Jared Goff Detroit Lions quarterback in game versus Baltimore Ravens Oct. 22, 2023. Photo by Jeff Nguyen- Detroit Lions

The Lions end week seven with a 5-2 record, losing to Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are 6-1 against the Lions and have extended their winning streak against the Lions to five in a row this past Sunday. Ravens starting quarterback and two time pro bowler Lamar Jackson was 15-1 against NFC teams going into the week 7 matchup against the Lions, one of the leading factors for the Ravens to be favored by 3.

“Lamar gave us problems; we struggled to apply pressure and when we did we let him slip away.” said Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell.

The Lions defense had the least amount of pressure as a team than they have had all season. The Lions secondary gave up three passing touchdowns and allowed for over 350 yards from the Ravens offense. Jackson’s ability to extend plays and be mobile with the football made it a long day for the Lions secondary.

Cambell said, “The combination of not applying enough pressure and having to stay in coverage for a long time wasn't handled well.”

The Ravens scored on three straight drives in the first quarter to make it 21-0, and scored one more before halftime to make it 28-0.

The Lions were without star running back David Montgomery due to a rib injury early in the week six game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Lions average 401.5 yards when Montgomery is in uniform versus 337 yards when he is unavailable for play. Campbell said “The offense failed to get in a rhythm early.”

Detroit finally scored early in the fourth quarter with a 21 yard touchdown run from rookie Jahmyr Gibbs.

No credit should be taken away from the Ravens outstanding defense. Baltimore has allowed a league-low seven touchdowns this season. Shutting down an offense as explosive as the Lions is a testament to the strength of the Ravens defense.

“We just played our style of defense,” Linebacker Roquan Smith said, “We just knew they haven't faced a defense this year like ours.”

The Detroit Lions came into Baltimore this past Sunday scoring at least 20 plus points in the past 15 games which is the longest streak in the NFL. Ultimately they were dominated by the ravens on both sides of the ball.

The Ravens eventually substituted in back up quarterback Tyler Huntley by the end of the fourth quarter.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff finished the competition with a total of 284 passing yards, no touchdowns and one interception. “We didn't do much to help ourselves out in those first few drives,” Goff said, “We struggled to get a first down.”

Lamar Jackson concluded his performance throwing for 357 yards and 3 touchdowns with a rushing touchdown as well.

The Ravens had eight passing plays of at least 20 yards against the Lions defense. The Los Angeles Chargers are the only team this season that has had more with nine 20 yard passing plays against Minnesota back in week 3.

Mohamed Ibrahim for the Detroit Lions was carted off the field in the third quarter with a hip injury. He was taken to the hospital for surgery. Malcom Rodriguez was also among the Lions players injured on Sunday with an apparent ankle injury. Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell went down with a hamstring injury.

The Detroit Lions hope to improve to 6-2 as they face the Las Vegas Raiders at Ford Field in Detroit.