Detroit Lions game vs Baltimore Ravens: Scouting report and prediction

Detroit Lions (1-1) vs Baltimore Ravens (1-1)

Fast facts: 8:15 p.m. ET, Sept. 22; M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore; ESPN; WXYT-FM (97.1).

Line: Ravens by 4½.

The coaches: Lions — Dan Campbell (45-36-1 overall, 40-29-1 with Lions); Ravens — John Harbaugh (173-105 overall)

Last meeting: Oct. 22, 2023, Ravens won 38-6.

Key matchups

Lions QB Jared Goff vs Ravens QB Lamar Jackson

It's not going to grab as many headlines as the matchup between Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen did in Week 1, but the matchup between Jackson and Lions quarterback Jared Goff is another tilt between elite NFL passers.

Goff? Elite? Yup, here's the evidence. After finishing fifth in MVP voting in 2024, Goff, through two games, leads the NFL in completion percentage (80.6%), is tied for first in passing touchdowns (six) and is second in quarterback rating (82.1) in 2025. But who's first in quarterback rating in 2025?

That would be Jackson (83.3), the future Hall-of-Famer whose six passing touchdowns tie Goff for the most in the NFL this season. And while Jackson hasn't been nearly as prolific on the ground so far in 2025, his 10.4 yards per carry are the most of any player with at least eight attempts so far this season. Not the most of any quarterback, mind you, but the most of any NFL rusher.

This will be a contrast of styles between a traditional but highly-effective pocket passer and a do-it-all playmaker, who is effective inside the pocket, outside the pocket, downfield and everywhere between. It's not controversial to say the Ravens have the edge in the quarterback department, but the guy the Lions have taking snaps has been nearly as productive as the two-time MVP — at least so far in 2025.

Lions RB David Montgomery vs Ravens LB Roquan Smith

The Lions' passing attack was especially effective down the middle of the field in Sunday's 52-21 win over the Chicago Bears, with Goff finding open swaths of field for midrange passes to tight end Sam LaPorta, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and especially on deep throws to wide receiver Jameson Williams. Leveraging the middle of the field is going to be important once again for the Lions to exploit a talented but vulnerable Ravens' secondary.

But the Ravens aren't the Bears, which means the Lions might have to work a lot more to open up the middle on Monday night than they did last Sunday.

Enter: running back David Montgomery, who the Lions want to get going against the Ravens. Montgomery's ability to collapse defenses with his inside running doesn't need to be the focal point of the Lions offense, which has plenty of other weapons. But if the threat of Montgomery carrying the ball can get All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith to step forward on play-action passes, that might leave enough room for LaPorta and St. Brown to work their magic down the middle.

It's easier said than done, of course, especially since the Lions haven't really gotten the running game going at its peak, with the exception of a few explosive plays from running back Jahmyr Gibbs last Sunday. But if Montgomery's gravity opens up the field, it could be another pass-fest for the Lions on Monday.

Scouting report

Lions offense vs Ravens defense

Here's one big question that remains about the Lions' offense after getting back on track in Week 2: Did the offensive line really fix its communication issues from a Week 1 loss in Green Bay? Or did friendlier confines at Ford Field mask an issue that will creep up again on the road in Baltimore?

It's unclear right now what the answer is, but if a new-look offensive line that features first-year starters Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany can pass block for Goff as well as it did against the Bears, this Lions' passing attack has a clear edge over Baltimore's secondary.

After all, the Ravens have given up 298 passing yards per game in 2025, which is the second-worst mark in the NFL. That stat might be a little misleading, since it includes the 389 passing yards they gave up to Allen and the Bills in Week 1. Then again, it may be predictive, since the Lions look to have a more prolific passing attack than the Bills, even without the reigning MVP at their disposal.

As for the rushing game, that's where the Ravens might have the advantage, with stars such as Roquan Smith and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike as part of a hefty set of run-stoppers (it's worth nothing that Madubuike did not practice on Thursday and has been dealing with injuries this season). But the Lions don't need Montgomery and Gibbs to be great — they just need them to be good enough to keep the Ravens' front seven on its toes. The O-line will have much to say on that front.

If the Lions' offensive line plays like it did on Sunday, then the Lions have the edge over an admittedly talented Baltimore defense. And if Monday's game ends up in a shootout, that edge could prove to be pivotal. Edge: Lions.

Lions defense vs Ravens offense

The Ravens rushing offense, featuring arguably the most unstoppable set of runners the NFL has ever seen, might be able to do whatever it wants on Monday.

That's going to depend on how rookie defensive tackle Tyleik Williams plus a banged-up linebacker corps responds to Jackson and All-Pro running back Derrick Henry, who already has 192 rushing yards on just 29 carries this season (a cool 6.6 yards per attempt). Campbell this week emphasized the Lions' defense swarming the ball and gang tackling to help neutralize Jackson and Henry, but there's only so much the Lions can contain against what is, on paper, the most talented rushing offense in the NFL.

And if the Lions can somehow limit Baltimore's run game, the Ravens can still strike through the air, with Pro Bowler Zay Flowers and veteran DeAndre Hopkins lining up out wide. That's a matchup nightmare for the Lions secondary, which allowed Bears receiver Rome Odunze to put up 128 receiving yards and two touchdowns on seven catches on Sunday.

The best hope the Lions defense has is through turnovers. Jackson isn't exactly vulnerable to interceptions, with an absurd 41-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2024. But if the Lions can pick off Jackson just once or recover just one fumble, that could swing the advantage to the Lions. But that's a lot to ask for, especially for a defense that has looked good, but not great, against lesser offensive units. Edge: Ravens.

Christian Romo's prediction for Detroit Lions vs Baltimore Ravens

It's possible the Lions fixed everything that ailed them with their Week 2 beatdown of the Bears and still stand among the league's best teams, but two issues remain for Detroit's upcoming Monday night game: the Ravens have more talent on offense, and the Ravens are playing at home.

Here's one win condition for the Lions: the Ravens cough up a fumble on special teams and Jackson throws his first interception of the season, giving the Lions two extra possessions against a tired Ravens defense. They beat the Ravens at their own game with short-yardage gains from Gibbs and Montgomery followed by explosive plays to St. Brown and Williams that rack up the points on the road. And though the Lions defense struggles to contain Jackson and Henry, patient possessions and red zone conversions from the Lions offense find the edge in a barnburner, with the Lions taking a 48-45 win on the road.

But that would require so many things to swing in the Lions favor, which, unfortunately, just isn't likely against what might be the best team in the NFL. The Ravens are the better team, and also highly motivated to prove it at home in front of a national audience. The pick: Ravens 42, Lions 30.

Dave Birkett's prediction

The Lions got back on track in a big way last week against the Chicago Bears but have their hands full this week with the team I regard as the best in the NFL. The Ravens are averaging 40.5 points through the first two weeks and have the league's best rushing attack with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.

They're not invincible: Henry has two fumbles and Josh Allen had his way with Baltimore's pass defense in the Buffalo Bills' Week 1 comeback victory. But playing a Monday night game on the road is another stern test for the Lions' young offensive line.

The Lions took a butt-kicking last time they went to Baltimore. Dan Campbell's team has typically been all-in in revenge games, but I don't see them walking away victorious in a potential Super Bowl preview. The pick: Ravens 31, Lions 27.

You can reach Christian at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions vs Baltimore Ravens in Week 3: Scouting report, pick