TAMPA, Fla. – Baltimore Ravens’ dynamic quarterback Lamar Jackson tied a career-high with five touchdown passes and the Ravens held off a late Tampa Bay rally to render a 41-31 decision on Monday Night Football.
Jackson completed 17 of 22 passes for 281 yards as Tampa Bay led 10-0 at the end of the first quarter, but Baltimore scored on its next six drives and took a 34-10 lead with 2:53 remaining in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, Monday evening cost more than the 10-point loss as the Buccaneers lost two of the game’s top wide receivers, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to injuries.
Evans suffered a hamstring injury early in the second quarter on his stretch for a touchdown catch in the end zone.
Godwin had an ankle injury with 59 seconds remaining as Tampa Bay had gotten the football after a Ravens punt and the Buccaneers were trying to scissor into their 10-point deficit.
MRIs for both players this week could tell their stories for the continuation of the 2024 season.
After the game, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles was asked why Godwin was still in the game, having to be carted off the field, with 59 seconds remaining.
“You could say that because he got hurt,” explained. Bowles. “We don’t second guess. We got our guys; we’re playing everybody we got. It’s unfortunate he got hurt and we feel bad about that, but he’s a football player and he wanted to be in the game just like Baker (quarterback Mayfield) and everybody else.”
Evans opened scoring with his 23-yard touchdown catch on the game’s first drive which gave Tampa Bay a 7-0 lead.
“It’s the terrible part about this job, but we have to come together for them and play better and win games and just carry on like they would,” said rookie tight end Cade Otton, who led the Buccaneers with eight catches for 100 yards, both career highs for catches and receiving yardage.
With the injuries to Evans and Godwin, Otton and running backs Rachaad White and Bucky Irving become more of a focal point as Mayfield completed 31 of 45 tosses for 370 yards and three touchdowns.
He hit White for scores from 11 and 23 yards in the fourth quarter as the Buccaneers cut into the 34-10 deficit.
“Running back room, tight end room and the rest of our receivers,” commented Mayfield. “Everybody has to step up. Obviously, those two guys are a huge part of our production on offense.”
For Baltimore, cornerback Marlon Humphrey went down with a knee injury after picking off Mayfield on two successive drives, once in the end zone.
Ravens Fly to Fifth Consecutive Win: Jackson is potentially at the top for his third NFL Player of the Year Award as he has engineered Baltimore to five wins after the opening night loss to Kansas City. He has 15 touchdown passes against only two interceptions in these opening six encounters.
His 18-yard touchdown pass to Justice Hill with 4:23 remaining in the first half gave Baltimore a 14-10 lead which they never relinquished.
“It’s just play after play after play of him making big-time plays and helping this team win games,” said tight end Mark Andrews, whose two scoring catches made him the franchise leader in receiving touchdowns. “He does it better than anybody in the league, and we’re so fortunate to be with him and just try to help him out.”
Jackson found Andrews for touchdown catches of nine and four yards. He opened up the game up in the third quarter with his mobility as he hit wide receiver Rashod Batemon on a 49-yard TD pass to increase the advantage to 27-10 midway through the third quarter.
“It looked like it was going to be two-man (coverage), but 31, Winfield, dropped – kind of buzzed and poached – and ‘Bate’ (Bateman) just did the rest,” said Jackson. “I just had to get him a good ball.”
Running back Derrick Henry was a complementary piece in the offense as he rushed for 169 yards on 15 carries.
He had an 81-yard sprint up the left sideline, which set up Jackson’s second touchdown pass to Andrews. Jackson was key with a block that sprang Henry, who also followed a Jackson block on a 39-yard sprint that set up his 13-yard touchdown catch.
“Henry made a move and cut back across the field,” explained Jackson of Henry’s 81-yard run. “I’m just trying to get him in the end zone, so it’s like, ‘I got you.’”
