The Detroit Lions turned the Baltimore Ravens into a punching bag on Sunday, pulling off a 38‑30 victory that felt more like a demolition derby than a regular season game. Fans who’d been begging for a hard‑nosed, trench‑warrior display finally got their wish, and the Lions didn’t hold back.
Defensive dominance in the trenches
From the opening snap, Detroit’s front seven set a relentless pace. Lamar Jackson was chased off the pocket seven times, a sack total that would make any defensive coordinator grin. The pressure came from every angle—edge rushers, interior linemen, even a surprise blitz from a linebacker that caught the Ravens off‑guard.
Aidan Hutchinson, back after knee surgery, showed he’s still got a motor. In just his second game, he recorded a sack and helped anchor a line that never gave Jackson a clean look. Alongside veteran D‑J Sullivan and rookie Eli Mason, the Lions turned the Ravens’ offensive line into a revolving door.
- 7 total sacks on Lamar Jackson
- 3 forced fumbles, 2 recovered by Detroit
- 10 tackles for loss, 4 of them by defensive ends
The defensive unit also kept the secondary clean. Only one interception was tossed, and it came after the pass rush forced Jackson into a rushed throw. The takeaway? Detroit’s aggression paid off in every stat that matters for a win.
Ground attack that controlled the clock
While the defense was doing the heavy lifting, the Lions’ rushing game was the perfect complement. Rushing for 224 yards on 38 carries, Detroit turned the game into a grind-it‑out battle that left the Ravens gasping for breath. Four rushing touchdowns—two from veteran running back D’Andre Johnson and the other two from a breakout performance by rookie Malik Brennan—kept the lead safe.
Jared Goff didn’t put the spotlight on his arm, but his efficient play was the glue holding everything together. Completing 20 of 28 attempts for 202 yards, he avoided any turnovers and let the ground game dictate the tempo. In the red zone, Goff’s play‑action passes paid off, converting crucial third‑downs and keeping Baltimore’s defense honest.
Stat sheet highlights of the Lions’ offense:
- 224 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs
- 202 passing yards, 1 passing TD
- 0 turnovers, 1 fumble recovered by Detroit
Even though the final score reads 38‑30, the game felt lopsided in Detroit’s favor for most of the night. The Ravens managed to keep it close with Jackson’s mobility and a late‑game touchdown drive, but they never found an answer to the Lions’ relentless physicality.
With the win, Detroit improves to 2‑1, matching the top spots in the NFC North. The performance sends a clear message: this Lions squad is ready to battle in the trenches, push the pace on the ground, and turn physical play into victories.