Ravens vs. Lions score, takeaways: Lamar Jackson notches four TDs as Baltimore decimates Detroit

Baltimore made easy work of the visiting Lions

The Baltimore Ravens handed the Detroit Lions what is likely the beatdown of the week, as Lamar Jackson and Co. coasted to a 38-6 victory. This was a one-sided affair from beginning to end, as the Ravens jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead and never looked back.

The Ravens worked primarily through the air on Sunday, and it worked. Lamar Jackson completed 21 of 27 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns, and added 36 yards and another score on the ground. Mark Andrews had a nice National Tight End Day as he caught four passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns.

As for the Lions, their offense was nowhere to be found on Sunday. Jared Goff completed 33 of 53 passes for 284 yards and one interception, while rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs recorded 124 yards from scrimmage and his first career touchdown. Amon-Ra St. Brown was Detroit's leading receiver with 13 receptions for 102 yards. 

Here's a look at our biggest takeaways from the clash of division leaders:

Why the Ravens won

This was the breakout game for the Todd Monken offense. Baltimore came out passing the ball as opposed to running, and found great success doing so against this depleted Detroit secondary. The Ravens scored touchdowns on each of their first four possessions, and that was basically a wrap. 

The Baltimore defense deserves credit as well, as this unit kept Detroit off the scoreboard until garbage time in the fourth quarter. The Ravens have the most underrated defense in the league, and they put the NFL on notice with this dominant victory.

Why the Lions lost

The Lions entered with just one loss, but they were terrible on both sides of the ball this week. Detroit went three and out on its first three possessions, while the Ravens quickly jumped out to a 28-0 lead. The secondary surrendered a whopping 355 yards of total offense in just the first half. 

This is undoubtedly a throwaway game for the Lions, but this kind of performance will have everyone second-guessing where they stand as legitimate contenders. 

Turning point

When the Ravens scored their fourth straight touchdown to open the game while the Lions had recorded just 13 total yards, it felt like this contest was virtually over. After jumping out to a 14-0 lead, the Ravens went 92 yards on eight plays -- a possession that was capped by Andrews' first touchdown -- and then 80 yards on six plays for another score after Detroit went three-and-out yet again. 

Play of the game

Gus Edwards was the Ravens' leading receiver on Sunday -- and he caught just one pass!

What's next

The Lions return to Detroit next week, where they will host the Las Vegas Raiders on "Monday Night Football." As for the Ravens, they hit the road to take on the Arizona Cardinals. 

[Oct 22, 2023 at 3:28 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Lions are finally on the board. Eight plays, 77 yards, and a 21-yard touchdown run by the rookie Jahmyr Gibbs. The first of his career. 

35-6 Ravens

13:59 remaining in the game

[Oct 22, 2023 at 3:16 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

On a fourth-and-1, Goff goes toward the end zone and is intercepted by Geno Stone. We need a running clock in this one. 

[Oct 22, 2023 at 2:58 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

The Lions had a nice drive going for themselves coming out of the halftime break, but they turn it over on downs inside the Ravens' 10-yard line. Goff couldn't find Josh Reynolds in the end zone. 

11 plays, 69 yards, 0 points. 

28-0 Ravens, 8:10 remaining in the third quarter.

[Oct 22, 2023 at 2:49 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

The Lions made dubious history today … tied the largest halftime deficit in NFL history by a team with the best record in the league this late in a season (Week 7 or later)

[Oct 22, 2023 at 2:41 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

HALFTIME Ravens 28 Lions 0

First downs: DET 4 BAL 18
Total yards: DET 97 BAL 355
TOP: DET 10:16 BAL 19:44

Jared Goff 11/18 99 yards
Lamar Jackson 17/21 255 2 TDs

Jahmyr Gibbs 3 carries 9 yards
Gus Edwards 6 carries 38 yards 1 TD

Amon-Ra St. Brown 4 receptions 32 yards
Zay Flowers 4 receptions 75 yards

[Oct 22, 2023 at 2:18 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

The first drive where the Ravens didn't score a touchdown. A break for the Lions. 

[Oct 22, 2023 at 2:10 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Lions go for it on fourth-and-8 at the Ravens' 48-yard line. Bad decision. Goff is off. Can't hook up with St. Brown and here comes Baltimore's offense onto the field with 4:50 left before halftime. 

[Oct 22, 2023 at 2:07 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Lions finally have something going. Their first two first downs of the entire game. 

