Lamar Jackson put on a masterful performance, throwing five touchdowns and leading the Baltimore Ravens to a thrilling 41-31 comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football. Despite falling behind by 10 points early in the game, Jackson spearheaded the Ravens’ attack, throwing for 281 yards while completing 17 of 22 passes without an interception.
The victory extended Baltimore’s winning streak to five games and improved Jackson’s remarkable record against NFC teams to 23-1—the best mark by a quarterback against an opposing conference in NFL history. Jackson is also 3-0 all-time against Tampa Bay.
Early in the game, Tampa Bay surged ahead, capitalizing on the 100th touchdown reception of Mike Evans’ career—a 25-yard score from quarterback Baker Mayfield. Evans, who finished with six catches for 112 yards, joined an elite group of receivers with at least 100 TD catches in their first 11 seasons, a group that includes Hall of Famers Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Marvin Harrison, and Terrell Owens.
However, the Buccaneers’ early lead soon evaporated as Jackson began dissecting the Tampa Bay defense. He threw two touchdowns to tight end Mark Andrews, first from 9 yards and later from 4 yards, shifting the momentum in Baltimore’s favor. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman also contributed with a 49-yard touchdown reception, one of his four catches that totaled 121 yards.
Running back Derrick Henry had a standout night as well, rushing for 169 yards on just 15 carries. He added to the Ravens’ scoring surge with an 11-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter, helping push Baltimore’s lead to 41-18. Justice Hill also caught an 18-yard touchdown pass as the Ravens overwhelmed the Buccaneers with big plays.
The Ravens continue to lead the NFL in rushing yards, amassing 1,476 on the ground so far this season. With 243 rushing yards on Monday night, they became only the fourth team since 1980 to eclipse 1,400 rushing yards in the first seven games of a season—joining the 1984 Chicago Bears, 2006 Atlanta Falcons, and 2019 Ravens in the record books.
Despite Jackson’s dominance, the Buccaneers did not go down quietly. Mayfield, who finished 31 of 45 for 370 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, led two late scoring drives. A successful onside kick recovery gave Tampa Bay hope of mounting a dramatic comeback, but Baltimore held on to secure the victory. It was the second time this season that the Ravens failed to recover an onside kick, a weakness they will look to address moving forward.
The win pushes the Ravens to 6-1 on the season, while the Buccaneers fall to 4-3. Tampa Bay also suffered a major setback, losing their top two receivers—Evans and Chris Godwin—to injuries during the game. Jackson’s stellar performance, however, ensured that the Ravens remained firmly in control of their destiny as one of the top teams in the NFL.
Jackson’s historic play continues to solidify his legacy as one of the most dominant quarterbacks in the league. He now holds the NFL record for the best winning percentage against an opposing conference, a mark that speaks to his consistent brilliance under the brightest lights.
