Baltimore Ravens Offense Thrives in 38-6 Win Over Detroit Lions
When the Baltimore Ravens hired offensive coordinator Todd Monken, they did so coming off a season where their passing game ranked near the bottom of the league, while the offense as a whole closed out the year with just five touchdowns in their final six games.
Eight months later, Sunday's 38-6 win over the Detroit Lions was a far cry from the recent past. While one game doesn't signify a season, it does count as one of 17 potential data points.
In the latest data point, the Ravens under Monken managed to score as many touchdowns (five) in one game as they did in the final six last season. Not only that, but it came against one of the best teams in the NFL.
Before Sunday's loss, the Lions were one of the hottest teams in the league, boasting wins over the Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Those wins had them in a five-way tie for the best record in the league.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (left) and offensive coordinator Todd Monken (right).
Clutchpoints
Then came the buzzsaw Ravens offense, which, despite getting off to a slow start in their first six games and even hitting bumps in the road with the losses to the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers, put together a complete performance inside Ford Field.
Led by former league MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Ravens scored four straight touchdowns to open the game. After years of being criticized for being a "running back playing quarterback," Jackson completed 21 of his 27 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns while adding another 36 yards and a score with his legs.
It was the type of performance that the Ravens hired Monken to coordinate and gave Jackson a market-setting contract to produce.
The Ravens will look to make sure the Lions win isn't a one-off when they travel to Glendale, Arizona, to take on the Cardinals. Kickoff inside State Farm Stadium is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET.
