Lamar Jackson and Ravens overwhelm Buccaneers in MNF win

TAMPA, Fla. – The Baltimore Ravens made it clear Monday night that they are the best team in the NFL and that quarterback Lamar Jackson looks like the best player in the league. While the Kansas City Chiefs remain the NFL's only undefeated team, the Ravens have won five straight games, including a 41-31 victory over the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During this winning streak, Baltimore has defeated three current division leaders – Tampa Bay, the Buffalo Bills and Washington Commanders – by a combined score of 106-64.

Jackson threw five touchdown passes and combined for 333 yards, improving his campaign for the NFL's third Most Valuable Player award. Running back Derrick Henry ran for 169 yards, which is the fourth time in five games that he has surpassed the 100-yard mark. The Ravens' offense remains the No. 1 in the NFL and delivers explosive plays in the passing and running games.

After trailing 10-0, Baltimore scored 34 unanswered points and recorded its league-leading fifth straight game with 27 or more points – the longest current streak in the NFL.

Baltimore Ravens (5-2)

QB distribution: Jackson continued his dominance in the NFC, improving to 23-1. This is the best interconference record since 1970, when the AFC and NFC were founded. For him it was also another outstanding performance in front of a national audience. As a primetime starter, Jackson has an 18-5 record, the best of any quarterback since the 1970 merger.

Amazing statistics: The long pass came back for Jackson. His 49-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman in the third quarter was the third touchdown pass of Jackson's seven-year career to travel at least 45 yards through the air and his first in two years. Bateman became the first Ravens player since John Brown in 2018 to throw multiple balls downfield from at least 30 yards in a single game.

Worrying trend: In a year, the Ravens have gone from a team that rarely gave up big plays to a defense that can't stop them. Mike Evans' 25-yard touchdown catch on the first drive was the 19th reception of 25 or more yards allowed by Baltimore – the most in the NFL in seven games this season. In 17 games last season, the Ravens allowed just 22 completions of 25 or more yards, the second-fewest in the league.

Most surprising performance: Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey recorded multiple interceptions in a game for the first time in his eight-year career. Humphrey hit Baker Mayfield in the end zone in the second quarter, which was converted into Justice Hill's 18-yard touchdown catch. On Tampa Bay's next possession, Humphrey Mayfield intercepted again, but injured his knee while losing the ball and was later ruled out. Humphrey has four of Baltimore's five interceptions this season. –Jamison Hensley

Next game: at the Cleveland Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS, Sunday)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3)

Buccaneers quarterback Mayfield hit Pro Bowl wide receiver Evans for a 25-yard touchdown on the first drive, and the defense sacked Jackson twice on consecutive plays to take a 10-0 lead. But everything fell apart on both sides when the 11-year veteran receiver left the game with a hamstring injury midway through the second quarter. They couldn't recover from that. Receiver Chris Godwin was later injured and carted off the field with 43 seconds left in the game.

The Bucs didn't lose ground in the NFC South as the Atlanta Falcons also lost to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, but they missed an opportunity to make a statement on the national stage against the reigning MVP. A win this week against Atlanta would give them a chance to separate themselves after their Week 5 heartbreak on Thursday night. But could they do it without Evans, who entered Week 7 leading the league in touchdowns with six?

Silver linings: Entering Monday night, the Ravens were giving up 59 rushing yards per game. Midway through the second quarter, the Bucs had already gained 59 rushing yards. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen used running back Rachaad White in the screen game, Sean Tucker for straight rushing and Bucky Irving for a mix of both. They generated 108 rushing yards and 87 receiving yards in the first three quarters and finished the night with 125 rushing yards.

Worrying trend: Once again, the middle of the field was a vulnerable spot for the Bucs' defense, especially with tight end Mark Andrews scoring two touchdowns and making things particularly difficult for safety Jordan Whitehead. According to ESPN Research, Jackson went 8 of 9 for 148 yards, with two passing touchdowns between the numbers in the first half.

Biggest surprise: Nothing involving Jackson should be a surprise, but the Bucs' defense has given up five passing touchdowns in a game only two other times since Bowles' arrival in Tampa in 2019 – in a 39-37 loss to the Houston Texans last year and a 40-34 loss to the Seahawks in 2019. – Jenna Laine

Next game: vs. Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m. ET, CBS, Sunday)