TAMPA, Fla. -- In making the case for a third NFL Most Valuable Player award, Lamar Jackson is apparently a triple threat now.

In addition to throwing five touchdown passes and rushing for 52 yards Monday night, Jackson showed off his latest skill -- lead blocking for Derrick Henry in the Baltimore Ravens' 41-31 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the Ravens ahead by 16 points (34-18) in the fourth quarter, Jackson saw Henry switch directions and ran upfield to push All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. out of the way to help Henry to a 39-yard gain.

"Lamar is the ultimate competitor," Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said. "He lays it all out on the line every game. [He's] just really awesome, and he's the best. He's the MVP."

For the first time this season, Jackson has catapulted himself to being the betting favorite for NFL Most Valuable Player, according to ESPN BET. Jackson's odds are now +275, which puts him ahead of Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes (+475).

Jackson, 27, would become the youngest three-time NFL MVP. He previously won in 2019 and last season.

But Jackson, who's the only two-time MVP to not reach a Super Bowl, wasn't interested in discussing his individual accomplishments after the game.

"I'm chasing something right now," Jackson said. "So each and every game is going to be the same thing for me. Every game, I'm trying to win."

Jackson once again took over the game in leading the Ravens (5-2) to a fifth straight victory. Trailing 10-0 in the first quarter, Jackson led Baltimore on six straight scoring drives, which resulted in 34 unanswered points. During this run, Jackson threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Rashod Bateman and then connected with Andrews for a 4-yard touchdown on fourth down.

In helping the Ravens score 27 or more points for the fifth game in a row -- the longest current streak in the NFL -- Jackson continues to put himself in a different class. This marked his third career game with five touchdown passes and at least 50 yards rushing. No other player in NFL history has more than one such game.

"It's almost scary to see him getting better at this point," Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said. "He's just one-of-one. If I had to equate it to somebody basketball-wise, he is like LeBron out there."

While he has always been dangerous as a runner, Jackson continues to make strides in the passing game. He finished 17-of-22 for 281 yards and five touchdowns. This was his fifth career game with as many or more touchdown passes as incompletions, according to ESPN Research.

Through seven games, Jackson ranks fifth in passing yards (1,810), second in touchdown passes (15) and second in yards per attempt (9.1).

"He's the best in the league," Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike said. "If people don't think so, they're not watching football. They're just hating."

Jackson doesn't think he plays any different in prime-time games, but he has raised his level of play in front of national television audiences. He now has 20 touchdown passes and no interceptions on "Monday Night Football," which is the longest streak of touchdown passes without an interception ever on Monday night broadcast.

"He'll go down in the history of 'Monday Night Football' for sure," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said, "and he has a lot more to go."

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost both star wide receivers -- Mike Evans and Chris Godwin -- in a 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on "Monday Night Football," with Godwin suffering what coach Todd Bowles said was a dislocated left ankle and Evans sustaining a right hamstring injury.

Bowles said he was waiting for further details on Evans but that "it [didn't] look good" for Godwin, who was met by several teammates in the training room after the game.

"Our prayers go out to him," Bowles said of Godwin. "Chris is a hell of a player and a hell of a human being. Not much you can say. You feel bad for him, and unfortunately, they're not going to cancel the games. We got to step up and move on. But our hearts are heavy."

With 1:04 left in regulation, Godwin caught a pass from Mayfield and was tackled from behind by inside linebacker Roquan Smith, with Godwin's left ankle appearing to get caught beneath Smith.

Several teammates were visibly shaken as Godwin remained on his knees and was quickly attended to by the training staff. Quarterback Baker Mayfield turned away, knelt down and put his head into his hands.

"This absolutely sucks," Mayfield said. "Yeah, it sucks for our team, but Chris deserves better than that. He's an unbelievable guy. An unbelievable teammate. Obviously, you guys have seen -- he's played extraordinary this year. Got a heavy heart right now."

The entire Buccaneers bench cleared and gathered as Godwin was helped onto an injury cart, as chants of "Godwin! Godwin!" broke out along with a standing ovation.

Godwin and Evans were tied for a league-leading five touchdowns apiece through the first six weeks of the season heading into this game, with Mayfield calling them a "huge heartbeat of this team."

