Monday Night Football Recap: Winners and Losers from Week 7
WINNER: Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry continue to power Baltimore
Baltimore, now 5-2, perhaps is a star wideout away from being considered the most threatening contender. Of course, Lamar Jackson will once again be tested in the playoffs, but he’s pushing for a third league MVP.
Moving to 23-1 against NFC teams, Jackson threw for 281 yards on 17 of 22 completions for five touchdowns and no picks, including 59-yard and 49-yard dots to Rashod Bateman. Derrick Henry continued his rushing prowess, logging 169 yards on 15 carries with a long of 81.
DERRICK HENRY BREAKS OFF AN 81-YARD RUN. đź“ş: #BALvsTB on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/xXVR93t3uI
LOSER: Buccaneers lose both star wideouts
The Bucs dropped to 4-3 after the result, but things are looking bleak despite being above .500 still. Tampa Bay held a 10-0 lead early but began to unravel after losing Mike Evans to the hamstring injury he was trying to manage. It’s not yet clear how long Evans will be out.
But even worse, Tampa Bay may have lost Chris Godwin for a lengthy period. In the final minutes as the Buccaneers forced the issue trying to close the scoreboard gap, Godwin’s ankle appeared to bend awkwardly on a tackle. He was carted off in an air cast and is believed to have a dislocated ankle.
WINNER: Cardinals stay close in NFC West
The NFC West has usually been a stalwart division, but that hasn’t been the case this season. Neither of the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks or Los Angeles Rams look like legitimate contenders for differing reasons, so the Cardinals have a chance if they can stay close.
Wins like this will keep them in the conversations even if they aren’t marginally better than San Francisco or Seattle. At 3-4, Arizona is level with the 49ers and a game behind Seattle.
LOSER: Chargers waste Justin Herbert’s strong throwing outing
It took seven weeks, but Herbert finally delivered a 300-plus passing-yard performance. But it didn’t matter, as the Chargers couldn’t find the end zone a single time and settled for five field goals from Cameron Dicker.
Herbert threw for 349 yards on 27 of 39 completions, no touchdowns and no picks while taking three sacks. J.K. Dobbins didn’t have a good ground showing, while Will Dissly led Los Angeles in the receiving department. Perhaps that’s the problem.
Conclusion
Monday Night Football’s Week 7 ended with two uneven games. The Ravens and Buccaneers went toe-to-toe, with Baltimore emerging victorious. The Cardinals, meanwhile, stayed relevant in the NFC West, while the Chargers struggled to capitalize on a strong performance from Justin Herbert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the final score of the Ravens-Buccaneers game?
A: Baltimore won 41-31.
Q: Who were the key injuries in the Buccaneers game?
A: Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were both injured, with Godwin possibly out for a lengthy period due to a dislocated ankle.
Q: How did the Chargers fare in their loss?
A: They threw for over 300 yards but couldn’t score a touchdown, settling for five field goals.
Q: Who had a strong game for the Cardinals?
A: None of the Cardinals’ key players had a standout performance, but they got by with a win against the Chargers.
