In Week 7, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traveled to face a tough Baltimore Ravens team and came away with a 34-21 victory, improving our record to 5-2 on the season. This game was a battle of big plays, and we made them when it counted most. From our aerial attack led by Baker Mayfield to some standout performances on defense, it was a complete team effort. While we still have areas to clean up, especially in ball security, our ability to execute in key moments set us apart.
This win gives us a lot of momentum as we head into the heart of the PML season, and we know that continuing to perform at this level will be crucial to staying competitive in the NFC South.
Offense: Mayfield’s Efficient Passing Attack Leads the Way
Baker Mayfield was the catalyst for our offensive success, delivering an efficient performance that kept the Ravens’ defense on its heels. He finished 11-of-18 for 273 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception, posting a passer rating of 121.5. Mayfield didn’t need a high volume of throws to make a significant impact, and when we asked him to make the big plays, he delivered with precision.
One of the highlights of the game was a deep 89-yard touchdown to Devin Culp, where Mayfield dropped a perfect pass, allowing Culp to showcase his speed and take it to the house. Culp led all receivers with 5 catches for 154 yards, continuing to establish himself as a dangerous target in our passing attack.
Chris Godwin also made his mark, hauling in 2 catches for 73 yards, including a 64-yard reception that set up a key score. While he didn’t find the end zone, Godwin’s ability to stretch the field kept the Ravens’ defense honest and opened up opportunities for our other playmakers.
Veteran Mike Evans contributed with a 23-yard touchdown catch, while Cade Otton added another score with a 15-yard reception. Leonard Fournette chipped in as well, catching a 4-yard touchdown pass to round out a well-balanced aerial assault.
Rushing Game: White, Fournette Set the Tone
On the ground, Rachaad White and Leonard Fournette were the workhorses, helping us control the tempo. White led the way with 14 carries for 75 yards, including a 32-yard burst that showcased his ability to break through the first level of defense. However, he did have 1 fumble, which is something we’ll need to clean up moving forward.
Fournette was solid as well, rushing 7 times for 44 yards, with a long run of 28 yards. Like White, he had a fumble, but his physicality and ability to grind out tough yards were key in sustaining drives.
One of the highlights on the ground came from Bucky Irving, who had a single rush for 25 yards, breaking through on a critical third down. Irving continues to be a valuable rotational piece, and we’re excited about what he brings to the table as a change-of-pace option.
Defense: David’s Big Day Sparks Defensive Stand
Lavonte David had another standout performance, proving why he’s the heart and soul of this defense. David recorded 2 tackles but made his biggest impact through the air, snatching 2 interceptions and returning one for a touchdown. His ability to diagnose plays and be in the right position at the right time shifted momentum in our favor, especially with his pick-six, which gave us a crucial lead in the second half.
Patrick Peterson also came up with an interception, adding to our total of 3 takeaways on the day. Peterson’s veteran presence in the secondary continues to pay dividends, as he locked down his side of the field and came up with big plays when needed.
Elsewhere in the secondary, Antoine Winfield Jr. had a solid outing with 4 tackles, while Jamel Dean led the team with 4 tackles as well. Dean’s tackling ability was on full display, though we’ll look for him to tighten up in coverage in the coming weeks to avoid giving up big chunk plays.
While the Ravens were able to put up some points, our defense showed a bend-but-don’t-break mentality, making key stops when it mattered most. Baltimore’s offense, led by Lamar Jackson, is explosive, but we managed to contain the damage and capitalize on their mistakes.
Special Teams: Clean Execution Keeps Us in Control
Special teams played their part in securing this win. Our kicker, Chase McLaughlin, was perfect on extra points, going 4-for-4, and while he didn’t have any field goal attempts, his consistency in those situations continues to be a strong asset.
Jake Camarda, our punter, helped flip field position when necessary, keeping the Ravens pinned back and forcing them to drive long distances to score. While there were no particularly flashy special teams plays this week, the unit’s reliable performance contributed to our overall success.
Key Takeaways as a Coach:
- Mayfield’s Efficient Leadership – Mayfield continues to be a steady presence under center. His ability to make plays when they matter, particularly his deep connections with Culp and Godwin, gave us the offensive edge we needed to pull away from the Ravens. He’s shown that he can distribute the ball effectively and has been sharp in his decision-making, outside of the one interception.
- Big Plays on Offense – This game was won on the back of explosive plays. From Culp’s 89-yard touchdown to Godwin’s long reception, we were able to stretch the Ravens’ defense and keep them off balance. These big plays opened up opportunities in both the passing and running game, making us a tough offense to stop.
- Ball Security Must Improve – The one area where we need to tighten up is ball security. Both White and Fournette had fumbles, and while they didn’t cost us the game this time, those are the kinds of mistakes that can be costly in tighter matchups. We’ll focus on ball control in practice to make sure we don’t give away unnecessary possessions.
- Lavonte David’s Leadership – David continues to be our defensive anchor. His 2 interceptions and pick-six were game-changers, and his leadership on and off the field is invaluable. As long as he’s playing at this level, our defense has a chance to make game-changing plays.
- Defensive Takeaways are Key – Three interceptions were crucial in stalling Baltimore’s drives and giving our offense more opportunities. This kind of aggressive, opportunistic defense is what we need to continue to develop, especially as we head into more challenging matchups.
Moving Forward:
At 5-2, we’re in a great position, but we know the work is far from over. Our offense is firing on all cylinders, and if we can clean up the fumbles, we’ll be even more dangerous. Defensively, continuing to generate takeaways will be critical, but we also need to tighten up our coverage to prevent giving up large chunks of yardage.
This team is showing resilience and the ability to win tough games on the road, but we need to stay focused and avoid complacency. Our next opponent will be another tough test, and as we’ve seen, there are no easy wins in the PML.
This was another step in the right direction, and I’m proud of the effort the team put in today. We’re building something special, but we know there’s still a lot of season left to prove ourselves.
