After some early relative struggles, the Ravens would have their way with the Buccaneers (-2.5) on Thursday night. In an eventual 27-22 win, Baltimore imposed its will on Tom Brady’s struggling crew by outscoring Tampa Bay 24-12 in the second half.
And while the usual suspects like Lamar Jackson played a massive role in flipping the game on its head, one play by Tyler Linderbaum in the early third quarter perfectly demonstrated when exactly the Ravens found their groove.
As Jackson found open space on what would become a 25-yard run, Linderbaum found Pro Bowl-level linebacker Devin White in the open field. He proceeded to treat him like a blocking sled, driving White 15 yards downfield before planting the defender in the grass.
Check out center Tyler Linderbaum pancake his man 15 yards downfield. Talk about finishing the block. 😳
— Garrett Downing (@gdowning14) October 28, 2022
That is one merciless block and everything you want your offensive linemen to do in the open field. Naturally and unsurprisingly, Linderbaum’s mentality served the Ravens well. They went on to score a touchdown on the same possession as they wrestled final control of the matchup.
Oh, and just for posterity: This wasn’t the only play that Linderbaum handled White.
nice zone run from the Ravens with the Center Tyler Linderbaum getting on Devin White in the blink of an eye pic.twitter.com/BlHTk9rwAT
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) October 28, 2022
No wonder the Ravens won. They had their center in Linderbaum simply finishing his blocks on a premier linebacker exactly the way they’re taught.
NFL fans loved seeing Linderbaum play to the whistle with his block on White
Not just any man. That’s devin white https://t.co/uJrYlq2XF3
— Ravens Revenge (@dshauntv) October 28, 2022
Beautiful play!! https://t.co/eQTU0Ls76b
— Coach Holmes (@tgns_training_) October 28, 2022
“He’s a cheat code to a video game”
Sheeshhhhh😮💨 https://t.co/R00GjFv4Xg— Me-Shell (@GMichellee4) October 28, 2022
— Matt McClure (@the_COBRA66) October 28, 2022
The dirty work nobody recognizes https://t.co/jW2fL08KOm
— 🧸 (@iamtyesean) October 28, 2022
Linderbaum probably has been the best rookie OL this season, which isn’t too surprising considering he was probably the best college lineman last season as well.
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) October 28, 2022
Tyler Linderbaum is pushing Devin White around.
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) October 28, 2022
Tyler Linderbaum is putting in that work. This guy is getting to the second level and doing a number on Devin White.
— Maurice Jones (@MoeJones2k) October 28, 2022
Devin White is going to see Tyler Linderbaum in his nightmares 😳
— Tom Krasniqi (@TKras) October 28, 2022
