The Detroit Lions have made a statement.
Detroit stunned the Baltimore Ravens 38-30 on the road on Monday Night Football in a game that felt like the Lions reintroduced themselves as a contender and a scoreline that flattered the hosts.
In a matchup that fans wanted to see in recent Super Bowls given the two team’s trajectories, Detroit blitzed Lamar Jackson with ease while dominating Baltimore’s defense with their two-man ground attack.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell continued his fourth-down aggressiveness, which paid off to put the game away early and not give Jackson another chance despite a garbage-time touchdown.
The win puts Detroit at 2-1 following its Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers, while the Ravens are 1-2 with their other loss also coming in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills.
Let’s analyze the game further with winners and losers:
WINNER: Lions’ pass rush
Welcome back, Aidan Hutchinson. Detroit’s star edge rusher returned after suffering a season-ending injury last year, helping the defensive unit put on a clinic against Jackson and forcing a key fumble later in the contest.
Jackson was sacked seven times for a loss of 55 yards. His usual ability to miraculously avoid being sacked and create a big play right after with his legs was rarely seen.
Six different rushers got home on Jackson, with Hutchinson logging one and Al-Quadin Muhammad leading the way with 2.5. On the opposite side, Baltimore didn’t bring down Jared Goff once.
LOSER: Derrick Henry, Ravens
It’s been a tough two weeks for King Henry after a 169-yard, two-touchdown performance in Week 1 at Buffalo.
He followed it up with 11 carries for 23 yards at home vs. Cleveland before slightly improving to 50 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown against Detroit.
But he also fumbled once again at a key moment, which Hutchinson popped open from behind. It happened on the first play of a Baltimore drive when it was chasing the game down 28-24 in the fourth.
Detroit went on to tack on three points from a field goal with the ensuing drive. As much as Jackson looked poor on the night, the Ravens also needed more from their RB1.
WINNER: Lions’ rushing combo
Montgomery and Gibbs — also known as Sonic and Knuckles — exploded simultaneously, proving to be too much to handle for a Ravens defense that was expected to be better.
Montgomery erupted for 151 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown, including a 72-yard burst late in the third quarter. He would later put the game to bed on a 31-yard house call in the fourth.
Gibbs supported his rushing mate with 67 ground yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. He also caught five passes on six targets for 32 yards. The duo was key to Detroit’s success last season and that will need to be the case again this year if they are to maximize their potential.
LOSER: Ravens’ upcoming schedule
A 1-2 record isn’t the worst thing in the world, especially when you have a squad like Baltimore’s. But the next three opponents are all playoff teams from a season ago, so the Ravens can’t really afford too many slip ups.
Up first is a road trip to the Kansas City Chiefs, where Patrick Mahomes is also looking to prove he can be the world’s best QB1 again. Then the Ravens will host C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans, though they are winless so far and don’t have a positive outlook as things stand.
The Los Angeles Rams will then visit after, and Matthew Stafford and Co. have given John Harbaugh’s side troubles before. How the Ravens come out of his stretch will say a lot about their ceiling this season.
WINNER: Dan Campbell, Lions
The Lions caught serious flack after a 27-13 Week 1 road loss at Green Bay. There were doubts about the team already peaking with a regression due. But that’s why full assessments can’t be made after just one game.
Detroit then routed the Chicago Bears 52-21 at home before this important road display in Baltimore. And the credit boils down to Campbell, who never strayed away from his identity despite it costing him before.
But such is the nature of being a risky playcaller. When it works, you’re a genius. When it fails, you’re one of many negative superlatives.
Only time will tell if the Lions can recreate their 15-2 magic from a season ago and go deeper in the postseason, but this performance has reignited the faith.
Here are five things to know about Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell.