Characterizing the Lions’ Monday nighter at the Ravens as a revenge game might be a bit much, but don’t be fooled the Lions have not forgotten the 38-6 shellacking at Baltimore in 2023.
“Physically they wore us out, physically they beat us up,’’ coach Dan Campbell said. “That’s hard when we worked the way we worked, detailed our scheme is one thing. But physically when they go in and out-performed us physically, that’s what we took from it.’’
Two years later much has changed for both teams who have started the season 1-1.
The Lions have not had luck winning at Baltimore, but they are coming off a solid performance in a win over the Chicago Bears.
“ I want to go in this place and know that we can continue to get better against a really good team, at their place, knowing what kind of team they are and what their identity is. Because I know our identity,’’ Campbell said. “That’s going to – let’s give ourselves a chance at the end of the day to win this one. That’s the whole point, man. And it’s going to take all three units being on top.”
Five things to watch:
ONE: Not surprisingly, Jared Goff and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown have found success in the first two games, especially in Sunday’s win over the Bears when they connected for three touchdowns and a total of 115 yards. The Ravens’ passing defense is ranked 31st in NFL allowing 298 passing yards per game. It’s a stat that could be deceiving since there have only been two games. “Listen, it’s an art form. So, if you love art – which I’m not saying I do or I don’t – but it’s awesome to watch,’’ Campbell said. “They’ve got such a rapport with each other and they trust each other immensely. The way that he runs his routes and he’s so crisp and he’s so detailed and his body demeanor screams to Goff, it helps him anticipate the throws. And they’ve just got so much time on task, he knows exactly what he’s going to do and (Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown) Saint knows exactly where the ball’s going to be before he’s out of the break.’’
TWO: The Lions must contain mobile QB Lamar Jackson. Last week he was held to two runs for 13 yards but passed for four touchdowns and 224 yards. This will be the third straight week the Lions have faced a mobile QB. “It does help to have faced two mobile quarterbacks,’’ Campbell said of the Bears’ Caleb Williams and the Packers’ Jordan Love. Lamar is the catalyst of the Ravens’ offense. He’s special but the Lions defense played well in the win over the Bears. They’ll need to bring that again this week. “What does Lamar do well? Everything. What does he not do well? Nothing. I mean he could beat you all different ways. Run game, pass game, pass game he could do it in the pocket, out of the pocket,’’ defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said.
THREE: Ravens running back Derrick Henry averaged just 2.1 yards per carry for a total of 23 yards in the win over the Browns. On the other hand, WRs Zay Flowers, DeAndre Hopkins and Devontez Walker will provide a challenge for the Lions’ secondary. They combined for four touchdown catches last week. “It’ll be a good challenge, but I’ll tell you, we’re excited for this challenge. We recognize this opponent, we respect what they’re about, and we’re looking forward to this, going out there at their place on Monday night,’’ Campbell said. “So this is going to be fun, man. This is one of those, this is why you do it.”
FOUR: It’s key to get off to a good start. In that miserable loss in 2023 the Lions were down 28-0 at the half. Sheppard said it’s important to get a stop on the Ravens’ first drive.: “For me it sets the tone for the day. Now, it doesn’t dictate the outcome of the day because you could have a first three-and-out and not get off the field the rest of the game,’‘ Sheppard said. “That’s not good. But, to me it sets the tone. And me as a defensive guy, I want to be out there first and set the tone for the day. So when we’re called to do that, we need to go do that and let the offense know they feed off us, we feed off them, you saw it last week. It was a three-headed monster we had.’’
FIVE: Look for a bigger role for rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa who has had just two catches in two games but they both were highlight-reel one-handed grabs. One for a touchdown in Week 1 and the other — a 29-yarder — to set up a TD against the Bears. “People say he has great hands, I don’t necessarily know that he has great hands, I haven’t seen his left hand yet,’’ said Scottie Montgomery, Lions assistant head coach/WRs. “… Probably two of the more impressive catches that I’ve seen.”
PREDICTION: Lions 28, Ravens 24
MONDAY: Lions (1-1) at Ravens (1-1), 8:15 p.m.
UP NEXT: Cleveland Browns at Lions, 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28.
Lions Lowdown 