Going into Monday Night Football, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were prepared for what would be a tough matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. After getting out to an early 10-0 lead, though, things started to unravel for the Bucs.
Multiple Baker Mayfield interceptions and 34 unanswered points from the Ravens led Bucs fans to believing the loss was a foregone conclusion. However, after the third quarter concluded, Tampa Bay's defense finally provided a much-needed spark.
Early in the fourth quarter, as the game looked to be getting away from the Bucs, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson dropped back to pass and targeted wide receiver Zay Flowers on a throw behind the line of scrimmage. It was a backwards pass which ultimately hit the ground and was then picked up by Bucs cornerback Zyon McCollum.
What McCollum proceeded to do had shades of Mike Alstott.
Surely, that sounds like quite the exaggeration. However, I can assure you, it is far from an exaggeration. As McCollum picked up the loose football and began to run, multiple Ravens players attempted to tackle him.
Unable to bring him to the ground, those Ravens continued to hang on as McCollum dragged them approximately 30 yards all the way into the end zone for a touchdown. It was truly one of the most incredible scoring plays you will ever see ... that did not count.
Almost a wild scoop and score!
— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2024
McCollum was ruled down by contact before the return.
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Why didn't Zyon McCollum's fumble return for a touchdown count?
Upon video replay, it was proven that McCollum was in fact touched down when his knee originally hit the ground as he was in the process of picking up the football. Both tight end Isaiah Likely along with Flowers made contact with McCollum.
The Bucs would end up redeeming McCollum's almost-touchdown by going down and scoring anyways, while also adding in a two-point conversion to bring the game within two scores. But, the comeback effort looked like it was coming in a tad too late, as there was no slowing down Baltimore from that point on.
McCollum's highlight play came on a night where Jackson and the Ravens torched Tampa Bay's secondary. It might have been the only real positive play made by a Buccaneers defensive back in this one, as Jackson would enjoy one of the best games of his entire career.
The Bucs' secondary came into this game as arguably the biggest worry for Tampa fans, and they proved it as much outside of McCollum's wild fumble return.