The Ravens fell to 1–2 after another rough outing, this time at the hands of Dan Campbell’s Lions, 30-38. Suddenly, a team that looked like Lombardi contenders is feeling the heat heading into Week 4. Plenty went wrong for John Harbaugh, and just as much went right for Campbell. Here are five takeaways from the clash.

The Ravens’ offense couldn’t protect Lamar Jackson

You just don’t see a mobile QB like Lamar Jackson get flattened seven times unless there’s a perfect storm of elite pass-rush schemes and some serious O-line breakdowns. Jackson finished 21-of-27 for 288 yards and three touchdowns — impressive on paper — but those seven sacks cost the Ravens 55 yards.

The OL just couldn’t protect their QB. Detroit’s front seven made Lamar’s life a living nightmare — Al-Quadin Muhammad led the charge with 2.5 sacks, while Aidan Hutchinson, Jack Campbell, and others kept dropping haymakers. Life is not supposed to be that hard for a QB who’s racking up three touchdowns in one game.

The Ravens offense has allowed him to get sacked 12 times in just three games. He can put up MVP numbers, but the Ravens can’t go all the way if they can’t protect Jackson.

The Lions’ rushing game dominated

Detroit dominated on the ground. The Lions piled up 224 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns, turning clock control into scoreboard domination. David Montgomery ripped off 151 yards and two scores, while Jahmyr Gibbs chipped in 67 yards and another pair of touchdowns. It was a headache for John Harbaugh all game long.

Two drives stood out: a 98-yard touchdown march and a 96-yard grind. They left the Ravens’ defense gasping and flipped the field in Detroit’s favor. When the Lions could chew clock with power runs and still hit splash plays, Baltimore was left making uncomfortable decisions on every snap.

Baltimore’s defense was all over the place

Tonight wasn’t about a one-off blown coverage. Baltimore surrendered those 98- and 96-yard touchdown marches and looked shaky all over, with sloppy tackling and gap discipline against a determined, punishing run game. The Ravens’ defense simply couldn’t keep up.

Context matters too. The Ravens were already shorthanded up front. Nnamdi Madubuike was out before kickoff, which stretched their depth and rotation thin. When Detroit found running lanes and the pass rush started hitting late, Baltimore’s usual red-zone lockdown and third-down magic just… vanished.

Mark Andrews came up clutch

As bad as tonight was for the Ravens, there was a bright spot. Mark Andrews did his best to keep the Ravens’ ship from sinking, hauling in 6 catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns. That late 27-yard score at least made the final score look respectable. You could argue that he and Lamar were the only positives from tonight.

Even a near-telepathic connection between QB and WR can only get you so far if your O-line is leaking and your defense can’t hold. Sure, the Lions gave Andrews and Jackson a few freebies for touchdowns, but against a tougher, disciplined defense? That magic won’t cut it.

Derrick Henry fumbles—again

Derrick Henry did reach the end zone once, but he also gave one right back — a fumble the Lions scooped up at Baltimore’s 16-yard line and promptly turned into points. Bad timing, bad vibes, and exactly the kind of momentum killer you don’t need.

And this wasn’t his first rodeo. Henry has already had three fumbles this season. We’ve reached a point where we can start to wonder if something else is going on behind the scenes.

After the game, John Harbaugh said that “It’s not going to be the norm,” but it sure looks like it’s becoming one. He needs to find a fix for Henry.