Monday Football Afterword: Lions vs Ravens

The Ravens continued to focus on the passing game in Detroit, but
Ray Rice still gained 56 yards on just 12 carries in Baltimore's win.

Cory Puffett

Matthew Stafford has hit a bit of a rough stretch. He’s thrown 13 interceptions in the last seven games. Monday night was his fourth multi-interception game in that stretch. To put in perspective, he had just four interceptions and no multi-pick games in the Lions’ first seven games of the season.

But last night wasn’t just about Stafford playing poorly. Calvin Johnson’s stat line is respectable on first look – six catches for 98 yards. But just six catches on 14 targets isn’t so hot. He had two very unusual drops in the first half and another play on the sideline where he could have gotten his feet down but didn’t. Sure he’s hurt, but he’s been playing well through this injury all season.

Detroit’s defense struggled to stay disciplined, getting called for eight penalties for 89 yards, including a big one on 3^rd & long when they were called for unnecessary roughness on Ravens receiver Marlon Brown, allowing Baltimore to move into position for a 32-yard field goal by Justin Tucker.

Of course, even if the Lions hadn’t been penalized on that play, it may have just been a second 61-yarder for Tucker.

The Ravens kicker was the player of the game, no doubt. He converted all six of his field goal attempts including a 61-yard game winner with 38 seconds to play. The Lions had scored a touchdown on their previous drive but failed to convert their 2-point try, which would have made this a game-tying kick. Instead, Tucker drove the ball just inside the right upright.

On Detroit’s final drive, Stafford threw his third interception of the night, this one to Matt Elam who made headlines earlier in the week when he questioned Calvin Johnson’s physical ability.

The Lions have failed to take advantage of their NFC North rivals’ lack of consistency at the quarterback position and right now are behind both the Bears and the Packers. They’ve lost four of five and though their last two games are both against very weak opponents, nothing is guaranteed with this team.

The Ravens are still in the fight for the AFC North. It won’t be easy. They have to win out to do so. They host New England next week and then they play at Cincinnati, who is 6-0 at home, in Week 17. But their win on Monday also put them back in control of the AFC #6 seed over Miami.

Final Score:

Baltimore Ravens – 18

Detroit Lions – 16