Bowles defended keeping Godwin and other starters in the game despite it being out of reach with two onside kicks already attempted and no timeouts remaining, saying, "We don't second-guess," and pointing to the fact that the team was already without Evans.

"I do protect my players all the time," Bowles said. "That has nothing to do with why we left him in this ballgame. We still had a shot to score some points and win this ballgame. It happens. It happens in football."

Mayfield had no objection to remaining in the game.

"We talked about it on the sideline, thinking, 'If we get a quick touchdown -- obviously already got an onside kick during the game -- get a quick touchdown, an onside kick, have a possibility for a Hail Mary," he said. "We have a group of fighters. We all wanted a chance to try and win that thing any way, some way, somehow."

Evans had entered the game with a hamstring strain but was determined to play. He caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield on the opening drive, making him just the 11th player in NFL history to reach 100 receiving touchdowns.

But in the second quarter, Mayfield attempted to find Evans in the end zone on a 25-yard go route against Brandon Stephens, and Evans couldn't hang onto the pass. Evans fell to the ground and grabbed the back of his leg while writhing in pain.

Evans remained on the field for several seconds as trainers and teammates gathered around him. He was able to walk off the field with Bucs vice president of sports medicine and performance Bobby Slater but limped significantly as he entered the tunnel to a standing ovation.

"This absolutely sucks. Yeah, it sucks for our team, but Chris deserves better than that. He's an unbelievable guy. An unbelievable teammate. Obviously, you guys have seen -- he's played extraordinary this year. Got a heavy heart right now."

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield on Chris Godwin's injury

Evans missed two days of practice this week with the injury, which coach Todd Bowles described earlier in the week as a lingering injury versus an acute one. The wideout was able to practice Friday in a limited capacity and carried no injury designation heading into Monday night's game, where he was honored with a message on the videoboard commemorating his scoring achievement in the first quarter.

Evans and Godwin sit No. 1 and 2 for the Bucs in all-time receiving yards. Evans had hoped to tie Jerry Rice this season for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons after recording 10 in his first 10 campaigns. Up until this point, Evans has only missed nine regular-season games, with just seven due to injury or illness.

But for Godwin, this is the second major career-threatening injury he has dealt with, having torn an ACL and an MCL in Week 15 of the 2021 season. Godwin said he finally felt like he was back to his old self this summer, and several teammates and coaches took notice too.

"I'm sick about it," tight end Cade Otton said of his injured teammates. "We talk about great guys and great leaders and great players. It sucks. It's the terrible part about this job, but we have to come together for them and play better and win games and just carry on like they would."

As outside linebacker YaYa Diaby said of Godwin, "He was having such an amazing year, and for a guy like that ... we need him on this offense. And then for Mike -- we need him, as well. You know, I don't know what the story is, but I hope he can get well."

The 4-3 Bucs now must face their biggest divisional obstacle this weekend when they host the Atlanta Falcons (also 4-3) in a rematch of a Week 5 overtime heartbreaker for Tampa Bay.

"It sucks," Mayfield said. "Going to be thinking about Chris and Mike for a while here, but going to move forward. This group is going to have to be resilient. Going to have to have guys step up. That's just the way it is. There is no other way around it. Going to have to look this thing in the face and take it head on."

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Baltimore Ravens made a strong case Monday night that they're the best team in the NFL, and quarterback Lamar Jackson looked like the best player in the league. While the Kansas City Chiefs remain the NFL's only undefeated team, the Ravens have won five straight games, including a 41-31 win over the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During its win streak, Baltimore has defeated three current division leaders -- Tampa Bay, the Buffalo Bills and Washington Commanders -- by a combined score of 106-64.

Jackson threw for five touchdown passes and combined for 333 yards, improving his push for a third NFL Most Valuable Player award. Running back Derrick Henry rushed for 169 yards, which is the fourth time in five game that he has surpassed 100 yards. The Ravens' offense remains No. 1 in the NFL, delivering explosive plays in the passing and running game.

After trailing 10-0, Baltimore scored 34 unanswered points and recorded its league-leading fifth straight game of 27 or more points -- the longest current streak in the NFL.

