In another (TV-less) Thursday Night Football matchup, it was the Baltimore Ravens that prevailed in a comeback effort, 27-22, over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With their loss, the Bucs drop their fifth of their last six, dropping them to 3-5. Enjoy these takeaways from the game.
1. Tom Brady has some firsts; also continues to show his age.
Tom Brady, you maybe should’ve listened to Gisele and your other critics and retired last year.
He once again struggled, completing only 26-of-44 passes for 325 yards and a passing touchdown, coming late in the fourth quarter to Julio Jones, who had his first touchdown with the Buccaneers. Also, Leonard Fournette had a touchdown run and Mike Evans had 123 receiving yards, despite the loss.
Along with struggling in the game, Brady also had a ‘first time in forever’ moment. For the first time since 2002, Brady is riding a three-game skid. 2002 was also the last time Brady missed the playoffs.
2. The Other Two Stages for the Bucs Struggled as well.
Tampa Bay’s defense struggled once again. Their defensive identity, which is forcing turnovers, did not force a turnover for the fourth straight game. They also lost star LB Shaquil Barrett to a torn achilles. He limped off the field early in the third quarter and rode to the locker room on a cart.
Despite blocking a Justin Tucker FG going into the half, ex-Miami Hurricane Dee Delaney also had a muffed punt early on in the game, costing the Bucs an early FG.
3. Lamar Jackson shined.
For the first time this season, the Ravens are on a winning streak.
A big part of that was their offense, led by potential MVP candidate Lamar Jackson. Jackson went 27-for-38 for 238 yards and two passing touchdowns, despite losing Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman early in the game. He also had nine carries for 43 yards.
Despite being down 10-3 going into the half, Jackson shined in the second half, going on TD drives of 77, 80, and 85 yards. TE Isaiah Likely and former Dolphins RB Kenyan Drake had the touchdown catches for the Ravens.
There was also some big news coming out in the NFL world. Tom Brady announced on Instagram that he and Gisele Bundchen have filed for divorce after 13 years of marriage.
Next Sunday, the Bucs host the Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams, who have also been struggling this season. The Ravens, meanwhile, will go to the Big Easy to play the Saints on MNF.