The Lions and Ravens entered the second half of their Monday night showdown deadlocked at 14–14. Two quarters to see who wanted it most.
Baltimore opened the half with the ball, benefitting from an offsides on Roy Lopez and then a Zay Flowers catch—his first of the night. A play-action strike to Charlie Kolar kept the chains moving, before Lamar Jackson connected with Mark Andrews over Brian Branch to set up shop inside the 10. The Ravens tried their patented Derrick Henry jump-pass, nearly picked by D.J. Reed. On the very next play, Al-Quadin Muhammad dropped Jackson for a huge sack, but the MVP found his magic again—threading a dime to Andrews for the go-ahead score. Ravens up 21–14.
The Lions answered immediately. Starting at their own 35, Goff hit Sam LaPorta on a crucial third down, then Jahmyr Gibbs ripped off back-to-back gains of seven and nine. From the Ravens’ 36, Detroit dialed up some trickery: Goff pitched to Montgomery, who tossed it back to Goff, who then launched downfield to Amon-Ra St. Brown for a first. Moments later, Goff hit St. Brown again—this time in the back of the end zone. Tie ballgame, 21–21.
Baltimore came out firing again with a big gain from Flowers, but Muhammad struck for his second sack of the night, stalling the drive and forcing a punt. The Lions, backed up at their own 5, leaned on Montgomery—who broke loose for a jaw-dropping 72-yard run to flip the field. An I-formation look with Montgomery and Gibbs led to a LaPorta catch and a timeout. After Gibbs powered it to fourth-and-inches as the third quarter expired, the Lions broke out more creativity: Goff handed to St. Brown, who flipped it back to Gibbs for his second touchdown of the night. Detroit led 28–21 with 14:55 to play.
The Ravens, aided by a shaky defensive penalty call, moved inside the Lions’ 40. But Detroit’s relentless pass rush forced Jackson off his spot. Trevor Nowaske notched his first career sack, the Lions’ fifth of the night. Baltimore settled for a questionable 40-yard Tyler Loop field goal that just snuck inside. Lions still led 28–24.
Detroit’s next drive featured Isaac TeSlaa’s first target, but the rookie couldn’t haul it in against tight coverage. A Mahomes-style sidearm attempt by Goff fell incomplete, forcing a punt. The Ravens tried to answer with Derrick Henry—but Aidan Hutchinson punched the ball out and the Lions recovered, sending Ford Field-level chants echoing through M&T Stadium. Jake Bates eventually drilled a 45-yarder to make it 31–24 with 6:30 left.
Baltimore’s offense had no answers. Hutchinson added his second sack of the season—Detroit’s seventh sack of the game. With just over two minutes left, Campbell faced a fourth-and-two near midfield. Everyone knew he was going for it. Goff rewarded his coach’s trust, hitting St. Brown for the dagger. Montgomery iced it with a bruising touchdown run, capping his monster night.
The Ravens managed one last gasp, but Detroit held strong. Final: Lions 38, Ravens 30.
For the first time since 1977, the Lions left Baltimore with a win. No one gave them a chance, but Dan Campbell and his squad don’t forget the beatdowns of the past. On this Monday night, Detroit delivered their payback.
The Lions improve to 2–1 and return home to face Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Browns.