Ravens-Bucs: Lamar Jackson throws 5 TD passes, Baltimore scores 34 straight points in win over Tampa Bay

On Monday night, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers held their own for a quarter and took a 10-0 lead against the Baltimore Ravens.

Ultimately, as it had all season, Baltimore's offense proved unavoidable. The Ravens ended the first half with a 17-0 run. They opened the floodgates after halftime and secured a 41-31 victory in a Monday night showdown against the division's leading teams, who had started the season 4-2.

By the time Tampa Bay scored again in the fourth quarter, Baltimore had scored 34 unanswered points.

It was another offensive exercise for the Ravens in a season full of them. Lamar Jackson was again the star on a night when he threw five touchdown passes, tying his Ravens record. It was another strong showing in Jackson's campaign for his third NFL MVP award in six seasons.

Ravens unload after digging a 10-0 hole

After two sacks by Jackson wiped out Baltimore's first possession, the Ravens struck quickly on their second possession. They needed just six plays and 2:33 to go 70 yards and cap the drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Mark Andrews. The result reduced Baltimore's deficit to 10-7.

Baltimore's next possession took just four plays and 1:47 seconds to drive 80 yards and reach the end zone. Jackson set up the score with a 59-yard run pass to Rashod Bateman after escaping Tampa Bay's pass rush.

Two plays and a penalty later, Justice Hill ran the ball off a screen pass from Jackson for an 18-yard touchdown, giving the Ravens a 14-10 lead.

Two Justin Tucker field goals ended the half before the Ravens reached the end zone again on their second drive of the third quarter. They managed 55 yards in four plays in 57 seconds. The star was again a deep ball from Jackson to Bateman. This time, Jackson unleashed a 49-yard laser on second-and-17 that Bateman caught with flying colors after breaking the top of the Tampa Bay secondary.

The touchdown pass was Jackson's third of the night and extended the Ravens' lead to 27-10.

At this point, Baltimore had done its damage without much input from Derrick Henry. The NFL's leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns carried the ball just four times for 23 yards before halftime. He was fresh in the second half.

On the first play of Baltimore's next possession, Jackson handed off to Henry inside the Ravens' 10-yard line. Henry broke free down the left sideline and rumbled 81 yards before being tackled at Tampa Bay's 11-yard line.

Four plays later, Jackson found Andrews again for the second touchdown of the night. This score increased Baltimore's lead to 34-10 and the game was almost over with 2:53 left in the third quarter. The stats on this drive: five plays for 92 yards in 2:05.

The Ravens weren't perfect down the stretch, as they allowed three touchdowns to the Bucs in the final quarter. A Jackson fumble set up Tampa Bay's first touchdown of the second half and cut Baltimore's lead to 34-18 early in the fourth quarter. Baltimore then found the end zone again on a drive that ended with a Jackson touchdown pass to Derrick Henry.

The Bucs responded with another touchdown and then another after a successful onside kick to cut the Ravens' once 24-point lead to 41-31.

Baltimore recovered Tampa Bay's next onside kick and did not allow the Bucs to score again.

Jackson finished the night completing 17 of 22 passes for 281 yards and five touchdowns. Henry ran 15 times for 169 yards and added a 13-yard touchdown catch.

Andrews caught four passes for 41 yards and two scores. Bateman had four catches for 121 yards and a touchdown. The Ravens totaled 508 yards of offense and averaged 9.4 yards per play.

Baker Mayfield completed 31 of 45 passes for 370 yards with three touchdowns, leading Tampa Bay's comeback. But two first-half interceptions helped get Baltimore's run going.

Injuries further mar the evening in Tampa Bay

A tough night for the Bucs on the scoreboard was made even more difficult by two injuries to key players. Leading receiver Mike Evans left in the first half with a hamstring injury.

Then, with less than a minute left, Tampa's No. 2 receiver Chris Godwin suffered what head coach Todd Bowles said was an ankle injury. He left the field on a cart with 43 seconds left and his left leg was in the air.