The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3) fell to the Baltimore Ravens (5-2) 41-31 Monday at Raymond James Stadium.
Baker Mayfield and the Bucs marched down the field on the game's opening drive, which ended in a 25-yard TD pass from Baker Mayfield to Mike Evans. That touchdown grab was the 100th TD catch of Mike Evans' career. The Bucs led the Ravens 7-0 early. The Buc's defense came up big, sacking Lamar Jackson twice on their first drive of the game. Tampa Bay's offense put up three more points courtesy of a 23-yard field goal made by Chase McLaughlin with two seconds left in the first quarter. The Bucs led 10-0 after one quarter of play.
In the second quarter, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens found paydirt early, connecting with Mark Andrews on a 9-yard TD pass with 12:29 left in the first half. The Ravens defense picked off Baker Mayfield in the back of the end zone, which allowed for Lamar Jackson's offense to find their groove. Jackson connected with Justice Hill on an 18-yard passing TD, giving the Ravens a 14-10 lead with 4:23 left in the second quarter. Justin Tucker's 28-yard field goal extended the Ravens lead to 17-10 with four seconds left in the first half.
The Ravens continued to have success on offense in the third quarter; Justin Tucker added another field goal, this time from 52 yards out, and the Ravens led 20-10 with 12:20 left in the third quarter. The Ravens were not done as QB Lamar Jackson finds Rashod Bateman who scores on a 49-yard TD catch, extending Baltimore's lead, 27-10 with 7:25 left in the third quarter. Derrick Henry helped propel the Ravens offense down the field as he broke off a massive run, setting up a 4-yard TD pass from Lamar Jackson to Mark Andrews on 4th down. Baltimore led 34-10 with 2:53 left in the third.
It took the Bucs a while to get back on the scoreboard in the second half, as Baker Mayfield connected with Rachaad White on an 11-yard TD pass with 11:24 remaining in the game. Tampa Bay had a successful two-point try, and Baltimore led 34-18. The Ravens weren't done, and neither was Derrick Henry. Derrick Henry scored on a 13-yard catch and run, extending the Ravens lead to 41-18. Bucky Irving scored on a one-yard TD run; the Bucs trailed 41-24 with 3:46 left in the game. Baker Mayfield's offense got another opportunity and scored on a 23-yard TD pass to Rachaad White after the Bucs recovered the onside kick. The Bucs trailed 41-31 with 1:58 left in the game.
The Buccaneers now prepare to face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, October 27, in Tampa, Florida. The kickoff time is 1 PM ET, and you can hear the game on 97.9 WXTB-FM - The Mighty 98 Rock.
PHOTO COURTESY: GETTY IMAGES