The Detroit Lions overwhelmed the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night, winning 38-30 behind a dominant defensive performance and powerful rushing by Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Both running backs scored two touchdowns, and Detroit sacked Lamar Jackson seven times while outrushing Baltimore 224 yards to 85.
The Lions’ offensive line exploited a Ravens front missing key defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike. Detroit converted long drives of 98 and 96 yards, showcasing physical dominance and disciplined execution.
“To get seven sacks [against Jackson] is insane, hats off to our defense,” Lions receiver Amon-Ra St Brown said after the game.
Detroit held a 31-24 lead with under two minutes remaining. On fourth-and-two from their own 49, Jared Goff completed a 21-yard pass to St Brown. Montgomery then ran 31 yards for a touchdown, finishing the night with 151 rushing yards. Jackson threw his third touchdown to Mark Andrews with 29 seconds left, but a failed two-point conversion and a failed onside kick allowed the Lions to run out the clock.
The loss marked only the fourth primetime home defeat under Ravens coach John Harbaugh in 26 games. When Gibbs and Montgomery were not scoring, Goff effectively picked apart Baltimore’s weakened defense, completing 20 of 28 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown.
“We did exactly what we wanted to do, sustained long drives,” Goff said of Detroit’s offense.
A key moment came in the fourth quarter with the score tied 21-21. On fourth-and-one from the Baltimore four-yard line, St Brown took a jet sweep and pitched to Gibbs, who ran in for a touchdown. After a field goal made it 28-24, Derrick Henry’s fumble on a crucial drive gave Detroit the ball at the Baltimore 16. Montgomery later capped the scoring with a touchdown, securing a 14-point lead.
The game began with Gibbs rushing for a one-yard touchdown to give Detroit an early 7-0 lead. Henry answered with a 28-yard touchdown run to tie it. Montgomery then scored on a one-yard run, finishing a 98-yard drive that consumed 10:48 of the clock. The Ravens, down key pass rushers Madubuike and Kyle Van Noy, struggled to pressure Goff.
Baltimore had opportunities but failed to capitalize. On second-and-goal at the one-yard line, Henry was stopped twice, and Jackson fumbled on fourth-and-goal from the two, though the Lions could not immediately score. Jackson later threw a three-yard touchdown to Rashod Bateman to tie the game at 14-14 before regaining a 21-14 lead with a 14-yard touchdown to Andrews. Goff responded with an 18-yard touchdown pass to St Brown, keeping Detroit ahead.
The Lions’ victory highlights their balanced attack and opportunistic defense, sending a clear message in the early NFL season: Detroit’s offense and defense are among the league’s most formidable.
