The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to the visiting Baltimore Ravens 41-31 at Raymond James Stadium in primetime on Monday. The Buccaneers came out firing on all cylinders in the first quarter and raced to a 10-0 start. Tampa Bay scored on its opening possession for the fourth consecutive game, culminating in a 25-yard Mike Evans touchdown. After the Bucs dominated time of possession and outgaining the Ravens 140-8 in net yards during the first frame, the Ravens then scored 27 unanswered points as the Bucs had five-straight scoreless drives.
Offensive Overview
The Buccaneers got off to a hot start as Baker Mayfield orchestrated a methodical eight-play, 70-yard scoring drive that resulted in an Evans' 25-yard touchdown. An 18-yard pickup by Rachaad White out of the flat and a 15-yard gain for Jalen McMillan off a fly sweep helped set up the touchdown for No. 13. On the play design, Sterling Shepard went in motion and drew safety Marcus Williams on his route, allowing a one-on-one for Evans. The Bucs' deep threat gained separation from Brandon Stephens on a rolled corner route to give the Bucs an early 7-0 lead. The Bucs had to settle for a field goal on the following possession as a Chris Godwin touchdown was nullified by a holding penalty. Mayfield threw two interceptions in the second quarter, with Marlon Humphrey on the receiving end of both. Overall, Mayfield completed 31 of 45 passes for 370 yards, three touchdowns and the aforementioned picks as Tampa Bay's offense posted 481 total yards.
The Buccaneers' three-headed monster in the backfield once again hummed. The Ravens fielded the best run defense in the NFL heading into the Week Six matchup and Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker combined for 226 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. White led the ground attack with 40 yards on 10 carries and also gained 71 yards on six catches, scoring on catches of 11 and 23 yards in the fourth quarter. Irving added 77 yards from scrimmage and scored on a one-yard rush with four minutes left in regulation. It was an effective collective blocking effort on the edge to seal run lanes as Evans, Cade Otton, Godwin and Shepard got in on the action. Before McLaughlin's field goal on the second possession, Irving stuck his foot in the ground and showcased an understanding of the linebacker's leverage for optimal yardage. Otton brought in a team-leading and career-high eight receptions for a career-high 100 yards as he made several physical grabs throughout the game. As he extended his arm to make contested grabs, Otton took multiple hits as he moved the chains.
Defensive Output
At halftime, the Buccaneers had held the Ravens to 69 rushing yards. However, things shifted in the second half as Derrick Henry exploded on runs of 81 and 39 yards in the second half. He finished with 169 yards on 15 totes and quarterback Lamar Jackson ran for 52 yards. Overall, Jackson completed 17 of 22 passes for 281 yards and five touchdowns, without an interception for a near-perfect passer rating of 158.1.
Antoine Winfield Jr. totaled a team-leading 10 tackles (one for loss), one quarterback hit and 1.0 sack. With his sack, Winfield Jr. notched his first sack of the season and increased his career total to 16.0. Yaya Diaby finished with five tackles (two for loss), one quarterback hit and 1.0 sack. His sack marked his second of the season and increased his career total to 9.5. On the first defensive series, Diaby came underneath on a Bowles' twist and took down Jackson, which led to third-and-19 for Baltimore. Winfield Jr. continued the trend on third down, firing off the edge as a free runner on a blitz out of a loaded look.
Injury Update
Nightmare became reality for the Tampa Bay offense. In the second quarter, Mike Evans exited the game with a hamstring injury. Baker Mayfield delivered a pass to Evans but the future Hall of Fame receiver was unable to hold onto the ball for a touchdown. He stayed down after the play, gripping his leg. Evans was helped off the field and was later ruled out. Todd Bowles confirmed that Evans is not expected to be back before the team's Week 11 bye. Disaster struck again under the final minute in regulation as the Bucs rallied against the Ravens. Chris Godwin sustained a dislocated ankle as he made a first down conversion and was carted off the field, surrounded by teammates. Bowles confirmed on Tuesday via zoom that Godwin will undergo surgery and will likely miss the remainder of the season, leaving open the possibility of a playoff return.
