The two-time MVP made a strong case for a third, even with 10 games still to play for the Ravens. If history is any indication, a five-touchdown display is a sign that the award is within reach. He has four other five-touchdown games in his career, and all came in one of his MVP seasons.
Jackson made some excellent throws, including a pair of downfield sH๏τs to Rashod Bateman. Bateman hauled in a 59-yard reception to set up a touchdown in the second quarter, and he scored from 49 yards out in the third. Both were terrific pᴀsses from Jackson, who was accurate all night long with the exception of a lateral pᴀss that couldn’t find Zay Flowers in the second half.
Jackson has 15 pᴀssing touchdowns and two interceptions through seven games, plus 455 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Lamar Jackson highlights vs. Buccaneers
Jackson didn’t often need to use his legs against the Buccaneers, but he flashed a little bit of that signature mobility in the first quarter.
The Jackson-to-Bateman connection was strong on Monday night.
Jackson was about to use his legs here — until he saw Mark Andrews open near the sideline.
Jackson couldn’t have placed this touchdown pᴀss to Bateman any better.
Derrick Henry stats vs. Buccaneers
Henry rushed for 169 yards on 15 carries in the win, also adding a 13-yard touchdown reception.
It initially looked like a night to forget for the former 2,000-yard rusher, as he was held in check on his first handful of carries and actually spent much of the second quarter on the sideline. The Ravens insisted Henry wasn’t dealing with any injury, and it appeared to just be part of the gameplan for Baltimore.
If the goal was to keep Henry fresh for the second half, it worked. He ripped off an 81-yard run to jumpstart a Ravens touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, and he padded his numbers with a 39-yard run — aided by Lamar Jackson’s blocking — just when the Buccaneers looked like they might have a chance to get back into the game.
While those two plays made up 120 of Henry’s 169 rushing yards, they both led to touchdowns for the Ravens. The explosive runs also served as a reminder that today’s Derrick Henry isn’t all that different than the old Derrick Henry.
To that point, Henry is on pace for 2,120 rushing yards over 17 games. While he’s a long way from the milestone, a 2,000-yard rushing season or anything remotely close at the age of 30 would be one of the most remarkable feats in NFL history — and yes, it could be enough for an MVP award if his teammate relents from his own dominance.
Derrick Henry highlights vs. Buccaneers
Henry’s game-breaking run went for 81 yards, putting the Ravens in position to extend their lead to 24.
Credit goes to both Henry and Jackson for this 39-yard run, which set up Henry’s only touchdown of the day.
Here is that touchdown catch by Henry:
