Bucs vs Ravens, let’s talk about it.

Football is a game of inches, but it’s also a game of quarters. Let’s dive into a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of some Tampa Bay Bucs’ football. Tonight, the Bucs readied up for a battle against the Baltimore Ravens.

First Quarter:

Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

Starting with the ball in NFL games comes along with a significant strategic disadvantage because your opponent does have the opportunity to steal a possession at the half— If you are going to take the ball first, you must make it count. The Bucs won the toss, opted for the ball and made it count for seven. Monday Night’s debut drive was quite noteworthy. Liam Coen’s offense set a franchise record with their fourth consecutive opening drive touchdown. The touchdown, scored by Mike Evans, also represented the 100th touchdown catch of the receiver’s illustrious career.

The narrative surrounding this week’s game revolved around how Tampa Bay’s defense would be able to defend the rushing duo of Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. After one drive, the Bucs’ defense did bend but, it did not break— Relinquishing yards without surrendering points. Tampa’s defense closed out the Ravens’ opening drive with back-to-back sacks, the latter of which came courtesy of Antoine Winfield Jr. and Lavonte David.

With their second possession of the quarter, Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay’s offense reinforced the efforts of their defense. The Bucs motored back down the field to score a second touchdown (Taken away by a Tristan Wirfs holding penalty, his first since 2022). Tampa wrapped up the first quarter with a field goal. 10-0, Bucs.

Second Quarter:

Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

The Bucs’ second quarter woes, from a week ago, snuck back into frame quickly. Lamar Jackson’s second at-bat was much more Lamar Jackson-esque— ending in a touchdown pass to the Baltimore’s all-time leader in touchdown receptions, Mark Andrews. The touchdown was followed by a real-world nightmare— an exacerbation of Mike Evans’ nagging hamstring injury that left Tampa’s star toiling in pain. After watching Evans roll around gripping his leg, Bucs’ fans were given insult to his injury as Baker Mayfield took points off the board tossing his sixth interception of the season.

Converting turnovers into points is a fairly accurate determinant of success. The Ravens wasted no time taking Baker Mayfield’s interception and transitioning it into seven more points. 14-10, Ravens. Faced with a deficit of four, Mayfield cooked up his second interception of the night— Marlon Humphrey’s second as well.

With the ball at the two-minute warning, Baltimore let Lamar Jackson lead the way. Three points for the Ravens led Monday Night football to its intermission. 17-10, Ravens.

Third Quarter:

Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

The Bucs started the game with the ball so the third quarter opened with Baltimore’s offense. They opened the half with a field goal. In the perfect summation of Tampa’s night, their offense opened the half with a missed field goal. From a missed field goal to touchdown, a rapid swing of the pendulum that gave Baltimore a feeling of invincibility and a 17-point lead. The Bucs ended the third quarter allowing 34 unanswered points and hope to slip away.

Fourth Quarter:

Starting the quarter down 24 points, the Bucs’ defense found a small spark— an incomplete pass thrown backward to be ruled ruled a fumble. Zyon McCollum’s recovery of that fumble and subsequent run back will live on as one of the most epic called-back touchdowns in Bucs’ history.

While McCollum’s score was called back, the Bucs’ offense did convert— Baker Mayfield’s pass to Rachaad White broke the post-first quarter shutout Tampa was facing and was a nice bow on top of a decent outing for White, who earned a spot in our noteworthy performers below. Another Derrick Henry touchdown, Lamar Jackson’s fifth passing, expanded the Ravens’ lead further. Baker Mayfield and the Bucs, albeit in garbage time, maintained the fight and worked their way down the field for another two scores— Bringing the rally effort all the way up to 31 points. The 31 points came at a high cost— Tampa Bay’s leading receiver on the season, Chris Godwin, left the game’s final drive on a cart— with all indications being that his season will end on that play.

We here at Bucs Nation would like to wish Chris Godwin well in whatever rehab his journey may require.

Noteworthy performers:

Rachaad White- 16 touches, 111 yards, 2TDs
Cade Otton- 8 catches, 100 yards

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