Ravens fall to Lions, setting infamous scoring mark for a 1-2 start
Baltimore drops to 1-2 as Detroit pulls away in the second half; Lamar Jackson sacked seven times and a stingy Lions defense provides the latest test for a high-scoring, underperforming Baltimore unit.
The Baltimore Ravens are 1-2 after a 38-30 loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday night in Baltimore, a defeat that left them with an NFL history-making stat: they have scored 111 points through three games, the most by a team with a losing record in NFL history at this stage, according to ESPN research.
Lamar Jackson was sacked seven times as Baltimore yielded 426 yards to Detroit, including 224 on the ground. Lions running back David Montgomery accounted for 151 rushing yards and Jahmyr Gibbs added 67, helping Detroit pull away in the second half after a competitive first two quarters. The Ravens’ offense produced points but could not sustain enough momentum to keep pace for four quarters, and Baltimore’s defense struggled to slow the Lions when it mattered most.
Head coach John Harbaugh said the result was driven by the defense’s lapses, not the offense, and emphasized that the unit must do better if the team is to rebound against a high-profile opponent next week. “The biggest problem is we didn’t play good defense,” Harbaugh said. “There’s nobody in that locker room that thinks that’s good enough. That’s not who we are. It cannot be who we are. It’s not acceptable.” He also acknowledged the run game must improve, especially with a Week 4 date against the Kansas City Chiefs on the horizon.
The Ravens entered the game with a fragile balance between offense and defense after an opening-week shootout loss to the Buffalo Bills, 41-40, followed by the Monday-night setback to Detroit. Baltimore’s lone win came in a 41-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns, who themselves earned their first win of the season by defeating the Green Bay Packers. The back-and-forth starts to the season have underscored a blueprint that has produced plenty of points but little security in the win column.
On a night when Baltimore’s offense has shown flashes of explosive potential, the defense’s performance overshadowed the positive strides. Jackson’s 7.0 sacks allowed over three games have drawn scrutiny, and capitalizing on red-zone opportunities remains a focal point as the Ravens prepare to host Kansas City in Week 4. The club will need to translate its scoring ability into more consistent, four-quarter performances if it hopes to climb back into contention in a stacked AFC.
The Lions game adds to a historically notable stat: ESPN research shows that 111 points through three games is the most by a team with a losing record in NFL history at this point in a season. As Baltimore eyes a turnaround, the defense must improve to support an offense that has shown scoring potential but has not stabilized the results. The next challenge is a trip to Kansas City to face the Chiefs in Week 4.
