Pride of Detroit
Facing a team coming off two 40-plus point performances in a row, the Detroit Lions were in for a tough one against the Baltimore Ravens. It would be a difficult task to contain Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and the rest of the Ravens’ offense, perhaps the most difficult game for the Lions in a year full of formidable foes.
Down they go.
The Lions defeated the Ravens in stunning fashion on “Monday Night Football,” bringing the team to a 2-1 record with the Cleveland Browns on deck. The highlights of the game were the run offense, totaling 0ver 200 yards on the ground, and the defense, harassing Jackson to the tune of seven sacks. In a proverbial heavyweight tilt, the Lions took their blows and delivered a clean knockout.
Ice it up boys, you deserve it.
The loss of Marcus Davenport loomed large for a depleted Lions defensive line, but it appears as though they have one in-house solution.
In a pivotal primetime game against an elusive Jackson, Muhammad showed up. The journeyman edge racked up two-and-a-half sacks on the night, mixing in elusiveness with strength and motor to wrap up the scrambling quarterback. He also tallied a third-down stop late in the fourth quarter that was effectively a drive killer. Muhammad has played a fraction of defensive snaps, but he has already amassed 3.5 sacks on the year. Detroit is limiting him to almost exclusively pass-rushing snaps, so the question is not whether he should get an expanded pass rushing role, but whether he can stand out enough as a run defender.
The Lions needed a partner in crime for Aidan Hutchinson, and Muhammad has staked his claim to that title.
John Morton got his flowers last week, it is only fair that Sheppard gets them this week.
Against arguably the toughest opponent that Detroit could face this season, the defense was humming. The Lions sacked Jackson a whopping seven times, a staggering number given how elusive the former MVP can be. It is rare to make Jackson look rattled, but Sheppard’s front seven did the trick. The pocket was collapsing on nearly every down, forcing Jackson to scramble. Sometimes, that resulted in a large run. Yet, more often than not, it resulted in a negative play.
The aforementioned Muhammad had a multitude of pressures. Hutchinson added a sack and a beautiful forced fumble on a Peanut punch. The linebacking trio of Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, and Alex Anzalone were quick and decisive when attacking the quarterback, recording a sack each. Even Trevor Nowaske, playing his first game of the season, managed to sack Jackson in the open field one-on-one. The pressure was relentless.
The onslaught from the defensive line and linebackers helped offset some of the coverage struggles. The Lions still have some work to do, but it was a net positive for the unit—it’s rare that a defense looks this impressive while allowing 30 points.
