have the best offense in the league.

The numbers support that claim. The Ravens (4-2) rank first in total yards (453.7) and rushing yards (205.3) per game. They also top the NFL in third down (51.5 percent) and red zone (75 percent). They are also first in offensive DVOA (defense-adjusted value above average).

As they prepare for another stern test Monday in prime time against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2) at Raymond James Stadium, Ravens players and coaches downplayed the accolades and praise they’re receiving.

“I try to put it into perspective. It’s not hard for guys to remember what was said four weeks ago or five weeks ago,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “Sound is noise. New sound is new sound, it doesn’t matter.”

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson took a similar approach, saying, “We were only 0-2 and we were the worst offense in the league.”

The focus for the Ravens all week has been on the areas where they can improve. Despite scoring 28 or more in four straight games and averaging 472 yards during that span, the Ravens recognize there is plenty of room for improvement, Jackson said.

Baltimore still wants to cut back on what offensive coordinator Todd Monken, a former Buccaneers offensive coordinator, describes as “dragging,” a confluence of penalties, mental errors and lack of execution. They want to be more consistent on offense and less prone to mistakes when finishing the drive.

GO DEEPER

Do Ravens have the best offense in the NFL? They have made a case for victory over Commanders

The Ravens scored on their last five “full” drives in last weekend’s 30-23 win over the Washington Commanders, but their first three drives ended with just three points total. A Jackson pass that hit the hands of tight end Mark Andrews was intercepted, ending their first possession. Center Tyler Linderbaum’s grounder snap forced them to settle for a field goal on their second drive. They then went three-and-out on their third.

“Every week we leave a lot of points on the field,” wide receiver Rashod Bateman said.

In many ways, Tampa Bay’s defensive numbers are one of the bigger tests Jackson and the Ravens have faced. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles has had a lot of success limiting top offenses. Tampa Bay ranks 26th in yards allowed per game, but other stats suggest it has a much more formidable group than the rankings show. The Buccaneers rank a respectable 13th in defensive DVOA, and in Vita Vea, Lavonte David and Antoine Winfield Jr. they have an elite player at every level of their defense.

“A very good defense that plays hard and flies to the ball. I think they’re solid all around – very solid,” Ravens running back Derrick Henry said. “Probably one of the best defenses we’ve faced this year.”

During game weeks, we explore some of the storylines, matchups and questions the Ravens face leading up to the game. This week’s first and ten:

1. Jackson and the Ravens offense has been deadly with play action this season. They’ve called play-action on just over 32 percent of Jackson’s dropbacks, and Jackson has completed 72.9 percent of those passes for 592 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions, according to TruMedia. Jackson’s quarterback rating after play-action is 127.2. Those numbers feel notable this week as the Buccaneers compete mightily against game action. They rank 29th in expected points added and opponent quarterback rating when defending play-action. The Buccaneers also have the third-highest blitz percentage in the league, and Jackson has punished blitzes this season.

2. Baltimore is approaching exclusive company with its run game. With 168 rushing yards on Monday, a number the team has reached in all but one of its six games, the Ravens would become the fourth team since 1980 to reach at least 1,400 rushing yards in seven games. The Ravens could also become the first team in the Super Bowl era to post at least 150 rushing yards and a touchdown in each of the first seven games. Standing in the way is a Buccaneers defense that is allowing 113.3 rushing yards per game.

GO DEEPER

AFC North Whiparound: Still bullish on division, swirling trade winds, contract regrets

3. Washington went all out against Henry last week, and the Commanders still couldn’t stop him with the game on the line. Expect a similar approach from Bowles, whose defense loves to load up at the line of scrimmage to take away the point. According to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, the Buccaneers had more than eight defenders in the box on 34 percent of their opponent’s offensive plays. That’s more than any team except the Cleveland Browns.

4. In a game featuring two of the four highest-scoring teams in football, breaking field goal attempts can feel like a win. The Ravens have the best red zone offense in the league, scoring touchdowns on 75 percent of their possessions inside the 20. The Buccaneers rank ninth (65.2 percent). Tampa Bay has had much more success than Baltimore in keeping teams out of the end zone. The Buccaneers rank 12th in red zone defense (48 percent), while the Ravens rank 25th (66.7). Both teams will move the ball. This game will likely be decided from the 20-yard line and in.

