Lamar Jackson threw for 281 yards with five touchdowns, leading the Baltimore Ravens to their fifth consecutive victory with a 41-31 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night. Baltimore wide receiver Rashod Bateman contributed significantly, making four catches for a career-high 121 yards and a touchdown. Jackson completed 17 of 22 passes, showcasing his efficiency. Despite a slow start, Ravens running back Derrick Henry had an 81-yard run in the third quarter, setting up the team's fourth touchdown. Henry finished with 169 yards on 15 carries and scored his second touchdown reception of the season.
Trailing 10-0 initially, Baltimore (5-2) rallied to score 34 consecutive points. Jackson's performance improved his record to 23-1 against the NFC, the best by any quarterback against an opposing conference in NFL history. Ravens tight end Mark Andrews made two touchdown receptions, bringing his career total to 43, surpassing Todd Heap's previous franchise record of 41.
Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans caught a 25-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter but aggravated a hamstring injury in the second quarter, forcing him out for the rest of the game. Fellow wide receiver Chris Godwin was carted off the field with less than a minute left in the game. Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles confirmed after the game that Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle and is out indefinitely. "Chris is a great player and an even better person," Bowles said. "We have to move on, but our hearts are heavy."
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield expressed concern for his injured teammates but emphasized the need for resilience. "We have to have guys step up," he said. Mayfield finished the game 31 of 45 for 370 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions, and was sacked three times. Tampa Bay tight end Cade Otton caught eight passes for 100 yards, and Rachaad White caught two touchdown passes.
Baltimore opened a 27-10 lead with a 49-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Bateman in the third quarter. Henry's 81-yard run set up a four-yard scoring pass from Jackson to Andrews. A fumble by Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers allowed the Buccaneers to close the gap to 34-18. However, Henry's 33-yard run and subsequent 13-yard touchdown reception boosted the lead to 41-18. Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey had a career-high two interceptions but left the game with a knee injury.
In another Monday night game, Chad Ryland kicked a 32-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Arizona Cardinals a 17-15 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. James Conner's 33-yard reception set up the winning kick. Conner totaled 152 yards, helping the Cardinals (3-4) secure their second win in three games. Kyler Murray completed 14 of 26 passes for 145 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, adding 64 rushing yards and a touchdown. Cameron Dicker matched his career-high of five field goals for the Chargers (3-3), who lost their third game in four.
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