Ravens vs. Bucs, Live Blog

I'll be keeping up with the happenings down in Tampa (click here for real-time scoring), giving my observations in between offensive drives. Check back all game long. For my observations from the first half, click the link below.

FIRST HALF OBSERVATIONS: WIth a 17-0 lead at the half, it's hard to complain. McNair has been getting all the time he's needed in the pocket, and hasn't been sacked once. The running game has petered out after a strong start, but a lot of that is due to the Ravens having poor field position, and having to run when bottled up deep in their end of the field. Most important, there have been no mistakes, a real change for the Ravens offense. Grade: B.

On defense, could it have gone any better. The Tampa offense has been generating next to nothing. And when they did, the Ravens were able to stop them cold with two interceptions. And the Lewis sack was a great way to end the first half. Grade: A.

On special teams: Sam Koch has been booming the ball, and Stover nailed his one field goal attempt. Coverage has been competent. Grade: B.

BART SCOTT, WITH AUTHORITY: After dropping Cadillac Williams for a loss on second down, Bart Scott dropped Simms for a sack. Great way to start the second half.

TACK ON ANOTHER THREE: After a nice return from B.J. Sams, the Ravens get close enough for a 43-yard Stover field goal. 20-0, Ravens.

STOP THE BUCS INSIDE THE 10: The Bucs had their best drive of the day, making their way down the field with short passes, getting all the way inside the ten after a catch and run by Mike Alstott. They went for it on 4th and goal on the Ravens six, but Lewis got his hands on a Simms pass, and deflected it away from the intended receiver. Simms' passes have been deflected four times on the day. Still 20-0.

RAVENS ESCAPE FROM TROUBLE: It looked like the Ravens were going to be stuck deep until McNair completed a long pass to Wilcox. The drive petered out just across midfield, and Koch's punt -- which was a beauty -- rolled into the end zone.

ED REED WITH THE PICK: That's three on the day from Simms. This game is just about over, we still have a little more than a quarter to go.

MCNAIR TO WILCOX! 27-0, Ravens. Best drive of the day since the opening posession, finished off with a lob of a completion from McNair to Wilcox. That's three receptions for 52 yards and a TD for Wilcox.

I think it might be tiime to revise expectations for this team upward a bit. Meanwhile, the Bucs have thrown in the towel, benching Simms in favor of Bruce Gradkowski.

ANOTHER THREE AND OUT: Gradkowski completed one pass, and was nearly killed on a safety blitz. After the punt, Kyle Boller comes into the game.

NOT THE WAY TO START: And once he gets on the field, Boller reminds us why he was replaced. A fumbled snap from center and a delay of game call, three and out.

It must really be over when Billick lets Boller onto the field.

GOODBYE FROM TAMPA: Bucs can't move the ball, and Boller gets to run out the clock. 27-0 is the final. The first road win since November 2004, snapping an 11-game string. What a way to start the season. Even better, the Bucs blogger owes me a post where he gives us five reasons why the Ravens are better than the Bucs.

RAVENS 7 BUCS 0: Could the opening drive of the season have gone any better? A steady, time consuming drive (14 plays, 80 yards, 9:16) capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by Jamal Lewis. Some thoughts:

The Ravens offensive line has been dominating so far. They've been opening holes for both Jamal Lewis and Musa Smith, as well as giving Steve McNair all the time he needs to find his receivers downfield. McNair was only flushed out of the pocket once, and even then he was still able to get the pass off, just overthrowing Derrick Mason. My other favorite moment: There were actually enough Ravens fans in Tampa that we could hear them all shout, "Heeeap!" after Todd Heap grabbed his first reception.

THREE AND OUT: Bucs had nowhere to go, with Chris Simms managing nothing more than three yards on the ground after not being able to find a receiver on first down. Things are looking great so far.

IS THIS THE SAME TEAM? After a nice 14-yard completion to tight end Daniel Wilcox, things just fell apart for the Ravens. There was a motion penalty to Wilcox on the next play after his reception, followed by fumbles by both Smith and McNair. The silver lining: Punter Sam Koch boomed one for 56 yards and no reutrn to wrap it up.

END OF FIRST QUARTER: I'll take a 7-0 lead after one quarter. A real Jekyll and Hyde act on the first two drives. Who will we see the next time the Ravens get the ball?

MCALISTER PICK FOR TD! Simms tried to jam a ball into coverage, and McAlister took it back 60 yards for the touchdown. 14-0, Ravens. It's just getting better.

ANOTHER RAVENS STOP: Bucs head coach John Gruden asked for a spot on a third down pass play, and the refs shorted them. The result: 4th down and punt. Bend and don't break is working just fine so far.

RAVENS SHORTED THIS TIME: 3rd and long, another pass to Mason is just short. It's another three and out. 48-yard punt by Koch, 12-yard return by Tampa.

ANOTHER THREE AND OUT FOR TAMPA: Bucs can't get anything moving. Even when their receivers get open, a linebacker, a corner or a safety gets a hand on the ball. Four drives, three punts and an interception for Tampa.

RAVENS JUST SHORT AGAIN: After no gain on first and second down, McNair completed a 9-yard pass to Demetrius Williams, just short of the first down marker.

MCALLISTER BREAKS UP THE PASS: On another third and long, McAllister breaks up another pass, and another Tampa punt. Looks like McAllister is back.

ANOTHER THREE AND OUT FOR BALTIMORE: The Bucs had the Ravens backed up deep, and McNair couldn't find the receiver on second down. Bucs are slowly gaining the upper had with feild position.

NGATA, NGATA, NGATA! Haloti Ngata, the 340-pound nose tackle, takes a batted pass and rumbles 60 yards with an interception. For some reason, he rumbled out of bounds on his own before any Buc could get a hand on him, Ravens take over at Bucs 10.

TWO MINUTE WARNING: Ravens have a fourth and goal at the two after a McNair completion to Heap. Will they go for it?

"STOVERTIME": Billick takes the easy three, sending Matt Stover out to get the field goal. 17-0, Ravens.

RAVENS STUFF THEM DEEP: After a Lewis sack of Simms on first down, Michael Pittman gets stuffed twice, and the Bucs are forced to punt from deep from their own territory with less than a minute to go.

RAVENS RUN OUT OF TIME: Somehow McNair avoided the rush and found Heap for a ten-yard gain to get the Ravens into field goal position, but the clock ran down to zero. 17-0 at the half.