TAMPA, Fla. -- The Baltimore Ravens are taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Chargers are facing the Arizona Cardinals on a Monday Night Football doubleheader. The Ravens have been called for six penalties for 60 yards. Lamar Jackson was sacked on back-to-back plays on their first drive, matching his season high. Baltimore's defense gave up 86 rushing yards, already the most it has allowed all season. Yet, the Ravens dug out of a 10-0 hole and an impressive start by the Buccaneers offense by scoring 17 unanswered points heading into halftime.
The difference has been Baker Mayfield's two interceptions, both by Marlon Humphrey. It is the first multi-interception game of Humphrey's career, although he paid the price. Humphrey landed on his right shoulder on the second interception and hasn't returned.
When the Ravens have protected Lamar Jackson and not committed a penalty, they've been able to move the ball on the Buccaneers. They have 233 yards of offense in the first half and Jackson is 11-of-14 for 181 yards and two touchdown passes.
Mark Andrews has been Lamar Jackson's favorite target since they were both drafted by the Ravens in 2018. After their score early in the second quarter, the Jackson-to-Andrews connection has now resulted in 34 of Jackson's 136 touchdown passes, the most he's thrown to any receiver according to TruMedia.
Cameron Dicker hit a career-long 59-yard field goal to break the scoreless tie. The Chargers are dealing with injuries at receiver, and that showed up on their second drive of the game. Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis are both out. Justin Herbert targeted Simi Fehoko on second and third down.
He threw a quality back-shoulder ball that went off Fehoko’s hands on second down. Cardinals cornerback Max Melton broke up a third-down attempt to Fehoko on an out route. Fehoko could have attacked the throw better on the third-down out route.
Who is going to make plays for Herbert in the passing game?
Both offenses have moved the ball well so far, but the two interceptions that Baker Mayfield has thrown are the difference in this game at the moment.
Plenty to play for in the second half!
Chargers are scoreless through the first quarter, but they have moved the ball well through their first two possession. They totaled 117 yards in the first 15 minutes. A Jalen Reagor fumble deep in Arizona territory ended the opening drive. Justin Herbert has been locked in through the air, completing all six of his attempts for 101 yards.
The Chargers might have to lean more into the passing game. The Cardinals are playing physically up front and stone-walling the Chargers’ rushing attack. Los Angeles running backs have just 12 yards on five carries.
There could be opportunities to attack deep. Herbert connected with Reagor on a 42-yarder before the fumble.
The Ravens screen game had been nonexistent for several years. This season, it's become a major weapon under offensive coordinator Todd Monken, as illustrated by Hill's touchdown.
Baltimore now has 195 yards on 20 targets to screen passes, the third most of any team this season. Their 9.8 yards per attempt on screens leads the league, in front of the second-place Los Angeles Chargers (8.4 yards per attempt) by more than a yard, according to TruMedia.
The Ravens-Buccaneers game started the day with a total points over/under of 50. That number moved to 51 prior to the opening kickoff and has now moved to 56.5 in live in-game betting at BetMGM.
If one of these teams scores another touchdown before halftime, this number will move above 60 points.
The Ravens-Buccaneers game starts the day with a total points over/under of 50. That number moved to 51 prior to the opening kickoff and has now moved to 56.5 in live in-game betting at BetMGM.
If one of these teams scores another touchdown before halftime, this number will move above 60 points.
Bucs’ Resilience: A Sign of Things to Come?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered Monday's game against the Baltimore Ravens already dealing with hamstring issues. He was limited last week against the New Orleans Saints with a hamstring injury He played through it against New Orleans but missed two days of practice this week before returning to a limited session on Saturday in preparation for Monday's game.
The Bucs eventually cleared him to play, and he caught a touchdown in the first quarter before leaving with the injury before halftime.
The injury is a tough blow for a 4-2 Buccaneers team that's been clicking on offense in the opening weeks of the season. If Evans misses multiple weeks, the Bucs will be forced to adjust without their top receiving option.
Ravens vs. Buccaneers: A Tale of Two Running Games
Their success on the field has translated into success in the betting market. Tampa holds a 4-2 record against the spread but has gone just 2-2 over their last four games. In contrast, Baltimore has compiled a 3-0-1 record against the spread during that same stretch, all as favorites. Their only non-cover came this past week against Washington, where they held the league's most potent offense to just 5.5 yards per play and 23 points.
The Buccaneers are coming off their best offensive showing of the year, scoring 51 points against division rival New Orleans and covering as 3.5-point road favorites.
The Buccaneers rank in the top three in EPA per play since Week 4, largely due to a surging ground game that is being powered by the three-headed monster of Sean Tucker (90.8 rush grade, first among backs), Rachaad White (85.5, sixth) and Bucky Irving (79.9, 15th). This trio has produced the highest team rushing grade (92.4), recorded the most runs of 10 or more yards (18) and amassed the most yards after contact (354) over the past three weeks.
On the other sideline, the Ravens have been achieving some of the highest marks in various offensive metrics. The combination of Lamar Jackson‘s passing and Derrick Henry‘s rushing is giving defensive coordinators plenty of sleepless nights.
Henry is tied for the NFL's best rushing grade (90.5) through six weeks. This presents a significant mismatch for the Buccaneers' run defense, which ranked 28th in team run-defense grade (48.6) from Week 1 to Week 7.
The Air Raid: Buccaneers vs. Ravens
The running game isn't the only strength of the Ravens' offense, as Lamar Jackson and his teammates have looked explosive in the passing game in recent weeks. Since Week 4, Jackson has earned a league-leading 90.5 PFF passing grade, with six big-time and no turnover-worthy plays.
While Zay Flowers has garnered much attention for his impressive performances, Rashod Bateman has quietly made significant contributions. Per PFF’s Separation Report, Bateman has created separation on 74.65% of his opportunities, the second-highest rate in the NFL this season. That ability has directly resulted in him surpassing this line in his last two games and four of his six games in 2024.
Conversely, Tampa’s coverage unit has struggled to limit explosive passes in recent weeks. Since Week 4, they have allowed the second-most receptions of 15-plus yards (22).
What’s Next: Ravens vs. Buccaneers
The Ravens will start at their 42 after a good kickoff return by Hill.
If the Bucs can escape with a win, they would be 5-2 heading into a rematch with the Falcons (4-3) in Week 8 and a chance for redemption with first place in the division on the line.
The Buccaneers wide receiver clutched his right thigh in pain after a pass breakup in the end zone and remained on the ground for several moments. He was eventually able to get up and limp to the locker room. But the Buccaneers quickly ruled him out with a hamstring injury.
The play took place on a second-quarter deep pass from Baker Mayfield on second-and-7 to the back of the end zone. Evans got his hands on the ball but dropped it on a hit by cornerback Brandon Stephens, who was in coverage.
Evans was in obvious pain as soon as he hit the turf. He didn't need help off the field, but went straight to the locker room without getting checked out on the sideline.
