Lamar Jackson and Ravens dominate Buccaneers in MNF victory

TAMPA, Fla. — The Baltimore Ravens made a strong case Monday night that they are the most productive team in the NFL, and quarterback Lamar Jackson gave the impression of being the best player in the league. While the Kansas Town Chiefs remain the NFL’s only undefeated team, the Ravens have won five straight games, including a 41-31 victory over the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Throughout this winning streak, Baltimore has crushed three wave group leaders – Tampa Bay, Buffalo Bills and Washington Commanders – by a combined score of 106-64.

Jackson threw five touchdown passes and combined for 333 yards, improving his campaign to earn the NFL’s third Most Deserving Player award. Derrick Henry operating again He rushed for 169 yards, which is the fourth performance in five games in which he has surpassed 100 yards rushing. The remainder of the Ravens’ offense Negar. 1 in the NFL, making explosive plays in the passing and working game.

Trailing 10-0, Baltimore scored 34 unanswered points and recorded its league-leading fifth immediate game with 27 or more points – the longest streak of surges in the NFL.

Baltimore Ravens (5-2)

QB Breakdown: Jackson continued his dominance of the NFC, improving to 23-1. This is the most productive interconference document since 1970, when the AFC and NFC were created. It was also another stellar performance for him in front of a nationwide target market. Jackson is 18-5 as a starter in primetime, the best quarterback since the 1970 merger.

Surprising Statistic: The long walk returned for Jackson. His 49-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman in the third quarter was the third touchdown pass of Jackson’s seven-year career that traveled at least 45 yards into the wind and the first in two years. Bateman became the first Ravens player with more than one reception of at least 30 yards downfield in a game since John Brown in 2018.

Worrying development: In the span of a year, the Ravens have gone from a team that barely gave up big plays to a defense that couldn’t shut them down. Mike Evans’ 25-yard touchdown reception on the opening score was the 19th reception of 25 yards or more allowed by Baltimore, which is the most in the NFL through seven games this season. In 17 extreme season games, the Ravens only allowed 22 completions of 25 yards or more, which became the second-fewest in the league.

Sudden maximum efficiency: Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey recorded more than one interception in a game for the first appearance in his eight-year career. Humphrey intercepted Baker Mayfield in the end zone in the second quarter, which turned into an 18-yard landing reception by Justice Hill. On Tampa Bay’s next possession, Humphrey intercepted Mayfield again, but injured his knee on the surrender and was ruled out. Humphrey has 4 of Baltimore’s 5 interceptions this season. – Jamison Hensley

Next recreation: at Cleveland Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS, Sunday)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3)

buccaneers quarterback Mayfield found Pro Bowl great receiver Evans for a 25-yard touchdown on the opening field, and the defense sacked Jackson twice on consecutive plays for a 10-0 win. But things fell apart on both sides of the ball when the 11-year veteran receiver left the game with hamstring trauma midway through the second quarter. They couldn’t recover from that. Catcher Chris Godwin was injured and was carted off the field with 43 seconds left in the game.

The Bucs haven’t lost ground in the NFC South since the Atlanta Falcons also lost to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, but they didn’t see an opportunity to make a difference nationally against the reigning MVP. A win on this date against Atlanta would give them a chance to break away from their Year 5 heartthrob on Thursday night. But could they do it without Evans, who entered year seven and had a league-leading six touchdowns?

Silver lining: Heading into Monday night, the Ravens had lost 59 rushing yards on a per-game basis. The Bucs had already gained 59 rushing yards midway through the second quarter. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen used backs Rachaad White in the screen game, Sean Tucker for immediate running and Bucky Irving for a combination of both. They generated 108 yards rushing and 87 yards receiving over the first 3 quarters, completing the night with 125 yards rushing.

Worrying development: Once again, the center of the farmland was a vulnerable spot for the Bucs defense, especially with tight end Mark Andrews, who scored two touchdowns and made things particularly difficult for defensive back Jordan Whitehead. Jackson was 8 of 9 for 148 yards, with two touchdown passes among the numbers in the first half, according to ESPN Research.

Biggest surprise: Nothing involving Jackson should be surprising, but the Bucs defense has only allowed five touchdown passes in a game twice more since Bowles arrived in Tampa in 2019, in a 39-37 loss in Houston’s extreme season. Texans and in a 40-34 loss to the Seahawks in 2019. – Jenna Laine

Next recreation: vs. Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m. ET, CBS, Sunday)