The Lions once again face a challenging road test in Baltimore against the AFC North leading Ravens.
Last time out: Detroit leaned on quarterback Jared Goff to get them past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Goff threw for 353 yards and two touchdowns and had a 107.5 passer rating in the 20-6 win. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown seemed to be open every time Goff looked his way, catching 12 of his 15 targets for 124 yards and a touchdown.
It's rinse and repeat for the Lions' defense and stopping the run. The Bucs only managed 46 yards on the ground. Third down also played a large role in Detroit's success as Tampa only converted twice on 12 opportunities. Linebacker Alex Anzalone was a standout with nine tackles, one tackle for loss and two passes defended.
The Ravens were in London for their Week 6 contest against the Titans. In a 24-16 victory, kicker Justin Tucker proved once again why he's one of the league's best. Tucker's six field goals made him Baltimore's top offensive player.
Baltimore's defense spent most of their time in Tennessee's backfield. They produced six sacks, 10 quarterback hits and seven tackles for loss. Like Detroit, the Ravens were dominant on third down allowing just one successful conversion on nine attempts.
Comparison: The Ravens and Lions have played similar schedules. Ravens opponents are a combined 17-17 and Lions opponents are 16-17.
Matchups: Similar to last week, the Lions will be up against a tough passing defense. The Ravens are only giving up 163.2 yards per game through the air—ranking second in the league. Baltimore is also tied for first with 24 sacks so far this season. Detroit will be equipped to handle the challenge with an offensive line that's only given up 10 sacks and is top five in yards per game passing. With running back David Montgomery out for the Lions they may be forced to lean more heavily on the passing game making this a matchup to keep an eye on.
In their last meeting: The Ravens had a 19-17 walk-off victory on Tucker's NFL record 66-yard field goal. Ravens tight end Mark Andrews was a difference maker in the matchup, going for 109 yards on five catches.
The overall series: The Ravens have taken five of the six contests between the two teams. The Lions last won in 2005 when Baltimore committed 21 penalties in the game — one short of the NFL record at the time. Current Lions cornerbacks coach Dré Bly had two interceptions and recovered a fumble for Detroit.
Matchup odds: Baltimore is favored with a 53.9% chance to win by ESPN Analytics.
Here are 5 Ravens storylines to follow heading into Sunday's matchup:
1. Jadeveon Clowney is showing he has 'a lot of game left'
Former first-overall pick Jadeveon Clowney has been with five teams in six years but has seemed to find the perfect fit with the Ravens … READ MORE
2. Late for Work: Lamar Jackson 'heading for career year' in Todd Monken's offense
Quarterback Lamar Jackson is seeing more opportunities to utilize his arm in a new system this season under offensive coordinator Todd Monken ... READ MORE
3. Final Drive: Ravens pass rush is tops in the NFL
A dynamic pass rush has the Baltimore defense causing a lot of problems for the opposing team's quarterback … WATCH
4. Todd Monken talks about red zone, second half struggles
Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is looking to reignite the offensive in a couple areas after seeing a drop in production the last couple weeks in both the red zone and second half scoring … READ MORE
5. Ravens pass rush is being unleashed, and everyone is in on the fun
Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald helped Lions DL Aidan Hutchinson kick start his career at Michigan and is doing much of the same with the Ravens pass rush … READ MORE
View photos of the starters for the Baltimore Ravens.
Head Coach John Harbaugh
Offensive Coordinator: Todd Monken
Defensive Coordinator: Mike Macdonald
Special Teams Coordinator: Chris Horton
(AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Backed up by Rashod Bateman
(AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
WR Zay Flowers
Backed up by Nelson Agholor and Devin Duvernay
(AP Photo/Ian Walton)
LT Ronnie Stanley
Backed up by Patrick Mekari and Daniel Faalele
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
G John Simpson
Backed up by Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
C Tyler Linderbaum
Backed up by Sam Mustipher and Patrick Mekari
(AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
G Kevin Zeitler
Backed up by Ben Cleveland
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
T Morgan Moses
Backed up by Patrick Mekari and Daniel Faalele
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
TE Mark Andrews
Backed up by Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar
(AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
QB Lamar Jackson
Backed up by Tyler Huntley and Josh Johnson
(AP/Gary McCullough)
FB Patrick Ricard
(AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
RB Gus Edwards
Backed up by Justice Hill
(AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
DT Justin Madubuike
Backed up by Travis Jones
(AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
NT Michael Pierce
Backed up by Travis Jones
(AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
DE Broderick Washington
Backed up by Brent Urban
(AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
OLB Odafe Oweh
Backed up by Travius Robinson and Jeremiah Moon
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
MLB Roquan Smith
Backed up by Malik Harrison
(AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
WLB Patrick Queen
Backed up by Del'Shawn Phillips and Trenton Simpson
(AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
SAM Jadeveon Clowney
Backed up by Kyle Van Noy
(AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
CB Ronald Darby
Backed up by Rock Ya-Sin and Jalyn Armour-Davis
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
SS Kyle Hamilton
Backed up by Geno Stone
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
FS Marcus Williams
Backed up by Brandon Stephens
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
CB Marlon Humphrey
Backed up by Brandon Stephens, Arthur Maulet, and Kevon Seymour
(AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
P/H Jordan Stout
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
K Justin Tucker
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
LS Tyler Ott
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
KR/PR Devin Duvernay
Backed up by Justice Hill and Zay Flowers
(AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
