The Baltimore Ravens extended their winning streak to five games, overwhelming the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 41-31 Monday night in a contest marked by both offensive fireworks and devastating injuries. The Ravens improved to 5-2, further establishing themselves as AFC contenders.
Derrick Henry’s dominance
Baltimore’s offseason acquisition of Derrick Henry continues to pay dividends. The powerful running back rushed for 169 yards, pushing his season total to 873 yards through seven games. Henry has now topped 100 yards in four games and scored eight touchdowns, proving himself a perfect fit for the Ravens’ ground-heavy attack.
Buccaneers’ injury crisis
The loss proved especially costly for Tampa Bay, which lost both starting receivers to significant injuries. Mike Evans reaggravated a hamstring injury after scoring a 25-yard touchdown in the first quarter. ESPN reported he needed assistance removing his cleats in the locker room, casting doubt on his availability for Sunday’s crucial matchup against Atlanta.
The situation deteriorated when Chris Godwin suffered an ankle dislocation in the fourth quarter after being rolled up by a Baltimore defender. Early reports suggest he could miss the remainder of the season. Godwin ranked third among NFL receivers in fantasy points per game before the injury.
Cowboys’ running game struggles
Henry’s performance highlighted a significant missed opportunity for the Dallas Cowboys, who passed on signing the Dallas native during free agency. The Cowboys now rank last in rushing, averaging just 77.2 yards per game, leading to pointed commentary from the broadcast booth.
Former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman observed: “There’s gotta be a lot of teams out there that had opportunities to bring in Derrick Henry that are kind of kicking themselves for not doing it.” His broadcast partner Joe Buck added: “Can you think of any teams off hand? I’ll just throw this out there—the offseason home for Derrick Henry is in Dallas, Texas.”
Buccaneers’ offensive adjustments
Tampa Bay must now reshape its offense around quarterback Baker Mayfield without his top targets. The team may shift toward their ground game, increasing roles for running backs Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker. White, the team’s best receiving back, could see more targets as the offense adjusts.
Tight end Cade Otton showed promise with eight catches for 100 yards Monday night. Receivers Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer and Sterling Shepard move up the depth chart, though their consistency remains uncertain.
Looking ahead
While the Ravens continue strengthening their position as AFC contenders, Tampa Bay faces critical roster decisions before facing Atlanta. The team’s ability to overcome these losses could determine their playoff hopes in a competitive NFC South. Meanwhile, the 3-3 Cowboys meet San Francisco on Sunday Night Football, still searching for answers in their ground game.
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