NFL Week 7 Recap: Lamar Jackson Shines as Ravens Defeat Bucs, Cardinals Secure Last-Minute Win

The NFL’s Week 7 wrapped up with two thrilling matchups on Monday night, showcasing standout performances and dramatic finishes. The Baltimore Ravens outgunned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a high-scoring affair, while the Arizona Cardinals clinched a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers with a last-second field goal.

Lamar Jackson Leads Ravens to Victory

In a display of exceptional skill, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson solidified his status as a top-tier player, throwing for 281 yards and five touchdowns in a 41-31 victory against the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Jackson completed 17 of his 22 attempts and added 52 rushing yards, showcasing his versatility and playmaking ability.

The Ravens found themselves down by ten points at the end of the first quarter, but they responded with a stunning 34 unanswered points. Jackson connected with Rashod Bateman, Justice Hill, Derrick Henry, and tight end Mark Andrews for touchdowns. Bateman stood out with four receptions for 121 yards.

This game marked Jackson’s fifth career game with five or more passing touchdowns and no interceptions, making him the league leader since his 2018 draft. “We’re just going to keep approaching every week one game at a time,” said head coach John Harbaugh, praising Jackson’s leadership. “He’s doing it at a high level, and I’m proud of him.”

The Ravens’ rushing attack complemented Jackson’s aerial assault, with Derrick Henry rushing for 169 yards on 15 carries, including an impressive 81-yard run. The Baltimore defense stepped up as well, with Marlon Humphrey recording two interceptions off Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.

For Tampa Bay, the night was bittersweet. Although the Bucs faced injuries, they celebrated Mike Evans’ milestone. Evans caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield, marking his 100th career touchdown and placing him among the elite in NFL history. However, he later suffered a hamstring injury that forced him out of the game.

Things worsened for the Buccaneers when Chris Godwin was carted off the field late in the game with a serious ankle injury. Coach Todd Bowles later indicated that Godwin might have suffered a dislocated ankle, further complicating the Bucs’ injury woes.

Cardinals Edge Chargers with Last-Minute Heroics

In the other Monday night matchup, the Arizona Cardinals narrowly defeated the Los Angeles Chargers, 17-15, thanks to a 32-yard field goal by Chad Ryland as time expired. Both teams struggled to find the end zone, with the Cardinals scoring just two touchdowns.

Kyler Murray was the driving force for Arizona, connecting with Greg Dortch for a five-yard touchdown pass and executing a dazzling 44-yard touchdown run to kick off the fourth quarter. Despite the lack of touchdowns, the Cardinals managed to stay competitive.

On the Chargers’ side, kicker Cameron Dicker was the star, scoring all 15 of his team’s points through field goals. However, despite racking up 395 yards of offense led by quarterback Justin Herbert, the Chargers could not find the end zone, which ultimately cost them the game.

With less than two minutes left on the clock, Dicker’s fifth field goal briefly gave the Chargers a 15-14 lead. Yet, Murray orchestrated a nine-play, 41-yard drive that included a crucial 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty on LA cornerback Cam Hart, setting up Ryland for the game-winning kick.

Murray’s performance highlighted his dual-threat capability, marking the 20th game of his career with both a passing and a rushing touchdown, the second most since he was drafted in 2019. “I had a good feeling we were getting into range,” Ryland stated post-game. “The guys really stepped up on that last drive, and I got a chance to hit a kick. Thankfully, it went through.”

Week 7 Scores Recap

The results from Monday’s matchups added further intrigue to the 2024 NFL season:

• Baltimore Ravens 41 – 31 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Los Angeles Chargers 15 – 17 Arizona Cardinals

As the season progresses, the focus will be on how these injuries and standout performances shape the playoff picture.