Football fans still talk about the Monday Night Football clash between the Baltimore Ravens and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 21, 2024. This game had everything: a fast start, big turnovers, a legendary long run, and a quarterback throwing five touchdown passes. If you want to know exactly what happened and how each player performed, this article breaks it all down in simple terms.
The Ravens won the game 41-31 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. It was Baltimore’s fifth win in a row, moving their record to 5-2. Tampa Bay fell to 4-3 after the loss. But the final score does not tell the full story. The Buccaneers actually led early in the game before the Ravens took over completely. Let’s look at how this game played out, player by player.
How the Game Started
Tampa Bay came out strong. Baker Mayfield, the Buccaneers quarterback, completed eight of his first nine passes for 101 yards. He connected with star receiver Mike Evans on a 25-yard touchdown pass. That catch was special for Evans because it was the 100th touchdown reception of his career, a big milestone. After that score, Tampa Bay added a field goal and jumped out to a 10-0 lead.
At that point, it looked like the Buccaneers might control the whole game. But everything changed in the second quarter.
Marlon Humphrey Turns the Game Around
Baltimore cornerback Marlon Humphrey became the hero of the first half. He picked off Baker Mayfield twice in the second quarter. One of those interceptions happened right in Baltimore’s own end zone, which stopped a Tampa Bay scoring chance. These two turnovers gave the Ravens great field position and helped them take control of the game.
After the first interception, Lamar Jackson led his team on a four-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. After the second interception, kicker Justin Tucker made a 28-yard field goal. By halftime, the Ravens led 17-10. The Buccaneers never really recovered from these mistakes.
Lamar Jackson’s Big Performance
Lamar Jackson had one of the best games of his career on this Monday night. He completed 17 of 22 passes for 281 yards and an amazing five touchdown passes. He did not throw a single interception. His passer rating for the game was 158.1, which is close to a perfect score. In the NFL, a passer rating above 150 is considered an elite performance.
Jackson did not just throw the ball well. He also used his legs, rushing for 52 yards on 9 carries. This dual threat ability is what makes him so hard for defenses to stop. With this win, Jackson improved his record to 23-1 against NFC teams, the best mark by any quarterback in NFL history against an opposing conference. He also moved to 3-0 in his career against the Buccaneers.
Head coach John Harbaugh praised Jackson after the game. Tight end Mark Andrews also spoke about his quarterback’s leadership, saying Jackson makes big plays over and over and helps the team win no matter the situation.
Derrick Henry Takes Over on the Ground
If Jackson controlled the game through the air, running back Derrick Henry controlled it on the ground. Henry rushed for 169 yards on just 15 carries, an average of over 11 yards per carry. His biggest play came in the third quarter, an 81-yard run that set up another Ravens touchdown. That single run basically ended any hope Tampa Bay had of a comeback.
As a team, the Ravens rushed for 244 yards on 30 carries, an average of 8.1 yards per carry. That number is very high for a full team performance. Baltimore finished the game with 508 total yards and averaged 9.4 yards per play, even after the coaches pulled some starters late in the game once the win was secure.
Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers Offense
Baker Mayfield had a mixed game. He started hot, completing his first eight of nine passes, but he cooled off after that. He finished with 31 completions on 45 attempts. His two interceptions in the first half, both to Marlon Humphrey, led directly to 10 Baltimore points. Those turnovers were the biggest reason Tampa Bay lost control of the game.
Tampa Bay’s passing attack still put up solid numbers, with 356 passing yards on the day. However, their running game struggled more, adding only 125 rushing yards. In total, the Buccaneers gained 481 yards, which was actually close to Baltimore’s 508 yards. This shows that the game was not as one sided in terms of total offense as the final score might suggest. Turnovers and big plays made the real difference.
Injuries Hurt the Buccaneers
Tampa Bay’s night got even worse because of injuries to two of their top receivers. Mike Evans had been limited in practice during the week with a hamstring injury. He aggravated that injury in the second quarter after dropping a pass in the end zone. He limped off the field and did not return to the game.
Then, in the fourth quarter, with the game already decided, receiver Chris Godwin suffered a serious leg injury. He was carted off the field with an air cast with only 43 seconds left in the game. This injury was very serious and was expected to end his season. Losing both top receivers in the same game was a huge blow for Tampa Bay, both for this game and for their season going forward.
Why This Game Mattered
This win was important for the Ravens for a few reasons. First, it extended their winning streak to five games and kept them near the top of the AFC North division standings. Second, it showed just how dangerous Baltimore’s offense can be when both the passing game and the running game click at the same time. Averaging 9.4 yards per play against any NFL defense is a very strong result.
For the Buccaneers, the loss was a tough one. Despite gaining almost as many total yards as Baltimore, turnovers and injuries turned a close game into a blowout on the scoreboard. Losing Evans and Godwin in the same game created real challenges for their passing offense in the weeks that followed.
A Quick Look at the Key Numbers
Here is a simple summary of the main stats from the game:
Baltimore Ravens (Winners, 41 points)
- Lamar Jackson: 17 of 22 passing, 281 yards, 5 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 158.1 passer rating
- Lamar Jackson rushing: 52 yards on 9 carries
- Derrick Henry: 169 rushing yards on 15 carries, including an 81-yard run
- Team rushing total: 244 yards on 30 carries (8.1 yards per carry)
- Team total yards: 508
- Marlon Humphrey: 2 interceptions
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Lost, 31 points)
- Baker Mayfield: 31 of 45 passing, 2 interceptions
- Team passing total: 356 yards
- Team rushing total: 125 yards
- Team total yards: 481
- Mike Evans: 100th career touchdown reception, left game with hamstring injury
- Chris Godwin: left game with a serious leg injury in the fourth quarter
Final Thoughts
The Ravens vs Buccaneers game on October 21, 2024 will be remembered as one of the more exciting Monday Night Football games of the season. Tampa Bay started fast and looked ready to pull off an upset, but turnovers from Baker Mayfield and a huge performance from Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry flipped the game completely. Add in two serious injuries to Tampa Bay’s top receivers, and it turned into a night the Buccaneers would rather forget, while the Ravens walked away with their fifth straight win and a statement performance from their star quarterback.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Ravens vs Buccaneers game?
The Baltimore Ravens won the game 41-31 over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The game was played on October 21, 2024, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
How many touchdowns did Lamar Jackson throw in this game?
Lamar Jackson threw five touchdown passes in this game. He completed 17 of his 22 passing attempts for 281 yards and did not throw a single interception, finishing with a passer rating of 158.1.
Did any Tampa Bay Buccaneers players get injured during the game?
Yes, two of Tampa Bay’s top receivers were hurt in this game. Mike Evans left with a hamstring injury in the second quarter and did not return. Chris Godwin suffered a serious leg injury in the fourth quarter and was carted off the field, an injury that was expected to keep him out for the rest of the season.
