MARYLAND : Ravens versus Lions
MARYLAND - In the NFL, traveling and winning are difficult tasks. With victories at Kansas City, Green Bay, and Tampa Bay to start the year, the Detroit Lions have made things seem simpler than it actually is.
However, the Lions were unable to defeat the Ravens in Baltimore on Sunday, losing 38-6 for just
the second meeting this year and the first time away from Ford Field.
Lamar Jackson, the quarterback for the Ravens,
made plays with both his arm and legs all afternoon, and Detroit's defense was
helpless to stop him. Jackson finished the game with 393 total yards and four
touchdowns (three passing, one rushing).
In order to take a 28-0 lead in the game, Baltimore scored on each of their first four drives. On
their fifth possession, Baltimore advanced into Lions territory before turning
the ball over on a Jackson fumble at the Detroit 25-yard line.
With three punts, a turnover on downs, and a forced punt on their fifth possession, Detroit's
offense was unable to match the Ravens' offensive production in the first half.
Compared to the Ravens' 355 total first-half yards, Detroit only amassed 97
total yards.
To start the second half, Detroit's offense made
some progress, moving down to the Ravens' 6-yard line, but faltered when they
failed to convert on 4th and goal.
Jackson's third
touchdown pass of the day and his second to tight end Mark Andrews increased
Baltimore's advantage to 35-0 and put an end to any dreams of a Detroit
comeback in just four plays over the next 94 yards.
Jahmyr Gibbs, a
rookie running back, scored his first touchdown of the game on a 21-yard rush
to give the Lions their first points of the game early in the fourth quarter.
With 68 rushing yards for a 6.2 yard average and a score, Gibbs ended the game.
To add to his 126 scrimmage yards, he also grabbed nine passes for 58 yards.
Baltimore entered
the game atop the NFL in terms of sacks, and Lions quarterback Jared Goff was
constantly under pressure. He ended the game 33 of 53 for 284 yards with no
touchdowns, one interception, five sacks, eight hits, and a passer rating of
68.4.
With 21 of his 27
throws completed for 357 yards, three touchdowns, and a rating of 155.8,
Jackson was almost flawless this afternoon. Jackson also ran nine times for 36
yards and a touchdown from nine yards.
Stunning touchdown
pass from Jackson that demonstrated how challenging he is to defend was the
game's first touchdown. Late in the first quarter, a 3rd and 3 play was
attempted at the Lions' 12-yard line. Jackson evaded the Lions rush and escaped
the pocket to the right, giving himself 10 seconds to deliver the ball before
finding wide receiver Nelson Agholor in the back of the end zone open with a
throw across his body. Baltimore gained a 14-0 lead as a result of the play,
and they never looked back.
The Lions entered
Sunday atop the NFL in rushing defense, allowing an average of 64.7 yards per
game against their opponents.
Baltimore managed
to carry for 146 yards, extending their streak of games with at least 100
rushing yards to 22. On Sunday, Baltimore's yardage per play was 9.1.
During the third quarter, following a 21-yard
kickoff return, rookie running back Mohamed Ibrahim was carried off the field
with a hip injury. He was promptly removed from the contest.
Malcolm Rodriguez, a linebacker, departed the
game with an ankle injury in the second half and did not come back.
In the fourth quarter, wide receiver Kalif
Raymond departed the game due to what appeared to be cramping after returning a
punt.