Lions Overpower Ravens With Rushing Attack and Stifling Defense

Published: September-23-2025, 21:00, EDT

The Detroit Lions delivered a statement win on Monday night, defeating the Baltimore Ravens 38-30 with a punishing ground game and an aggressive defensive performance. Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for four touchdowns, while Detroit’s defense sacked Lamar Jackson seven times, showcasing the physical identity that has come to define head coach Dan Campbell’s tenure.

A Ground Game That Set the Tone

From the opening drive, Detroit imposed its will at the line of scrimmage. Gibbs scored on a short run to cap an early march, while Montgomery added a one-yard touchdown after an 18-play, 98-yard drive that chewed up nearly 11 minutes of clock. Montgomery later sealed the win with a 31-yard touchdown burst in the closing minutes, finishing with 151 rushing yards.

In total, the Lions outrushed the Ravens 224 yards to 85, consistently breaking through Baltimore’s depleted defensive front.

Detroit’s Defense Keeps Lamar Jackson in Check

The Lions’ defensive front applied constant pressure on Jackson, bringing him down seven times and preventing him from escaping the pocket. Despite throwing three touchdown passes, including two to tight end Mark Andrews, Jackson struggled to find rhythm in the second half.

Head coach Dan Campbell credited his defense’s discipline: “Those guys were very disciplined. They all bottled him up, they were disciplined, and guys made huge plays. And he had nowhere to go.”

Aidan Hutchinson, who led the defensive charge, highlighted the balance of coverage and pressure: “That’s what happens when good coverage marries good rush. Today was that.”

Fourth-Down Aggression Defines Detroit

True to Campbell’s style, Detroit was aggressive on fourth down, converting all three attempts. One pivotal play came late in the fourth quarter with a narrow lead, when Jared Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for 20 yards on fourth-and-2. The conversion kept the drive alive and set up Montgomery’s long touchdown run.

Earlier, the Lions used a creative gadget play on fourth-and-1 at the Baltimore 4-yard line. St. Brown took a handoff on what looked like a jet sweep before pitching to Gibbs, who scored easily. The play underscored Detroit’s confidence in taking calculated risks.

Ravens Struggle to Keep Pace

Although Baltimore’s offense showed flashes, including a 28-yard touchdown run from Derrick Henry and three scoring passes from Jackson, defensive lapses proved costly. The Ravens allowed two long touchdown drives of 98 and 96 yards, struggling to contain Detroit’s balanced attack.

Head coach John Harbaugh voiced frustration with his team’s defensive breakdowns: “The biggest problem is we didn’t play good defense. There’s nobody in that locker room that thinks that’s good enough. That’s not who we are. It’s not good enough, it’s not acceptable.”

A Rare Road Win for Detroit

The victory marked Detroit’s first-ever road win against Baltimore and snapped a five-game losing streak in the series. It also represented a stark contrast to their last meeting, when the Ravens routed the Lions 38-6 in 2023.

The Lions became the first team since 2021 to record two touchdown drives of at least 95 yards in the same game, a testament to both their execution and stamina.

Injuries and Notable Absences

Baltimore’s defense was hampered by the absence of defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike and pass rusher Kyle Van Noy, both sidelined by injuries. Detroit running back Sione Vaki also left the game with a groin injury.

Despite the setbacks, Detroit’s performance underscored their growing identity as a physical, disciplined team capable of competing at the highest level. After an early-season stumble, the Lions appear ready to position themselves as contenders in the NFC.