The Lions entered Sunday afternoon 5-1, but we discussed whether or not Dan Campbell’s young team was ready for a massive showdown with early playoff implications.
Detroit headed to Baltimore, the talk of the NFL, but through one half of football, the Lions have been dominated on both sides of the football and trail 28-0.
Baltimore has outgained their opponent 355-97, while the Ravens hold an 18-4 advantage in first downs after controlling the ball for nine more minutes.
With the second half set to start, here are key takeaways and highlights from the first half.
Big Play Zay
The rookie got on the board early, taking a simple dig-route, 46 yards for his first explosive play of the game.
BIG PLAY @ZayFlowers!!! 46-YARD GAIN!!!
Tune in now on FOX. pic.twitter.com/MDmuYji2r0
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 22, 2023
Odell
Jackson’s first completion went to Odell Beckham on a creative wide receiver screen from OC Todd Monken.
Beckham had 3 catches for 35 yards in the first half.
Lamar Jackson pretty QB Keeper
After some good runs and early completions, Jackson scored the Ravens first touchdown of the day on an excellently crafted, QB sneak around the left end.
On 4th and 1, @Lj_era8 waltzes into the endzone. TD @Ravens!
📺: #DETvsBAL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/iTs8HMaXlh pic.twitter.com/HNhneNEcoj— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2023
Jackson led the Ravens on a 7 play, 75 yard drive, that ate up 4:23 of clock. The quarterback was
Justin Madubuike continues to roll
Madubuike was credited with a sack early-on, his third in the past two games.
Lamar Jackson dazzles
Lamar Jackson scrambled 25.3 yards and bought himself 9.24 seconds of time on this TD, per NextGenStats.
LAMAR AND NELLY MAKE IT HAPPEN❗️❗️❗️
Tune in on FOX! pic.twitter.com/kO1C0eL4K2
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 22, 2023
Jackson now has a rushing and passing touchdown in the first quarter of a game for the first time in his career.
LeBron James noticed Lamar
Lamar Jackson was lights out in the first half, drawing the attention of Lakers star, LeBron James.
Man Lamar is so damn good!!! Wow!! Pocket presence 🐦⬛
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 22, 2023
Gus Edwards
Edwards has six carries, for 38 yards and 1 touchdown in the first half.
Ravens total dominance
Detroit waited until 7:33 into the second quarter to get their first first down.
The Ravens are the first team to score a touchdown on each of their first four drives of a game this season. pic.twitter.com/qN1m1T3Wfx
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 22, 2023
Baltimore scored on their first four offensive drives, and totally dominated the yardage and time of possession.
The @Ravens have scored 4 times in the 1st half 😳
📺: #DETvsBAL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/iTs8HMaXlh pic.twitter.com/hcdl8friB4— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2023
Midway through the first half, the Ravens were outgaining the Lions 325-13 in yardage.
Jared Goff
The Lions quarterback is 11-18 passing, for 99 yards, and he’s been sacked twice.
Patrick Ricard got involved
We love a fullback first down 😂@PRic508 | Tune in on FOX pic.twitter.com/3E90GVaGTy
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 22, 2023
Mark Andrews is elite
PLAYMAKER.
You knew @Mandrews_81 would find the end zone on #NationalTightEndsDay!! pic.twitter.com/lT1tZstu6N
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 22, 2023
Andrew is off to a monster start, logging 3 catches, for 55 yards and 1 touchdown.
Tight End magic is in the air today, folks 🪄 @Mandrews_81 takes it to the 🏠!
📺: #DETvsBAL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/iTs8HMaXlh pic.twitter.com/FZLCFzXBbW— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2023
Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson had a quiet first half, recording just one fumble recovery and no stops.
.@aidanhutch97 recovers the fumble for the @Lions!
📺: #DETvsBAL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/iTs8HMaXlh pic.twitter.com/skjKeChUp6— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2023
Ravens turnover
After a near perfect first half, Baltiomore had their first negative play when Lamar Jackson and Justice Hill botched an exchange and the Lions recovered on their own 25.
Jackson and Hill had words afterwards.
.@aidanhutch97 recovers the fumble for the @Lions!
📺: #DETvsBAL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/iTs8HMaXlh pic.twitter.com/skjKeChUp6— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2023