Murray runs for a TD, leads Cardinals to game-winning FG and 17-15 win over Chargers

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona's Kyler Murray rolled out to his left before turning on the jets, beating a Chargers defender to the sideline and then coasting for a spectacular 44-yard touchdown, casually holding the ball with one hand like it was a backyard game.

Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon admitted that's not the way his players are taught to protect the ball.

Then again, Gannon didn't teach Murray how to run like that, either.

“Until he fumbles, I'll let him ride,” Gannon said with a wry grin. “That was a pretty spectacular play.”

Murray ran for the game-changing touchdown early in the fourth quarter and then led the Cardinals on a drive that set up Chad Ryland's 32-yard field goal as time expired, and Arizona rallied for a 17-15 win over Los Angeles on Monday night.

Cameron Dicker kicked his fifth field goal of the night — this one from 40 yards — to give the Chargers a 15-14 lead with 1:54 left. But the Cardinals (3-4) quickly moved into field goal range, aided by an unnecessary roughness call on Cam Hart that cost Los Angeles (3-3) 15 yards.

Arizona followed that with a bruising 33-yard catch and run by James Conner, who finished with 101 yards on the ground and 51 yards receiving. Conner's big gain eventually set up Ryland's short field goal and a Cardinals celebration. Conner delivered a sterling speech to the team on Sunday night and backed up those words on Monday.

“That's just the way the season's been going,” Conner said. “As a captain on this team, that's the job description. Just tried to rally the troops.”

It was a frustrating night for the Chargers' offense, which gained 395 yards but couldn't find the end zone. Justin Herbert completed 27 of 39 passes for 349 yards. It was coach Jim Harbaugh's first loss on Monday night, dropping him to 6-1 for his career.

Dicker booted field goals of 59, 50, 28, 47 and 40 yards, the first of which tied a franchise record for distance.

The Chargers came into the game with one of the NFL's top defenses and had another good night, but the offense usually couldn't execute when it mattered most. Los Angeles has gone 16 consecutive offensive drives without a touchdown.

“I thought we did a lot of good things, but we've got to score points in the red zone,” Herbert said. “That's the biggest takeaway from tonight's game. We've got an amazing kicker, but we've got to do a better job for our defense and special teams. We've got to score points.”

Murray ran for his spectacular touchdown early in the fourth quarter for the 14-9 lead. It was Murray's second long touchdown run in three weeks after he scored on a 50-yard sprint against San Francisco.

“It's a good feeling, just putting the ball in the end zone,” Murray said. “Wish we could have done that more tonight, but a win's a win.”

It was also Murray's 20th career game with a touchdown pass and run.

Murray completed 14 of 26 passes for 145 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Dicker's 28-yarder late in the third quarter gave the Chargers a 9-7 lead. Los Angeles gained possession after stopping Cardinals backup quarterback Clayton Tune on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1. The Cardinals sometimes use Tune in short-yardage situation because he's bigger than Murray.

Arizona scored on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Murray to Greg Dortch in the second quarter to take a 7-6 into halftime. It was Dortch’s first touchdown catch of the season.

Dicker made two field goals in the first half for the Chargers, including the 59-yarder. That was the longest kick of Dicker's career after he previously made two from 55 yards.

Los Angeles fumbled away a pair of great opportunities early in the first quarter.

On Arizona's opening drive, Murray had a pass deflected by Khalil Mack and intercepted by Teair Tait. The 304-pound defensive lineman started running downfield, but was stripped from behind by Conner before Arizona's Michael Wilson grabbed the fumble.

Then, on the Chargers' first drive, Herbert hit Jalen Reagor for a 42-yard gain, but Arizona's Starling Thomas stripped Reagor and the ball bounced into the end zone for a touchback.

“It was a game of a lot of near misses and close calls,” Harbaugh said. “Both teams played well. Came down to a lot of details, not just one play.”

Chargers: OLB Joey Bosa (hip) and TE Hayden Hurst (groin) were inactive.

Cardinals: CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (neck) left in the first half. LB Dennis Gardeck (knee) left in the third quarter.

Chargers: Host New Orleans on Sunday.

Cardinals: At Miami on Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, left, talks with Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) after an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins (27) is tackled as he runs up field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, left, talks with down judge Dana McKenzie, right, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch catches a 5-yard touchdown pass in front of Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Ja'Sir Taylor (36) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Jalen Reagor (89) runs from Arizona Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (23) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Fans cheer during the first half of an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner fumbles the ball as he is hit by Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. The Cardinals recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Ben Stille (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Chargers place kicker Cameron Dicker (11) kicks a 50-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Lamar Jackson, who may be playing the best football of his career, made it look easy.