[Oct 22, 2023 at 2:04 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

6 plays, 80 yards, ANOTHER TD for the Ravens. I don't think the 28-0 score is even a fair indication of how lopsided this game has been.

[Oct 22, 2023 at 2:00 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

The last three plays for the Ravens went for 20-plus yards

[Oct 22, 2023 at 1:59 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

The Lions have gone three-and-out three straight times. While the Ravens have put together three straight TD drives. This is unreal. 

[Oct 22, 2023 at 1:49 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Another long drive for the Ravens. 92 yards, eight plays. Mark Andrews touchdown on National Tight End day.

The Ravens are absolutely dominating 

21-0. 12:54 remaining in the second quarter. 

[Oct 22, 2023 at 1:36 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Another three-and-out for the Lions. Two straight. Ravens have a chance to build on their lead here.

As for what's wrong with Detroit, well, the run game hasn't been there. Then Goff hasn't looked particularly accurate. 

[Oct 22, 2023 at 1:30 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

11 plays, 68 yards, another seven points for the Ravens!

14-0 BAL 3:11 remaining in the first quarter. 

[Oct 22, 2023 at 1:29 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

TOUCHDOWN. Lamar Jackson to Nelson Agholor on third-and-13. What a start for this team. 

[Oct 22, 2023 at 1:23 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Took the officials about an hour to come to a conclusion on what happened on that third down for the Ravens. The Lions were flagged for illegal contact in the secondary, but Lamar Jackson was also penalized for intentional grounding. A very weird sequence. Offsetting penalties, so the Ravens get another try and Lamar finds Rashod Bateman for 16 yards. 

[Oct 22, 2023 at 1:18 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Here's the Ravens TD. Great play call

[Oct 22, 2023 at 1:16 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Jared Goff is sacked on third-and-6. Fumbled the ball too. Three-and-out for Detroit on its first possession. The offense didn't look good while Baltimore's defense came out ON FIRE. 

[Oct 22, 2023 at 1:10 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Ravens go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Lions 7-yard line ... and it was a good decision! Lamar Jackson runs it in left side off of play action. EVERYONE on the Lions fell for that fake. Easy score.

7 plays, 75 yards 7 points. 

A fantastic start for Baltimore. 

[Oct 22, 2023 at 1:08 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Ravens are facing the No. 1 run defense in the league so Lamar Jackson comes out and throws the ball three straight times. Fascinating. 

Check out this incredible pick up by the rookie Zay Flowers 

[Oct 22, 2023 at 1:04 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Here we go. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens get the ball first. 

I bet Justin Tucker Over 1.5 field goals without understanding there were wind gusts up to 30 mph. Smart. 

[Oct 22, 2023 at 12:44 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

It's national tight end day, and this matchup features two of the best. Sam LaPorta (54.1) and Mark Andrews (58.8) rank top 3 among TE in Rec YPG this season

[Oct 22, 2023 at 12:34 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

If you're into gambling, the Lions are 5-1 ATS this season, while the Ravens are 4-2 ATS. Just like their SU records.

The Lions are underdogs today, which is notable since they are 6-0 ATS in their last six contests as an underdog! They are tied with the Texans in having the longest active cover streak (4). 

[Oct 22, 2023 at 12:22 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

I think one of the most surprising things about the Lions this year is that their defense has been this good despite numerous injuries. 

If you haven't read it yet, you definitely need to check out Douglas Clawson's piece on four ways the Lions defense has leveled up this season, including personnel moves, more zone and less blitz: 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/four-ways-the-lions-defense-has-leveled-up-this-season-including-personnel-moves-more-zone-and-less-blitz/

[Oct 22, 2023 at 12:15 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Detroit is seeking its first 6-1 or better start through 7 games since 1956. The Lions have the No. 4 scoring offense in the NFL, but they have their work cut out for them against this underrated Ravens defense. 

Last Time Lions Had NFL's Best Record This Late in Season - Week 11 in 1993

- Dan Campbell was in high school

- Barry Sanders was leading the NFL in rushing (977)

- The Ravens, Jaguars, Panthers and Texans did not exist

[Oct 22, 2023 at 12:11 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Welcome to Week 7 of the NFL season. Many believe Dolphins-Eagles later tonight is the game of the week, but it might actually be Ravens-Lions.

The Lions at 5-1 are tied in having the best record in the NFL, while the Ravens have established a lead for themselves in the loaded AFC North. Both have explosive playmakers, both have stout defenses, this matchup will tell us a lot about these teams.