Since Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell were hired back in January of 2021, the goal for the duo has always been crystal clear. To build the organization up the right way, so that every year their club has a chance to compete for a Super Bowl. The end goal seemed lofty at the time, especially for a franchise with a history like the Lions. But after consecutive seasons with 9, 12, and 15 wins, Detroit has now been there for multiple years. The roster is stocked with talent,
and the leadership, from principal owner Sheila Hamp and the rest of the brass, is in place for the long haul.
Now in year five, expectations are higher than ever for the Lions. And with these lofty expectations come bigger and brighter NFL stages, such as the Lions’ Week 3 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. Even before the John Harbaugh era, which has now spanned 18 seasons, Baltimore has been a powerhouse in the AFC, dating back to the days when Hall of Famers like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed wore the purple and black. Ozzie Newsome, widely regarded as the greatest general manager in NFL history and helped set the foundation for the franchise during his 17-year tenure. To keep things simple, the Ravens’ organization is an example for others in the league to emulate in terms of year-to-year consistency and success.
“We’re excited for this challenge,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said of the matchup with the Ravens. “We recognize this opponent, we respect what they’re about, and we’re looking forward to this, going out there at their place on Monday night. So this is going to be fun, man. This is one of those, this is why you do it.”
Lions finish with +2 turnover margin
Playing against a quarterback like the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson means several things for an opponent. For starters, you are going to have to play close to mistake-free football. Offensively, you have to value each and every possession, and defensively, you will likely need to force a few takeaways to come away victorious. Especially on the road, where Baltimore is even more dangerous.
I am predicting the Lions do just that. Ideally, we see Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff and the rest of the offense take care of the football, while the defense gives them at least two extra bites at the apple in the form of Baltimore turnovers. This will be a week in which the Lions’ defensive playmakers need to come up big in situations like third-downs and in the red zone. Through two games, Baltimore has only one turnover, which came in the form of a Derrick Henry fumble (though he’s put the ball on the ground twice). Historically speaking, Jackson isn’t a quarterback who frequently gives the ball to the opposing team. So while getting the ball back will likely be a point of emphasis for Detroit heading into this game, the defense will need to stay disciplined against what is an explosive Ravens’ offense.
Monster days for Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown
At this point in Jahmyr Gibbs’ young career, he is already well-established as one of the top backs in the game, and someone that opposing defensive coordinators will always have a plan for on gameday. After all, you don’t amass nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns like Gibbs did in 2024 by chance.
Despite the Baltimore defense still being a really talented unit, I am predicting a big day for the third-year running back. In front of a nationally-televised audience, Gibbs could put the league on notice with a strong performance to go along with a Lions’ victory. In a heavyweight fight, like the one we’ll watch on Monday night, I typically look for coaches to get the ball into the hands of their best playmakers.
And speaking of playmakers, I believe we will get another big-time performance out of All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. After his three-touchdown day in the Lions’ Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears, the one they call the Sun God should be ready to put on another show in primetime. The Lions have a plethora of weapons to choose from when they put the ball in the air, but make no mistake—it all starts with St. Brown.
From moving the chains and keeping the ball out of Jackson’s hands, to taking a routine carry or taking a catch the distance, if Detroit is going to pull one out on the road, Gibbs and St. Brown should be major factors in improving to 2-1.
Detroit’s defense bottles up King Henry
In order to limit the down-to-down damage from Jackson, you have to slow down Baltimore’s traditional running game, and that starts with neutralizing running back Derrick Henry. If you allow him to get rolling, then everything is on the table for Baltimore, meaning the opposing team’s defense is back on its heels. That’s a tough place to be when dealing with a two-time MVP like Jackson.
By slowing Henry down early, it will allow the Lions’ defense to hone in on Jackson. Furthermore, by keeping Baltimore out of neutral down-and-distances, their offense becomes less unpredictable, making things simpler for Lions’ defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.
In Week 2, the Cleveland Browns were able to hold Henry to just 23 yards on 11 carries. If the Lions can replicate that kind of performance, I will feel better about Detroit being able to get Baltimore into third-and-long situations. That all starts up front with interior defensive linemen like D.J. Reader, Roy Lopez, and Tyleik Williams. Those three, along with the rest of the front seven, will need to set the tone early, which should hopefully take some of the juice out of the crowd at M&T Bank Stadium.
