The Baltimore Ravens had star quarterback Lamar Jackson to thank again as they came from behind to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 41-31.
Jackson, the twice MVP, threw for 281 yards and five touchdowns as the Ravens extended their winning streak to five games.
The Bucs faded after taking a 10-0 lead with help from the 100th touchdown reception of Mike Evans’ career.
Evans departed with a hamstring injury after Baker Mayfield tried to connect with him in the end zone again, and late in the fourth quarter with the game out of reach, leading Bucs receiver Chris Godwin was carted off the field with a left ankle injury.
“Early indication is that it’s dislocated. It doesn’t look good,” said Bucs coach Todd Bowles, who defended the decision to still have Godwin on the field in the closing minutes.
“He’s a player. We’e trying to win the ballgame. We were still down 10, we’re trying to get extra points and kick another onside kick. It just happened,” Bowles added.
“With Mike (Evans) going down, we didn’t have that many receivers left as it was, so we play what we got.”
.@KingHenry_2 on @Lj_era8 as his lead blocker 💜🔥
📺: Sunday at 1 pm CBS pic.twitter.com/mhOlGR2mk1
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 22, 2024
Jackson completed 17 of 22 passes without an interception, including two TD throws to Mark Andrews. He also tossed scoring passes of 49 yards to Rashod Bateman, 18 yards to Justice Hill and 11 yards to Derrick Henry, who rushed for 169 yards.
“Trying to win – that’s all that’s on my mind,” Jackson said after the AFC North co-leaders scored on seven of nine possessions.
“I’m proud of him. I’m happy for him. He’s a great leader, a great player,” coach John Harbaugh added.
“He’s the ultimate competitor on a level with the greatest competitors I’ve ever seen.”