Allen Park — If the Detroit Lions required a reminder to stay grounded after dropping 52 points on the Chicago Bears last Sunday, they need not look further than the last time the schedule took them to Baltimore.
Love your content Justin, however I simply don't agree that this is a better Ravens team than that awful day in 2023. I feel like we hear the same narrative about the Ravens every year, but that 2023 team was the highest rated team by DVOA in recent memory on both sides of the ball. The defensive scheme was the latest hot new thing and has clearly not had the same results without Mcdonald, although still dangerous.
I'd argue their o-line is closer to league average than great, and elevated by scheme and great players around them more than anything, and will look human when matching up with elite d-linemen like hutch. I'd say the same for their dline, elevated by scheme but can be neutralized by great players on our side
In 2023, Gibbs, LaPorta, Branch, and Campbell were rookies. Hutchinson, Jamo and Kerby Joseph were starting their second year. So I'm not buying the idea that time has stood still and it's the fifth quarter of that blowout.
As for Baltimore, they're obviously very good. But they bleed like everyone else. It's time to collect that IOU.
I watched the Cleveland game and honestly wasn't blown away by the Ravens offense. One of the scores was by the defense and another was setup by a defensive turnover returned to the opponent's 5-yard line. Henry was pretty much shut down (23 yards). I think the defense is very good, but Flacco was so bad it was hard to gauge. I think it comes down to which Lions team shows up, and I agree with others that this is a "show me" game for our team. Of course, you can never count out Lamar doing Lamar stuff, but I still like our chances.
Even without Ragnow, Detroit is much better than it was then.
It's irked me the past couple of years, watching teams like the Ravens and Eagles steamroll clubs that aren't as physical as the Lions. Well, they're finally on the schedule. Let's find out if Henry can bully a linebacker as big as he is, or if those Raven safeties can handle our receiving room.
Justin, I'm dying to know the answer to this question: I know the Lions have a strong conviction about playing heavy man defense but it kills them against mobile quarterbacks. Why do they refuse to adapt and incorporate more zone against a team like Baltimore?! It is SO painful watching guys chase their guy with their backs turned while Lamar runs free down the field. DC is a smart guy that doesn't seem stubborn so what am I missing here?
Zone isn't as easy as flipping a switch. It takes so much more chemistry, communication and understanding of schematic rules to be successful. If one guy is bad, it's all bad.
Totally get it, but I guess my question should have been, after seeing all the issue they've had with mobile quarterbacks the last few years, why haven't they made that a priority in the off-season to incorporate zone more for games just like this and frankly against any of the top tier quarterbacks that can also run?
Even within man, there are almost always eyes in the backfield. Lions play with a lot of robber concepts, so you have a LB and floating box safety with eyes on the QB. The problem will always be angles against the elite speed guys. That's why the emphasis is on condensing the pocket and containing.
I figure if the Browns can score 17 against the Ravens and the Lions are at least twice as good, we can score 34. The Bills scored 41 and our offense is just about as good. The D will need to be better as the difference will be Jackson's running.
Last Lions win in Charm City was in 1977. Leonard Thompson recovered a blocked Colts punt with 13 seconds left and scored. 13-10, Lions, on the dirt at old Memorial Stadium. I suspect we will see more points than that in the first quarter on Monday.
Leonard Thompson was a darned good player. I think he averaged 27 yards a catch one year, and he was vicious on special teams ... as Leon Bright of the Giants can tell you, once he wakes up.
This will just show where my Ravens Defense, basically the front 4
This will just show where my Ravens Defense, basically the front 4
This will just show where my Ravens Defense, basically the front 4
Love your content Justin, however I simply don't agree that this is a better Ravens team than that awful day in 2023. I feel like we hear the same narrative about the Ravens every year, but that 2023 team was the highest rated team by DVOA in recent memory on both sides of the ball. The defensive scheme was the latest hot new thing and has clearly not had the same results without Mcdonald, although still dangerous.
