McCoy starting to heat up
Anwar Richardson, The Tampa Tribune, published 29 November 2010

Gerald McCoy is starting to have an impact after a slow start. McCoy had three tackles and two sacks against Baltimore. It is the second consecutive week McCoy has recorded a sack and it was the first multisack game of his career.

Despite his personal achievements, McCoy was unhappy after the game. "It doesn't matter. I don't care," McCoy said. "I'll give all of that back for a W. That doesn't mean anything to me. I'm a team guy. Whatever we did up front, it wasn't enough to win. That's all that matters to me, getting a W."

Mason picks on Talib
Bucs opponents have not shied away from Talib, and Mason showed why during the first half.

Mason had seven receptions for 74 yards and one touchdown during the first half as Baltimore led 17-3 at halftime. Six of Mason's receptions were against Talib, while his other catch was a 10-yard touchdown against Tampa Bay's zone coverage.

"I think it just happens," Mason said. "You know, you read the defense and you go from there. We've got so many guys that are able to catch the ball, the defenses just have to try to pick and choose what they're going to stop."

Dancing machine
There is one thing Bucs players said they were looking forward to Sunday. Seeing Ray Lewis dance. Tampa Bay's last visit to Baltimore was in 2002 and only Ronde Barber was on the team then. Most of Tampa Bay's young players grew up watching Lewis on TV but never saw his pregame dance in person.

As Baltimore's defense was introduced before Sunday's game, Lewis was the final player to come out of the smoking tunnel. All of Tampa Bay's players huddled to watch Lewis dance with fireworks in the background until he was done.

Crowder active on left side
Tim Crowder made his third start at left defensive end for the Bucs and made an immediate impact. On second-and-9 from Baltimore's 49-yard line, Crowder sacked Flacco for a 5-yard loss in the first quarter.

DE Kyle Moore missed his third straight game with a sore shoulder and was among several Bucs inactives, including CB Elbert Mack, FB Erik Lorig, WR Preston Parker, QB Rudy Carpenter, T Will Barker, T Derek Hardman and DT Frank Okam.

Extra points
Davin Joseph sustained a foot injury in the first quarter and was replaced by Jeremy Zuttah. Joseph would not expand on his injury when asked after the game but did not wear a protective boot and could walk without crutches.

Sean Jones sacked Flacco in the third quarter, his first sack since Nov. 8, 2009, against Dallas when he played for Philadelphia.
This was the second consecutive game Tampa Bay did not turn the ball over and the fourth time this season.
TE Ryan Purvis made his first career start.
Tampa Bay played 11 rookies against Baltimore, marking the sixth consecutive game the Bucs played at least 11 rookies.