Baltimore Ravens (5-2)

QB breakdown: Jackson continued his dominance of the NFC, improving to 23-1. This is the best interconference record since 1970 when the AFC and NFC were created. It was also another stellar performance for him in front of a national audience. Jackson is 18-5 as a prime-time starter, the best by any quarterback since the 1970 merger.

Eye-popping stat: The long pass returned for Jackson. His 49-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman in the third quarter was the third touchdown pass of Jackson's seven-year career that traveled at least 45 yards in the air and his first in two years. Bateman became the first Ravens player with multiple receptions of at least 30 yards downfield in a game since John Brown in 2018.

Troubling trend: In a span of a year, the Ravens have gone from a team that rarely gave up big plays to a defense that can't stop them. Mike Evans' 25-yard touchdown catch on the opening drive was the 19th reception of 25 or more yards given up by Baltimore -- which is the most in the NFL through seven games this season. In 17 games last season, the Ravens gave up only 22 completions of 25 or more yards, which was tied for the second fewest in the league.

Most surprising performance: Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey recorded multiple interceptions in a game for the first time in his eight-year career. Humphrey picked off Baker Mayfield in the end zone in the second quarter, which was converted into Justice Hill's 18-yard touchdown catch. On Tampa Bay's next possession, Humphrey intercepted Mayfield again, but he injured his knee on the turnover and was later ruled out. Humphrey has four of Baltimore's five interceptions this season. -- Jamison Hensley

Next game: at Cleveland Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS, Sunday)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3)

Buccaneers quarterback Mayfield found Pro Bowl wide receiver Evans for a 25-yard touchdown on the opening drive, and the defense sacked Jackson twice on back-to-back plays for a 10-0 lead. But things fell apart on both sides of the ball when the 11-year veteran receiver left the game because of a hamstring injury midway through the second quarter. Tampa Bay couldn't recover from that. Receiver Chris Godwin was later injured and carted off the field with 1:04 left in the game with what coach Todd Bowles said was a dislocated left ankle.

The Bucs didn't lose ground in the NFC South as the Atlanta Falcons also lost to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, but they did miss out on an opportunity to make a statement on a national stage against the reigning MVP. A win this week against Atlanta would give them a chance to split after their Week 5 Thursday night heartbreaker. But they face tough odds without Godwin and Evans, whom Mayfield called "a huge heartbeat of this team."

Silver lining: Heading into Monday night, the Ravens were giving up 59 rushing yards per game. The Bucs had already notched 59 rushing yards midway through the second quarter. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen utilized running backs Rachaad White in the screen game, Sean Tucker for straight rushing and Bucky Irving for a mix of both. They generated 108 rushing yards and 87 receiving yards through the first three quarters, finishing the night with 125 rushing yards.

Troubling trend: Once again, the middle of the field was a vulnerable spot for the Bucs' defense, especially with tight end Mark Andrews, who scored two touchdowns and made things particularly difficult for safety Jordan Whitehead. Jackson went 8-of-9 for 148 yards, with two passing touchdowns between the numbers in the first half, according to ESPN Research.

Biggest surprise: Nothing involving Jackson should come as a surprise, but the Bucs' defense has given up only five passing touchdowns in a game two other times since Bowles arrived in Tampa in 2019 -- in a 39-37 loss at the Houston Texans last season and in a 40-34 loss to the Seahawks in 2019. -- Jenna Laine

Next game: vs. Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m. ET, CBS, Sunday)

The expansion San Diego FC will make its debut against the LA Galaxy in Carson during Major League Soccer's opening weekend Feb. 22-23, the league announced Monday.

The exact date, as well as the rest of the MLS schedule, will be announced in December.

San Diego, the league's 30th team, also learned Monday that its first home match will be March 1 against St. Louis City SC at Snapdragon Stadium in Mission Valley.

The club recently hired coach Mikey Varas, who most recently was interim coach of the United States national team. San Diego then signed Mexican star Hirving "Chucky" Lozano in June.

Varas and sporting director Tyler Heaps will be able to select up to five current MLS players during the expansion draft on Dec. 11. The club also holds the first overall selection in the MLS SuperDraft on Dec. 20.

Besides Lozano, San Diego's current roster includes forward Marcus Ingvartsen, midfielder Jeppe Tverskov, defender Paddy McNair, goalkeeper Duran Ferree and winger Alex Mighten.