The two-time MVP threw for 281 yards and five touchdowns Monday night, helping the Baltimore Ravens overcome an early double-digit deficit and extend their winning streak to five games with a 41-31 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who lost their top two receivers to injuries.

“Trying to win. That’s all that’s on my mind,” Jackson said after the AFC North co-leaders scored on seven of nine possessions before removing him from the game with just under two minutes left.

“I’m proud of him. I’m happy for him. He’s a great leader, a great player.” coach John Harbaugh added. ”He’s the ultimate competitor on a level with the greatest competitors I’ve ever seen.”

Jackson improved improved to 23-1 against NFC teams, the best mark by a quarterback against an opposing conference in NFL history. He's 3-0 against the Bucs (4-3), who faded after taking a 10-0 lead with help from the 100th TD reception of Mike Evans' career.

Evans departed with a hamstring injury after Baker Mayfield tried to connect with him in the end zone again, and late in the fourth quarter with the game out of reach, leading Bucs receiver Chris Godwin was carted off the field with a left ankle injury. ESPN declined to show replays of Godwin's injury, which appeared to be severe.

“Early indication is that it's dislocated. Doesn't look good,” said Bucs coach Todd Bowles, who defended the decision to still have Godwin on the field in the closing minutes.

“He's a player. We'e trying to win the ballgame. We were still down 10, we're trying to get extra points and kick another onside kick. It just happened,” Bowles added. “With Mike (Evans) going down, we didn't have that many receivers left as it was, so we play what we got.”

Jackson completed 17 of 22 passes without an interception, including TD throws of 9 and 4 yards to Mark Andrews. He also tossed scoring passes of 49 yards to Rashod Bateman, 18 yards to Justice Hill and 11 yards to Derrick Henry, who rushed for 169 yards on 15 carries. Bateman had four catches for 121 yards.

The Ravens (5-2) rebounded from a slow start on defense, with cornerback Marlon Humphrey turning the game around with a pair of second-quarter interceptions — one of them in the Baltimore end zone. Jackson led a four-play, 80-yard TD drive after the first pick, and the second interception set up Justin Tucker's 28-yard field goal for a 17-10 halftime lead.

“It doesn’t matter when, where or what. He’s the ultimate competitor,” Andrews said of Jackson. "It’s just play after play after play of him making big-time plays and helping this team win games. He does it better than anybody in the league. He lays it all out on the line every game. He’s the best. He’s the MVP.”

Mayfield finished 31 of 45 passing for 370 yards, three TDs and two interceptions. Evans joined Hall of Famers Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Marvin Harrison and Terrell Owens as the only players to have at least 100 TD receptions in the first 11 seasons of a career when he caught a 25-yard scoring pass in the first quarter.

Evans, who missed two days of practice last week with what the Bucs described as a nagging hamstring issue, appeared to aggravate the injury on the scoring reception. Mayfield nearly connected with him in the end zone again in the second quarter, but this time the ball glanced off Evans’ hands as he and Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens went to the ground.

Evans remained on the turf for several minutes before being helped to his feet and limping to the locker room. He did not return.

The Bucs played at home for the first time since Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast, causing extensive damage in the Tampa Bay area and along the path it took across the state. The Bucs relocated ahead of the storm to New Orleans, where they practiced for four days before trouncing the Saints 51-7 last week.

The Ravens lead the the NFL with 1,476 rushing yards this season and have run for at least 150 in every game. With 243 on the ground Monday night, they became the fourth team since 1980 to begin a season with at least 1,400 yards in their first seven games. The others are the 1984 Chicago Bears (1,508), 2006 Atlanta Falcons (1,476) and 2019 Ravens (1,429).

Henry's touchdown catch midway through the fourth quarter made it 41-18. The Bucs scored twice in the closing minutes, including after a successful onside kick, the second time the Ravens have failed to recover an opponent's onside kick this season.

Those late scores gave the Bucs a glimmer of hope that was quickly extinguished when Godwin was hurt while being tackled by Roquan Smith on a 21-yard catch with about a minute left.

Ravens: Humphrey (knee) departed after colliding with a teammate while making his second interception and did not return.

Buccaneers: Evans' TD catch was his only reception. ... Safety Tykee Smith (concussion) left in the second quarter and did not return.

Ravens: At AFC North rival Cleveland next Sunday.

Buccaneers: Host Atlanta Falcons in a battle for first place in the NFC South on Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is pressured by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (9) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) celebrates with running back Derrick Henry (22) after Henry's passing touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) is carted off of the field after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) interacts with his teammates while being carted off of the field after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) looks to throw during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) reacts to an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) is helped off the field after an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) breaks up a pass intended for Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs past Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Bryce Hall (34) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) and quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) celebrate after Bateman's touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) is pressured by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (9) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)