Detroit — The Baltimore Ravens bullied the Detroit Lions the last time these two teams met in 2023.
This time, the Lions went toe-to-toe in an early-season battle of Super Bowl contenders, proving tough enough by punching the home team in the mouth on the opening drive. The Lions went on to weather every storm throughout the back-and-forth slugfest at M&T Bank Stadium on Monday night to earn the 38-30 victory.
Detroit’s 67-yard touchdown possession to open the game was later trumped by drives of 98 and 96 yards.
However, the nail in the coffin came via coach Dan Campbell’s trademark aggressiveness. Facing fourth-and-2 near midfield coming out of the two-minute warning, and nursing a one-score lead, the Lions opted to go for it instead of punting.
Faking a handoff to David Montgomery, quarterback Jared Goff dropped a perfect play-action pass to a tightly covered Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 20-yard gain. The next snap, Montgomery bounced a carry right through a hole for a 31-yard touchdown run to seal the impressive victory.
Detroit's defense also played a significant role in the victory, getting two stops in the red zone, forcing Ravens running back Derek Henry to fumble, and sacking quarterback Lamar Jackson seven times.
The Lions move to 2-1 with the win. The Ravens fall to 1-2.
Game ball
With the game tied late in the third quarter, the Lions were pinned deep by a Ravens punt. Running back David Montgomery came through with runs of 11 and 72 yards, setting up a go-ahead score to start the fourth frame.
Montgomery then delivered the knockout blow with a 31-yard touchdown in the closing minutes.
Scoring summary
First quarter
● 9:16 — It took the Lions until their eighth possession to score points the last time they played the Ravens in Baltimore. This time, they found the end zone with their opening possession.
Goff connected on 4-of-5, including two to Williams for 43 yards. However, the biggest play was a fourth-down conversion to St. Brown in the red zone, setting up a 1-yard touchdown run for Gibbs two plays later. LIONS 7, RAVENS 0
● 5:40 — Detroit’s run defense was porous during Baltimore’s opening possession, allowing the Ravens to march 80 yards on six plays to tie things up. Henry carried three times for 36 yards, going untouched up the middle on a 28-yard romp to cap the series. LIONS 7, RAVENS 7
Second quarter
● 5:55 — In one of Detroit’s most impressive drives in recent memory, the offense started at the 2-yard line, methodically working the length of the field in 18 plays. They also used nearly 11 minutes off the clock. The Lions converted on third down four times, starting with back-to-back passes to tight end Sam LaPorta.
The Lions ran the ball 12 times on the drive, overcoming some early sluggishness once they worked across midfield. Again, the drive finished with a 1-yard plunge, with David Montgomery putting a bow on the possession. LIONS 14, RAVENS 7
● 0:24 — Baltimore took over at midfield with 56 seconds remaining in the half, still holding all three timeouts. They didn’t have to use any of them.
Repeatedly getting out of bounds and picking up a 16-yard defensive pass interference penalty against Terrion Arnold, Jackson found an open Rashod Bateman for a 3-yard score out of play action to tie it up just ahead of the break. LIONS 14, RAVENS 14
Third quarter
● 8:51 — After Brian Branch dropped an interception, the Ravens worked it into the red zone with a 19-yard pass to Mark Andrews with Branch in coverage. Facing third-and-goal from the 14-yard line after an Al-Quadin Muhammad sack on the previous play, Jackson found Andrews on a corner route, besting the coverage of Alex Anzalone for a go-ahead score. RAVENS 21, LIONS 14
● 5:13 — Granted a short field after an errant kickoff, the Lions responded with a seven-play, 60-yard touchdown drive. LaPorta delivered another chain-moving grab on third down early in the series. A double pass to St. Brown pushed the possession into the red zone, and Goff dropped a beautiful ball over the shoulder of St. Brown, running a stop-and-go, on the next snap for an 18-yard score. LIONS 21, RAVENS 21
Fourth quarter
● 14:55 — After getting a defensive stopped, fueled by another Muhammad sack, Detroit started pinned deep after Baltimore’s punt was downed at the 4-yard line. No worries, Montgomery opened the series with an 11-yard gain before bursting up the middle on a 72-yard romp.
Facing fourth-and-1 from the Ravens’ 4-yard line, offensive coordinator John Morton dialed up a creative call. Goff handed the ball to St. Brown, who was aligned as an H-back. The receiver then flipped it to Gibbs, who got the corner and jetted across the goal line to put the Lions back in front. LIONS 28, RAVENS 21
● 9:40 — After the Ravens worked into the red zone, Detroit’s defense stiffened. DJ Reader made a diving stop on a Jackson scramble attempt, followed up by sacks from linebackers Trevor Nowaske and Derrick Barnes, forcing the home team to settle for a 41-yard field goal. LIONS 28, RAVENS 24
● 6:35 — The Lions had an opportunity to grab a two-score lead after recovering a fumble deep in Ravens’ territory. However, a personal foul against guard Christian Mahogany killed that chance. Jake Bates still managed to make it a touchdown game with a 45-yard field goal. LIONS 31, RAVENS 24
● 1:42 — A 20-yard pass to St. Brown on fourth-and-2 set up Montgomery’s 31-yard touchdown run. LIONS 38, RAVENS 24
● 0:29 — Racing down the field to keep comeback efforts afloat, the Ravens got a 37-yard pickup on a short throw to running back Justice Hill before Jackson found Andrews for a 27-yard score. The two-point try failed. LIONS 38, RAVENS 30
Turnovers
● Midway through the fourth quarter, Hutchinson punched the ball free from Henry with Reed jumping on the loose ball to give Detroit possession in the red zone.
Key stats
● Goff delivered another efficient performance, completing 20-of-28 for 202 yards, a touchdown and zero interceptions.
● Montgomery rushed for a career-high 151 yards on 12 carries with two touchdowns. Gibbs ahead two more touchdowns on 22 carries for 67 yards.
● St. Brown led the Lions with seven catches for 77 yards.
● Six different Lions recorded sacks, with Muhammad the only defender to get to Jackson twice.
Notable
● Late in the first half, with first-and-goal from the 3-yard line, the Lions held the Ravens out of the end zone four consecutive snaps. Linebacker Zach Cunningham came up with two stops, and Jack Campbell forced Jackson to fumble on fourth down to complete the stand.
● Bates attempted an NFL record 67-yard field goal to end the first half, but pulled the kick wide left.
Injuries
● Sione Vaki, making his season debut, exited in the first half with a groin injury.
Inactives
The Lions scratched defensive tackles Mekhi Wingo and Chris Smith, safety Thomas Harper, running back Craig Reynolds and offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun. None of the five were on the injury report coming into the game.
Next game
The Lions return home to Ford Field to battle the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 28, at 1 p.m.
Can we please stop all the hand-wringing about edge rushers??
That first goal line stand by the defense was the turning point of the game. Detroit's offense strung together many fantastic drives, but forcing Henry and Jackson to give ground made a visible difference in the defense's confidence.