I'd argue their o-line is closer to league average than great, and elevated by scheme and great players around them more than anything, and will look human when matching up with elite d-linemen like hutch. I'd say the same for their dline, elevated by scheme but can be neutralized by great players on our side
In 2023, Gibbs, LaPorta, Branch, and Campbell were rookies. Hutchinson, Jamo and Kerby Joseph were starting their second year. So I'm not buying the idea that time has stood still and it's the fifth quarter of that blowout.
As for Baltimore, they're obviously very good. But they bleed like everyone else. It's time to collect that IOU.
I feel very proud of both of our analyses here lolll
Living in Baltimore I still have PTSD after the last game, this will be a tough match up.
With the Ravens being such a juggernaut, do they even worry about us with their roster being even better than 2 years ago?
They are not gonna score 52. But 30+ is possible. NEED STOPS - punts and/or takeaways - especially early, or forget it.
If the Lions can slow down Henry and keep Jackson in the pocket they have a chance but it won't be easy.
I watched the Cleveland game and honestly wasn't blown away by the Ravens offense. One of the scores was by the defense and another was setup by a defensive turnover returned to the opponent's 5-yard line. Henry was pretty much shut down (23 yards). I think the defense is very good, but Flacco was so bad it was hard to gauge. I think it comes down to which Lions team shows up, and I agree with others that this is a "show me" game for our team. Of course, you can never count out Lamar doing Lamar stuff, but I still like our chances.
Even without Ragnow, Detroit is much better than it was then.
It's irked me the past couple of years, watching teams like the Ravens and Eagles steamroll clubs that aren't as physical as the Lions. Well, they're finally on the schedule. Let's find out if Henry can bully a linebacker as big as he is, or if those Raven safeties can handle our receiving room.
What’s the chance of the team going with Motor City Muscle jerseys for MNF? Obviously if the Ravens do their black jerseys then we won’t.
This game will be a true indication of where the Lions rank across the league.
Maybe. As of Week 3.
I’m glad someone said it
Justin, I'm dying to know the answer to this question: I know the Lions have a strong conviction about playing heavy man defense but it kills them against mobile quarterbacks. Why do they refuse to adapt and incorporate more zone against a team like Baltimore?! It is SO painful watching guys chase their guy with their backs turned while Lamar runs free down the field. DC is a smart guy that doesn't seem stubborn so what am I missing here?
Zone isn't as easy as flipping a switch. It takes so much more chemistry, communication and understanding of schematic rules to be successful. If one guy is bad, it's all bad.
Totally get it, but I guess my question should have been, after seeing all the issue they've had with mobile quarterbacks the last few years, why haven't they made that a priority in the off-season to incorporate zone more for games just like this and frankly against any of the top tier quarterbacks that can also run?
Even within man, there are almost always eyes in the backfield. Lions play with a lot of robber concepts, so you have a LB and floating box safety with eyes on the QB. The problem will always be angles against the elite speed guys. That's why the emphasis is on condensing the pocket and containing.
Makes sense. Here's to hoping DC and the boys can finally figure out how to at least contain Lamar.
Best way to contain him is to get our running game going, control time of possession, and keep him off the field.
They are running more zone under shep. They're having issues with the transition though. That's why Rome was wide open for that one TD.
I figure if the Browns can score 17 against the Ravens and the Lions are at least twice as good, we can score 34. The Bills scored 41 and our offense is just about as good. The D will need to be better as the difference will be Jackson's running.
Very scientific analysis.
Last Lions win in Charm City was in 1977. Leonard Thompson recovered a blocked Colts punt with 13 seconds left and scored. 13-10, Lions, on the dirt at old Memorial Stadium. I suspect we will see more points than that in the first quarter on Monday.
Why does the past matter
Leonard Thompson was a darned good player. I think he averaged 27 yards a catch one year, and he was vicious on special teams ... as Leon Bright of the Giants can tell you, once he wakes up.
A lot of the sting of the Green Bay game would be erased with a win at Baltimore. Tough matchup.
I think a win at the Ravens on MNF would obliterate the sting from the GB game.