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          NFL Nation

          Rapid Reaction: Baltimore Ravens

          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterOct 12, 2014, 04:02 PM ET
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              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
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          TAMPA, Fla. -- A few thoughts on the Baltimore Ravens' 48-17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium:

          What it means: The Ravens responded to their worst offensive performance of the season by producing their best. The 48 points scored is tied for the second-most in team history. It marked the ninth time in the franchise's 19-year existence that the Ravens scored over 40 points in a game and their first time since the 2012 season opener. With their second win in three road games this season, the Ravens matched their road-win total from a year ago.

          Flacco on fire: Joe Flacco became the fastest player since the NFL-AFL merger to throw five touchdowns in a game. His fifth touchdown pass -- which was a 56-yarder to Steve Smith -- came just 16:03 into the game, shattering the old mark set by the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger, who threw five touchdowns against the Ravens 28:09 into a game in 2007.

          Droughts are over: Jimmy Smith became the first Ravens defensive back to get an interception this season, jumping a route to pick off Mike Glennon on the Buccaneers' opening drive. The Ravens were the last NFL team to get an interception from a defensive back, and that turnover led to the Ravens' second touchdown. Then, late in the second quarter, linebacker Terrell Suggs got his first full sack of the season. That ended a six-game drought for him.

          Stock watch: Rising -- wide receiver Torrey Smith. After scoring one touchdown in his first five games, he reached the end zone twice in the first two drives Sunday. He didn't get pressed at the line and he made the Buccaneers pay on two slants of 15 and 9 yards.

          Game ball: Joe Flacco. Who else, really? The NFL could've given him the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award after the first quarter. Flacco finished with 21-of-29 passing for 306 yards. His five touchdowns were a career best and matched the franchise mark. Flacco's passer rating of 145.9 was a career best.

          Forsett reaches 100: Running back Justin Forsett produced the third 100-yard rushing game of his seven-year career. It was his first in five seasons. His 52-yard run on the opening drive was the Ravens' longest one of the season.

          Applying the pressure: The Ravens matched their sack total for the entire season when they got Glennon five times. They had only five in the first five games of the season. Elvis Dumervil had 1.5 sacks, and four others had at least a half-sack.

          What's next: The Ravens return home for their only game at M&T Bank Stadium in October. They face the Atlanta Falcons in a week when the main storyline will be the class of 2008 quarterbacks -- Flacco and Matt Ryan.