ExtremeRavens Posted September 22 Posted September 22 Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Monday’s Week 3 game between the Ravens and Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore: Brian Wacker, reporter Ravens 27, Lions 23: This will not be the drubbing the Ravens delivered in 2023 when they raced out to a 28-0 halftime lead and turned the Lions one-dimensional en route to a 38-6 wipeout. Detroit has a new offensive coordinator (John Morton) with Ben Johnson now the coach of the Bears, but there is also too much talent between receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, tight end Sam LaPorta and quarterback Jared Goff to be held completely in check. This will be a test for the Ravens’ secondary after it got torched by the Bills in Week 1. But playing at home at night should help, and it will likely have an impact on Goff, who hasn’t been as impressive in hostile environments as he has been at home. Expect Lamar Jackson to continue to play at an elite level and Baltimore’s defense to do just enough for the win. Sam Cohn, reporter Ravens 31, Lions 28: It’s tough to pick against history. And the Ravens have plenty of it Monday nights on Russell Street. Not to mention Lamar Jackson’s near-perfect 24-2 record against NFC teams. Detroit has the offensive firepower to put points up on the board and keep this game interesting late, but expect Jackson and Derrick Henry to be difference makers in keeping the Ravens above .500. Detroit likes to communicate a lot at the line of scrimmage, too. That won’t be easy during a primetime matchup at M&T Bank Stadium, as Odafe Oweh said, when “you can’t hear the guy next to you. I feel like the ground shakes a little bit.” Advantage, Ravens — by a hair. Mike Preston, columnist Ravens 31, Lions 28: The Ravens’ secondary will be tested for the second time this season with the Lions and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and quarterback Jared Goff. Detroit also has a top running back in Jahmyr Gibbs. The Lions have a good defense, ranked No. 5 overall, particularly linemen D.J. Reader and Aidan Hutchinson. But the Ravens usually play well at home and they are on “Monday Night Football” for the first time this season. It’s showtime. Josh Tolentino, columnist Ravens 34, Lions 31: Detroit’s skill players will land their fair share of punches, but Baltimore’s edges in elite quarterback play and prime-time poise tilt a tight one in the Ravens’ favor. Last week, Lamar Jackson proved that he can still be highly effective even when his top weapons aren’t clicking. With tight end Isaiah Likely on the mend, Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Monken need to find a way to get their go-to playmakers more involved. It’d be tough imagining another forgettable performance from Derrick Henry, who managed just 23 rushing yards against Cleveland, his worst outing as a Raven. Zach Orr’s defense won’t pitch a shutout against a high-powered offensive machine, but a late-game takeaway could be the final flex needed from a group eager to prove it’s better than its 31st-ranked passing defense. C.J. Doon, editor Lions 27, Ravens 24: This was a bad week for the Ravens’ defense to be banged up. With Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey battling injuries and Nnamdi Madubuike and Kyle Van Noy ruled out, the last team you want to see is one coming off hanging half-a-hundred against a division rival. The Ravens are now starting fourth-round rookie Teddye Buchanan at inside linebacker alongside first-round safety Malaki Starks, and second-rounder Mike Green will be called on for more snaps in Van Noy’s absence. Rookie Aeneas Peebles and offseason addition John Jenkins will have bigger roles in the middle of the defensive line. Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie has played just two games in Baltimore’s scheme. That’s a lot of inexperience for coordinator Zach Orr to contend with. As shaky as Jared Goff might be outdoors in a hostile environment, the Lions have a cohesive group and a lot of explosive playmakers to give the ball to. Continuity gets the slight edge in this one. Bennett Conlin, editor Ravens 34, Lions 27: The Ravens look like a clear-cut Super Bowl contender with upside in all three phases. The Lions could get there, too, but I have questions about their defense with an injured Marcus Davenport highlighting the team’s pass-rushing issues. Detroit’s defense will return defensive tackle Alim McNeill and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez at some point this season, but they won’t be ready for Monday night. With the Lions missing those key contributors and having a first-year defensive coordinator, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken should be salivating. The Lions’ offense could make this game intriguing, as Detroit has several weapons at wide receiver (Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and others) and running back (Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery) to complement Jared Goff. A developing defense trying to stop Lamar Jackson on the road in prime-time is too tall a task, though. Baltimore’s coordinator continuity makes the difference Monday, as the Ravens will play like a more cohesive team. Tim Schwartz, editor Ravens 45, Lions 38: The highest-scoring team in the AFC welcomes the highest-scoring team in the NFC for a prime-time showdown. Baltimore has had no trouble dropping 40 or more points on the Bills and Browns, and I don’t expect Detroit to slow down Lamar Jackson and company all that much. The real question is, can the Ravens do enough to slow down Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs and the Lions? The answer two years ago when these teams last met was a resounding yes, as Baltimore dominated in a 38-6 victory. The Ravens are 6-1 all-time against Detroit, and I expect that to improve to 7-1 after an exciting shootout at M&T Bank Stadium. Patrice Sanders, FOX45 Morning News anchor Ravens 31, Lions 27: The Ravens play very well when they’re at home and when they’re on national TV. Not to overlook the Lions, though. They’re coming off a high-scoring game with their 52-point outing against the Bears. The Ravens must be able to stop the run and prevent the big pass play down the field. If Marlon Humphrey is limited or unable to play with that groin injury, that could put the Ravens’ pass defense at risk. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article Quote
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