Ravens Tame the Lions in Dominate Week Seven Victory

The Ravens entered their matchup on Sunday against the Lions sitting at 4-2 and atop the AFC north, but for fans and the team it didn’t feel like there was much cause for celebration. The Ravens had struggled through the first six weeks of the season to put a complete four quarter game together. Even in their wins there were glaring issues particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

Enter Sunday, the Lions came to Baltimore 5-1 and winners of four straight. Many experts heading into the game picked the Lions and for many reasons rightfully so. The NFC’s hottest team against a team struggling to play a full game and one week after a trip to London, there was a lot to like about the Lions.

But like they say the game isn’t won on paper. As the Ravens completely dismantled the Lions from the opening possession of the game in route to a 38-6 victory.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson looked in MVP form as he led the Ravens down for an opening drive touchdown, with Jackson taking it in himself for a seven-yard touchdown run. The onslaught didn’t stop their however as they Ravens would score on their first four possession to take a commanding 28-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

Jackson found his receiver Nelson Agholor for his first touchdown pass of the day on an impress play that saw Jackson escape pressure and roll out to his right before throwing a bullet to Agholor for the 12-yard score. Tight end Mark Andrews was the recipient of two Jackson touchdown throws. Andrews finished the day with 4 catches for 63 yards and the two scores.

Running back Gus Edwards would be the other Raven to find the end zone on the day and finished the day with 14 carries for 64 yards while also adding one catch that went for an impressive 80-yards. The Ravens finished with 146 rushing yards on the game.

There was no denying Jackson had his best game of the year as he finished the day 21-for-27 for 357 yards, four touchdowns, and adding 36 yards on the ground on nine carries and a touchdown. Jackson’s efficiency this year has been incredible as he once again had a completion percentage over 70%, the sixth time in seven games he has accomplished that feat. Jackson also had a quarterback rating of 155.8, the third time he has had a quarterback rating off 155 or higher in his career.

This is the offense many have been waiting to see under offensive coordinator Todd Monken, but what impressed the most was the group effort offensively as nine different players caught a pass.

But it wasn’t just the Ravens offense that was having a great day. The Ravens defense imposed their will early over Lions quarterback Jared Goff. The Ravens forced the Lions to go three-and-out on their first three drives totaling only 14 yards during those three drives. The Lions converted their first, first down with 7:42 to go in the second quarter.

Goff was pressured throughout the game being sacked five times, the most times he has been sacked this year, with two of those sacks coming from linebacker Kyle Van Noy. The Ravens held the number four ranked passer in terms of yards to 33-for-53 passing for 284 yards and no touchdowns. 102 of Goff’s 284 yards came from Amon-Ra St. Brown who had 13 catches for 102 yards and was targeted a total of 19 times. Goff’s 62.3% completion percentage was also his lowest of the year.

Ravens safety Geno Stone notched his NFL leading fourth interception, picking off Goff in the third quarter, his second interception in two weeks.

Lions rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs appeared to be the only bright spot for the Lions on Sunday as he got the start in place of an injured David Montgomery. Gibbs would score the Lions only touchdown a 21-yard run early in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late. Gibbs would finish with 68 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown and adding nine receptions for 58 yards for the Lions.

While its just one regular season game Sunday was a good building block and a good confidence booster to this team. The potential for this team was on full display against a team that is expected to be competitive in the NFC playoff picture throughout the rest of the year. But even though the Ravens played their most complete and best game so far this year their is still room for growth and improvement.

One of those areas that desperately needs to be fixed is the fumbling. The Ravens gave away their seventh fumble on Sunday on another botched exchange from Jackson to running back Justice Hill late in the first half. This has been an issue all season for this Ravens offense that is unacceptable and will lose this team important games moving forward if it continues.

Sunday’s win moves the Ravens to 5-2 as they maintain first place in the AFC north. The Ravens hit the road again next Sunday as they travel to Arizona to battle the 1-6 Cardinals.

Notable Injuries:

Keaton Mitchell (hamstring)- Week-to-Week

Games Notes:

The Ravens 503 yards of total offense is the most by the team since 2021.

Cornerback Arthur Maulet and linebacker Roquan Smith led all Ravens in tackles with eight.

For the seventh time in his career quarterback Lamar Jackson threw four touchdowns while also rushing for a touchdown, Jackson is the only player in history to do it seven times before the age of 30.

Zay Flowers became the second wide receiver since 1970 to have at least 50 scrimmage yards in each of his first seven career games.

With his two touchdowns on Sunday tight end Mark Andrews is now two touchdown catches away from tying Todd Heaps Ravens record for most all-time receiving touchdowns.