San Diego is owned by Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Mansour and the Sycuan Tribe, the first Native American tribe to have an ownership stake in a professional soccer team. The ownership group also includes San Diego Padres star third baseman Manny Machado.

HENDERSON, Nev. -- The Las Vegas Raiders are signing quarterback Desmond Ridder, a former third-round draft pick, off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad, a source confirmed to ESPN on Monday.

Ridder, who has an 8-9 record in 19 career games with the Atlanta Falcons, joins the Raiders after starter Aidan O'Connell broke the thumb on his right (passing) hand in the first quarter of Sunday's loss at the Los Angeles Rams.

O'Connell had replaced a benched Gardner Minshew last week but is expected to miss four to six weeks, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Minshew, after throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble that was returned for a touchdown against the Rams, is tied for the league lead with 10 turnovers, along with Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis.

The Raiders also have undrafted rookie quarterback Carter Bradley on the practice squad.

Ridder, 25, has passed for 3,544 yards, while completing 64.0% of his throws, with 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 19 games.

He was the No. 74 overall pick of the 2022 draft out of Cincinnati, the second of nine quarterbacks drafted that year, including Brock Purdy, the final pick of that entire draft. Ridder was also college teammates with Raiders receiver Tre Tucker.

The news was first reported by NFL Network.

DETROIT -- The bumpy start to the career of Jameson Williams continues as the Detroit Lions wide receiver is facing a two-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substances (PES) policy, sources told ESPN on Monday night.

Williams, 23, currently has the team's second-most receiving yards (361) and touchdowns (3) behind All-Pro WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, and he was off to a strong start in his third season.

The Lions (5-1) are coming off a thrilling 31-29 win at the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7, but Williams was only targeted once for minus-4 yards.

As the No. 12 pick out of Alabama in 2022, Williams' NFL career has kicked off in a less-than-ideal manner. He missed the first 11 games of his rookie season due to an ACL injury that he suffered in college then was suspended four games for violating the NFL's gambling policy in Year 2.

The gambling suspension was originally set for six games, for mobile betting on non-NFL games from a club facility, but it was later reduced to four games after the NFL changed the rules. He was reinstated in 2023.

Williams is disappointed with the current suspension, but he said he has "no choice but to take it on the chin."

"I'm in good spirits just ready to get back with [my] brothers ASAP," Williams told ESPN.

Thousands of Valencia fans protested against owner Peter Lim and the reported detention of two fans in Lim's home country of Singapore before and after its 3-2 loss to Las Palmas in LaLiga on Monday.

Dani Cuesta and his wife were detained in Singapore almost three weeks ago after Cuesta reportedly held up anti-Lim signs.

Valencia fans have been protesting Lim's management of their club for years.

The millionaire businessman bought Valencia in 2014 but supporters have been angered by what they feel is his absentee ownership, and thousands rallied outside Mestalla Stadium before the game.

Thousands more returned after a defeat that left Valencia bottom of La Liga with just one win in 10 matches.

The game started well for the home side with Pepelu putting Valencia ahead from the penalty spot after 14 minutes.

But Alex Muñoz equalized for Las Palmas three minutes before halftime and on-loan Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Fábio Silva put it 2-1 ahead seven minutes into the second period.

Pepelu was sent off for an off-the-ball incident after 69 minutes and Alberto Moleiro added a third for Las Palmas soon after.

César Tárrega got a goal back in stoppage time for Valencia but it was too little too late and Las Palmas celebrated a surprise first win this season and its first in La Liga since February.

The victory lifted it above Valencia on goal difference and off the bottom of the table.

The winter transfer window won't reopen in Europe for a while yet, but there are plenty of moves in the works and gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: Zirkzee eyes Old Trafford exit

Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee is already open to leaving the club in January, according to Calciomercato.

It is reported that the 23-year-old, who arrived at Old Trafford in July for a fee of 36.5 million from Bologna, wants to return to Italy, having previously turned down the chance to remain there during the last transfer window.

