Lions–Ravens: What Monday Night Will Tell Us
Lions–Ravens: What Monday Night Will Tell Us – The Lions put the league on notice last week with a 52–21 demolition of Chicago, shaking off the frustration of their sloppy opener in Green Bay. But blowing out the Bears was the easy part. The real test comes under the lights in Baltimore, where Lamar Jackson and the Ravens have turned Monday nights into a showcase. This isn’t just another regular-season game — it’s a measuring stick for how far Detroit has come since the last time they visited Baltimore, and how ready they are to compete with the NFL’s elite.
They Got Smart About Being Obvious
Everyone knew the Lions needed to get back to running the ball after that messy opener. The Bears knew it. The media knew it. I knew it. Gibbs was frustrated all day in the opener, and all signs pointed back to the interior of the offensive line—time to turn the page from that stinker.
So what did Detroit do? They went back to their old ways, expertly running the play-action game. Goff did what he does best: sell the hand-off and let his receivers get open downfield. Brock Wright in the end zone, Amon-Ra St. Brown near the goal line, and that beautiful 64-yard bomb to Jameson Williams—all came off play-action.
When defenses bite, this offense flows. John Morton’s game plan flipped the script and gave Goff clean looks all afternoon.
The Offensive Line Finally Showed Up
None of this works if the quarterback is running for his life. Against Green Bay, Goff was pressured constantly. Against Chicago, he was barely touched. The line gave him time, and when Goff has time, he looks like an elite passer.
The ground game posted 177 yards at nearly six a pop, but most of it came on the perimeter. The next step? Proving they can still get three yards up the middle when everyone knows it’s coming. That’s what makes a good offense great, especially when closing out games. This is David Montgomery’s specialty, and I hope we can see him seal the game down the stretch by pounding it on the ground to keep Baltimore’s offense off the field.
Amon-Ra Is Just Different
Three touchdowns told the story on the stat sheet, but his route-running told the real one. Amon-Ra St. Brown has a knack for making good defenders look ordinary. On one catch, a simple 16-yard gain, he beat the jam, split two linebackers, then shook a corner at the catch point. That’s a testament to his speed and strength, something we all have been accustomed to throughout his time in Detroit.
And Williams’ long touchdown wasn’t just about speed. He was quoted earlier saying that he knew that play was going to be a touchdown. He wouldn’t reveal how he knew, but it shows that it’s more than just his burners — it’s about recognition and being on the same page with Goff.
The Defense Has Questions to Answer
Four sacks look good in the box score, but most came with the game already in hand. The bigger question is whether this unit can generate pressure when opponents still have the option to run.
Al-Quadin Muhammad showed up in a big way. If Marcus Davenport’s absence stretches out, Muhammad has to continue producing opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
Injury Report and Personnel Concerns
The Lions head into Baltimore banged up at key spots:
- Marcus Davenport (chest) – Ruled out. Dan Campbell confirmed it’s not season-ending, but there’s no timeline yet. This is a tough blow, especially since Brad Holmes didn’t add much depth at the position in the offseason. Now the Lions are thin on the edge.
- Al-Quadin Muhammad – Will start opposite Hutchinson. His pass-rush win rate sits at 28% (per PFF), sixth-best in the NFL. Hutchinson praised him this week: “Quan is great. He’s awesome, a great teammate, and he’s been playing some really good football. … We’re going to get after it.”
- Taylor Decker (shoulder) – Questionable, but trending in the right direction. He played every snap last week and got a full Friday practice before resting Saturday.
- Jack Campbell (ankle), D.J. Reed (knee), Kerby Joseph (knee) – all questionable. Joseph’s status looms largest against Baltimore’s play-action attack.
Lamar Is the Problem
Let’s not sugarcoat it—Lamar Jackson is one of the league’s true superstars. You can gameplan all you want, but stopping him is rare. The goal is to limit the damage and hope he has an off day.
The last time Detroit faced him, he shredded the defense with 357 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and another 36 on the ground. He’s now 7–2 on Monday Night Football with zero career interceptions in those games. That’s dominance under the brightest lights.
Containment is everything. Hutchinson and Muhammad have to set the edge, keep Lamar inside the pocket, and rely on disciplined rush lanes. If he gets loose, he can beat you with his legs. If he has time, he can beat you from the pocket. Pick your poison.
Ravens Weapons to Watch
- Derrick Henry: 169 yards vs the Bills, 29 vs the Browns; that’s a big discrepancy. Whichever version shows up on monday might be the difference.
- Kyle Hamilton: Baltimore’s do-it-all safety can line up anywhere—deep, in the slot, in the box. Goff must identify him pre-snap, or drives will get blown up.
- Zay Flowers: Emerging as Lamar’s go-to target with his burst and agility.
- DeAndre Hopkins: Veteran presence who still wins contested balls and moves chains.
What Dan Campbell Said
Campbell knows the assignment. On Saturday he said of Baltimore: “They’re physical, they’re smart, and they won’t beat themselves. We’ve got to match that energy for four quarters.”
He also praised Hutchinson’s leadership, noting the defensive front must “collapse the pocket as a unit” rather than freelancing for sacks.
The Vegas Line and Weather
Baltimore opened as a 3.5-point favorite, with the over/under sitting at 47. The forecast calls for clear skies and mild temperatures, so weather won’t bail anyone out.
My Take
This is the kind of game that tests everything. Can Detroit’s line hold up against a creative defense? Can they generate pressure without Davenport? And can they keep feeding Jameson Williams downfield to stretch coverage?
If the Lions protect Goff, avoid turnovers, and keep Lamar hemmed in, they can win this on the road. But those are tall tasks.
It comes down to the fourth quarter—one possession, one stop, one score either way. Whoever executes in the final five minutes will walk away with a statement win.
Either way, Monday night will tell us exactly where Detroit stands.
Prediction: Baltimore 34, Detroit 27
