The Detroit Lions didn’t just beat the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night — they dismantled them. In a 38-30 victory at M&T Bank Stadium on September 22, 2025, Detroit’s defense turned Lamar Jackson into a running target, sacking him seven times and forcing critical turnovers that sealed one of the most shocking wins of the 2025 NFL season. The Lions, led by head coach Dan Campbell, outrushed Baltimore 224 yards to 85, with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combining for four rushing touchdowns. This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement — and a reckoning.
A Reversal of Fortunes
Just two years ago, on November 12, 2023, the Ravens crushed the Lions 38-6 in this very stadium. Detroit managed zero points in the first half. The game felt like a coronation for Baltimore’s high-octane offense. Fast forward to September 22, 2025, and the roles were reversed. The Lions came in as underdogs — not because of their record, but because of how devastatingly the Ravens had dominated their first two games, scoring over 40 points each time. But this time, Detroit came prepared. They didn’t just adjust; they dismantled.
The Ground Game That Broke Baltimore
The Lions’ offensive line — anchored by Penei Sewell and Frank Ragnow — turned the line of scrimmage into a demolition zone. Montgomery, a 27-year-old veteran with a reputation for toughness, ran for 151 yards on 27 carries. His 31-yard touchdown with 1:42 left wasn’t just a score — it was a statement. He broke three tackles on that play, including one from All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who had spent the night chasing ghosts.
Gibbs, the explosive rookie, added two more scores, including a trick-play touchdown on fourth-and-1 from the Ravens’ 4-yard line. What looked like a jet sweep to Amon-Ra St. Brown turned into a pitch-back to Gibbs, who walked into the end zone untouched. It was the kind of play that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep. The Lions averaged 5.9 yards per carry. The Ravens? 3.4. The difference wasn’t talent — it was execution.
The Sack Machine
Seven sacks. That’s how many times Lamar Jackson hit the turf. Seven. He’s one of the most elusive quarterbacks in NFL history — a dual-threat who’s averaged 5.3 sacks per game over his career. Monday night, he was held to 182 passing yards and forced into three hurried throws that resulted in incompletions. Defensive lineman Barnes got the final sack, wrapping Jackson’s legs on a critical fourth-down stop with 1:29 left. Jackson recovered the fumble, but the damage was done. The Ravens’ offense, usually a blur of motion and misdirection, looked like a broken clock.
It wasn’t just Barnes. The Lions rotated six defensive linemen, keeping fresh legs on the field. Linebackers Jeff Okudah and Isaiah Simmons blitzed with precision. Jackson never had time to read the field. He was under pressure on 68% of his dropbacks, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
The Turning Point: Henry’s Fumble
With the score tied 21-21 early in the fourth quarter, the Ravens had a chance to seize momentum. Derrick Henry, the league’s most punishing runner, carried the ball on third-and-4. He was hit hard by Deebo Samuel — yes, the former 49ers receiver now playing safety in a surprise role — and fumbled. The ball bounced into the arms of Lions linebacker James Houston. That turnover, the second critical fumble by Henry in three weeks, shifted everything. Detroit didn’t waste it. They drove 16 yards and kicked a field goal to go up 28-24. The Ravens never recovered.
What Happened to Baltimore’s Offense?
For two weeks, the Ravens looked unstoppable. They scored 42 against the Browns and 44 against the Bengals. But against Detroit, their rhythm vanished. Jackson threw three touchdowns — two to Mark Andrews — but they were all garbage-time scores. The Ravens’ offensive line, which had been one of the best in the league, gave up five pressures in the first half alone. Their running game, usually a hammer, was reduced to a whisper. They finished with just 85 rushing yards. The same unit that dominated the first two weeks looked out of sync, overmatched, and out of ideas.
Coach Campbell’s Five-Year Build
"I got a tremendous amount of trust in those guys," said Dan Campbell after the game. "And that’s been built up now in five years."
He’s right. This wasn’t a flash in the pan. Campbell has spent the last half-decade reshaping this team — from the locker room culture to the offensive philosophy. He traded for Montgomery last offseason. He drafted Gibbs with the 12th pick. He hired a defensive coordinator who believes in aggressive, chaotic pressure. And now, after years of losing close games, they’re winning them — decisively.
What’s Next?
The Lions (2-1) head to Green Bay next week with playoff aspirations suddenly looking real. The Ravens (2-2) face a crisis. Their offense is too reliant on Jackson. Their offensive line is showing cracks. And now, they’ve lost to a team they used to bully. If they can’t fix this, their AFC North title hopes are in jeopardy.
One thing’s clear: The Lions aren’t just good anymore. They’re dangerous. And the NFL took notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Lions’ defense manage to sack Lamar Jackson seven times?
Detroit’s defense used a mix of disguised blitzes and relentless interior pressure, rotating six linemen to keep fresh legs on the field. They focused on collapsing the pocket early, forcing Jackson into hurried throws. The Ravens’ offensive line, which had been dominant in Weeks 1 and 2, gave up 12 pressures in the first half alone, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Jackson, usually a master of escape, had nowhere to go.
Why was David Montgomery’s 31-yard touchdown so decisive?
With just 1:42 left and the score 31-24, Montgomery’s run wasn’t just a touchdown — it was a psychological blow. He broke three tackles, including one from All-Pro Marlon Humphrey, and turned what looked like a short gain into a 31-yard score. It turned a manageable deficit into a nearly insurmountable one, effectively ending Baltimore’s hope for a comeback. The Ravens needed two scores and a stop — now they needed three.
How does this win compare to Detroit’s previous performance against Baltimore?
On November 12, 2023, the Ravens beat the Lions 38-6 at M&T Bank Stadium, leading 28-0 before Detroit even got a first down. This time, the Lions led 21-21 at halftime and dominated the second half. The reversal isn’t just in score — it’s in identity. Detroit went from a team that couldn’t stop Jackson to the one that made him look mortal. It’s the most dramatic turnaround between two teams in recent NFL history.
What does this loss mean for the Ravens’ playoff chances?
Baltimore is now 2-2, and their offense looks vulnerable. They’ve lost two games in which they gave up 38+ points — a stark contrast to their 40+ point outings in Weeks 1 and 2. If they can’t fix their offensive line and reduce Jackson’s sacks, they’ll struggle against elite defenses like the Bills and Chiefs. Their path to the AFC North title just got much harder.
Was the trick play on fourth-and-1 a surprise to the Ravens?
It was a well-rehearsed play from the Lions’ playbook — they’d run it once before in practice last week. But the Ravens didn’t account for the pitch-back to Gibbs after the jet sweep fake. Their linebackers bit hard on St. Brown’s motion, leaving the middle wide open. It was a textbook example of exploiting over-aggressive defense. Jackson later admitted in a post-game interview: "We didn’t see that coming. We were too focused on the outside."
How did the Lions’ offensive line contribute to the win?
Penei Sewell and Frank Ragnow controlled the line of scrimmage for nearly the entire game, allowing Montgomery and Gibbs to find running lanes even when the play broke down. They didn’t allow a single sack on Jared Goff, and their zone-blocking scheme created cutback lanes that the Ravens’ linebackers couldn’t close in time. It was the most dominant offensive line performance of the season so far.