5. The Ravens have always respected Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. They attempted to sign him during the 2023 offseason when there was uncertainty surrounding Jackson’s contract status. Mayfield wanted a better shot at a starting job, which he got in Tampa, where he revived his career. Clearly, the Ravens will see a better Mayfield (with a much better supporting cast) than the guy they faced twice a year in Cleveland. The Ravens have faced Mayfield nine times. They won six of those meetings. In his career, Mayfield has a 58.9 completion percentage against the Ravens with 13 touchdown passes, 11 interceptions and an 80.3 quarterback rating.

Baker Mayfield leads the NFL with 15 touchdown passes through six weeks. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

6. Mayfield leads the NFL with 15 passing touchdowns despite rarely going deep. He ranks 30th out of 31 qualified quarterbacks with an average of 5.6 air yards per attempt. However, Mayfield is adept at working the short and medium areas. He has two matchup nightmares at his disposal in wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The Ravens have struggled to defend the middle of the field all season, and Godwin is one of the best players in football. He leads the league with 43 receptions and is third with 511 receiving yards. Evans will see a lot of Brandon Stephens and Nate Wiggins on the outside. Stephens and Wiggins were sticky in coverage, but they had trouble finding the football. Evans excels at making contested catches.

7. One of the focuses for the Ravens defense this week has been their tackling. Godwin in particular has shown the ability to make the first man miss and pick up yards after the catch. Godwin leads all NFL players with 328 yards after the catch. He had 105 of his 125 receiving yards coming off the receiving end last week. Thirty of his 43 receptions were first-time failures. He will probably see a lot of Marlon Humphrey in the final show on Monday evening.

8. If Rachaad White is healthy, the Buccaneers will have a three-headed offense that also includes rookie Bucky Irving and second-year undrafted free agent Sean Tucker. Tucker, the reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Week after his 192 yards and two touchdown performance against New Orleans, is a guy the Ravens know well. The former Syracuse standout was born in Owings Mills, Maryland, the location of the Ravens’ headquarters. He played high school football at Calvert Hall, just over a 25-minute drive from the Ravens’ Under Armor Performance Center.

Scoop City Newsletter

Free, daily NFL updates delivered straight to your inbox.

Free, daily NFL updates delivered straight to your inbox.

To register

9. Bateman and Buccaneers star safety Winfield likely won’t be paired together too often on Monday. But at least for Bateman, it will be special if they are. The two were teammates for two years at the University of Minnesota, and Bateman talked about last week how excited he was to play against Winfield for the first time in the NFL. Another Raven who might overtake Winfield before the game is safety Kyle Hamilton. In May, the Buccaneers made Winfield the highest-paid safety in the sport and signed him to a four-year, $84.1 million extension. Hamilton will certainly threaten — and likely exceed — that number if he and the Ravens come to the negotiating table.

10. The Ravens have until 4 p.m. Monday to make roster moves, and their most interesting decision is whether to activate veteran slot cornerback Arthur Maulet, who would be making his season debut. Maulet had his knee examined during the preseason and tightened his hamstring earlier this month after returning to practice. This week he returned to training on a limited basis. The Ravens want to be careful with Maulet and avoid another setback, but it will certainly be tempting to get him back on the field after a very talented passing offense. The Ravens will be without linebacker Malik Harrison (groin), which could prompt them to move recently signed linebacker Kristian Welch from the practice squad. They also may not have return specialist Deonte Harty (knee), but they would probably feel comfortable relying on running back Justice Hill and wide receiver Tylan Wallace as their primary returners. If running back Rasheen Ali (ankle) is unable to play, the Ravens would likely be forced to add Chris Collier to the game-day roster.

Prediction

Raven 27, Buccaneers 24

Games billed as potential shootouts tend to turn into defensive battles. It’s hard to see that happening here, though. The Ravens and Buccaneers play so well on offense, and their defense has struggled at times this season. This game has a ‘whoever has the ball last wins’ feel. It’s just hard to go against the Ravens right now. Jackson, who is 22-1 against NFC teams as a starter, is at the top of his game — and Baltimore has the ultimate closer in Henry.

(Top photo: Sam Hodde / Getty Images)