While AC Milan are said to have no interest in bringing the Netherlands international to the San Siro, Juventus are one of the clubs that could make a move amid belief that Zirkzee fits the profile of the type of forward they are looking for. The Italian outlet says that an approach for a potential loan deal could be made in January, but it is unclear whether United would be willing to let him leave without lining up a replacement first.

Zirkzee's record of one goal in 11 matches across all competitions this season has compounded a difficult start to life in England, and his recent form has also seen him lose his place in manager Erik ten Hag's starting XI to Rasmus Hojlund -- scorer of the winning goal in Saturday's 2-1 comeback victory over Brentford.

PAPER GOSSIP

- Chelsea are interested in Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush, reports Team Talk. The Blues are reportedly "heavily scouting" the 25-year-old, though they could face competition for him from both Liverpool and Arsenal, who are also keeping an eye on his progress. Marmoush has been one of the standout performers in Europe this season, with nine goals and four assists from the opening seven Bundesliga matches.

- Several "top clubs" from the Premier League are keeping close tabs on VfB Stuttgart forward Jamie Leweling, reports Sky Sports Deutschland's Florian Plettenberg. Interest in his signature is believed to have increased following his debut for the Germany national team and, while the 23-year-old is contracted at the Bundesliga club until 2028, a release clause in his contract allows him to be signed for a fee of around 25m next summer.

- Arsenal are keen on Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, according to Football Insider. The Gunners are reported to be plotting a move for the 25-year-old having been impressed by his start to the season, during which he has scored six goals in six Premier League games. It is believed that an offer worth at least 40m would be required to land the Cameroon star.

- Free agent defender Simon Kjaer is hopeful of reuniting with former manager Stefano Pioli at Al Nassr, reports Gazzetta dello Sport. The 35-year-old Denmark international, who left AC Milan when his contract expired in the summer, is said to be working hard to achieve fitness amid hopes of returning to football.

- Talks over a new contract are ongoing between Paris Saint-Germain and the representatives of left-back Nuno Mendes, says Nicolo Schira. PSG are said to be working on a new four and a half year extension that would secure the 22-year-old's future at the Parc des Princes until the summer of 2029. He has made six appearances across all competitions so far this season.

BOSTON -- The Boston Celtics aren't feeling the pressure ahead of the start of their title defense Tuesday night.

With the Celtics set to raise their 18th banner before kicking off the regular season against the New York Knicks, head coach Joe Mazzulla said there's "zero pressure" on Boston to repeat as champions.

"We're all going to be dead soon, and it really doesn't matter anymore. So there's zero pressure," he told reporters Monday. "You have an opportunity to carry the organization forward, to double down on the tradition and history of what this organization has. And what else would you expect than someone expecting you to win all the time?"

The Celtics cruised through the NBA regular season last year -- finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference by 14 games -- and then went 16-3 in the playoffs. Led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, they are bringing back their entire starting lineup and most of their bench, and are the favorites to win it all again.

"It's not pressure," Mazzulla said. "There's nothing anyone in this circle can do to me that's going to impact my identity and who I am as a person or a coach. We're either going to win or we're not, and 40 years from now, none of you are invited to my funeral and that's it."

The Celtics won 16 NBA titles from 1957 to 1986, with Bill Russell claiming 11 in 13 years. The 1970s teams of Dave Cowens and John Havlicek won a pair, and the Big Three of Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale won three more in the 1980s.

When Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen won it all in 2008, they ended the franchise's longest title drought. They made it back to the NBA Finals two years later, but lost to the Lakers. (The period from 2008 to 2024 was the second-longest drought.)

Celtics guard Payton Pritchard said that to be considered among the Celtics greats, they will need to win another.

"A lot of people can do it once," Pritchard said. "I know a championship's hard, but there's a lot of people who have won one. But winning it multiple times, creating almost like a dynasty, that's hard to do. So that's greatness, and that's something we're trying to achieve."

The quest begins against the Knicks, who have positioned themselves as Boston's top competition in the East after acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges over the summer.

Mazzulla said he thinks his team will be ready.

"I trust who they are. I think they have an understanding of both 'this is what we accomplished' and 'this is what we're trying to do,'" the coach said. "All the intangibles that go into winning should carry over from one season to another season.

"You have to appreciate it. But you've got to know what got you there and if you forget what got you there, you'll never get back."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.