Tuesday, 4 a.m.
Yes, it was ugly. Yes, it was embarrassing.
But this was worse.
This one was bad enough to put the entire season of the Tampa Bay Bucs in jeopardy.
Granted, the Baltimore Ravens had their way in a 41-31 victory over the Bucs Monday night. But the lingering pain to this one was injuries to both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, possibly for a long stretch to come. The Bucs remain tied for the division lead, but that’s in danger going into next week's game against Atlanta.
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Early indications are that Godwin has a dislocated ankle and Evans has a hamstring injury. Evans and Godwin have combined for 63 catches and 911 yards this year. Last year, Evans and Godwin combined for almost 2,300 yards. But can the Bucs survive without both?
Monday night didn’t indicate just how. Oh, the Bucs started well enough, taking a 10-0 lead. Evans caught a 25-yard touchdown pass. Godwin seemed to have his own scoring pass on the Bucs’ next drive, but s holding penalty limited the Bucs to a field goal.
It was on the next series the troubles began. After Baltimore scored, the Bucs drove deep again. But Evans dropped a touchdown pass, re-injuring his hamstring on the play. Baker Mayfield threw interceptions on two of his next three passes, setting up 10 straight Ravens points.
Baltimore got into a rhythm afterward, scoring 34 straight points. Lamar Jackson, already a two-time MVP, hit 17 of 22 passes for 281 yards and five touchdowns. Derrick Henry gained 165 yards and averaged 10.7 yards per carry. Receiver Rachad Bateman caught 123 yards worth of passes.
Despite his interceptions, Mayfield threw for 370 yards. He was sacked three times.
Tight end Cade Otton caught eight passes for 100 yards.
The Bucs are home against Atlanta on Sunday.