Ravens @ Lions
Final Score: Ravens 19, Lions 17
Writer: Chris Sanzo (@Doombot12_FF on Twitter)
Justin Tucker. Wow. Hits a record-breaking 66-yard field goal to win the game for the Ravens and then runs off the field and delivers a perfect aria in the postgame conference. That last part may be a lie, but the field goal was not. With just 1:04 left in the game, Detroit took the lead and it seemed the game was all but settled. After an emotional victory against the Chiefs last week, the Ravens were going to drop a game to the winless Lions. At least Detroit was going to get to celebrate a little for once. Sure… that was until Lamar hit a 36-yard pass to Sammy Watkins to set up in, field goal range, kinda. Setting up is usually a bit closer than a 66-yard attempt, but then again, most teams don’t have a weapon like Baltimore. The rest is now in the history books and a congratulations is owed to Justin Tucker, new record holder for the longest field goal ever, as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson: 16/31, 287 yards, TD, INT, 4 sacks | 7 carries, 58 yards
If we could add in another stat, it would be drops. Marquise Brown alone dropped three possible touchdowns that really kept them from pulling away earlier in the game. Jackson played well despite the Lions containing him to just a couple of impactful runs. 3rd downs were an issue, especially where he chose to pull it down, but he was the only productive option they had. The most impressive play came with under a minute left. Jackson hit Sammy Watkins for 36 yards with pillowy soft placement in the zone. The unheralded play will be the 3rd down escape from the pocket despite 6’4″, 245-pound Julian Okwara having both arms on him in what would have been the game-ending sack. I don’t know how he got away and then also got out of bounds while getting away from another tackle, but he did. With more weapons incoming, his ceiling is non-existent.
Lamar hits the jets 🔥
Tune in on CBS! pic.twitter.com/nwB29uv65l
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 26, 2021
Running Backs
Ty’Son Williams: 5 carries, 22 yards | 1 target, 0 receptions
Latavius Murray: 7 carries, 28 yards
Devonta Freeman: 3 carries, 8 yards
Yikes. This group was just… there. The Lions can be a surprisingly stout run defense at times, and this was one of those times. Every big running down was met with defenders in the backfield and none of the trio were able to ever get moving. Even Jackson had a tough time in this game finding room, so it’s alarming they wouldn’t use Williams more to open things up. Devonta Freeman, a man that many people don’t even realize is on a team, had more carries in the first half than Ty’Son. He is not trusted by the coaching staff and without that, it looks like 10 carries is more of a ceiling than a floor. If you can’t reliably play an RB from this team against the Lions, it seems likely there won’t be any fantasy starts without injury.
In lieu of offering any highlights of this group, enjoy Justin Tucker‘s historic kick to win the game for the Ravens.
JUSTIN TUCKERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR pic.twitter.com/vCsHRtfULo
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 26, 2021
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Marquise Brown: 7 targets, 3 receptions, 53 yards
Mark Andrews: 7 targets, 5 receptions, 109 yards
Sammy Watkins: 7 targets, 4 receptions, 68 yards
Devin Duvernay: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 22 yards, TD
James Proche II: 1 target, 1 reception, 29 yards
Josh Oliver: 1 target, 1 reception, 6 yards
This group would largely like to forget this day ever happened. Outside of Brown’s drops, Mark Andrews couldn’t adjust for a wide-open touchdown opportunity that was over the wrong shoulder. Lamar was pressured and when he moved up in the pocket, he over-adjusted. Sammy Watkins‘ 4th and 19 catch between the levels in the zone was clutch, but even he was limited to just four catches on his seven targets. Duvernay was able to create separation and get in the end zone and he also got a late look in the hurry up. With Watkins there and Rashod Bateman coming back into the offense, it’s hard to see him getting an expanded role in the offense. The clearest part of all of this is to pick up Bateman wherever you can.
TOUCHDOWN, @Dev_Duv5 ❗️❗️
Tune in on CBS! pic.twitter.com/IOl5ZUtTTz
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 26, 2021
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff: 22/30, 217 yards, 2 Sacks | 1 carry, 4 yards | 1 target, 0 receptions
Jared Goff had some head-scratching throws, but it’s not like he’s working with much. He suffered through some drops but he also had a couple of really bad throws. He is continuing to play well enough to keep the Lions in games, and in this case, came as close to a win as they could without leaving with the W. The playbook isn’t too expansive, but he’s proven he can be trusted with a heavier workload. It continues to seem like they’re on the verge of something better but just not quite getting there. If and when Tyrell Williams returns, it could add that next layer to Goff’s game.
A catch so nice they watched it twice
19 yards @JaredGoff16 🎯 Raymond#BALvsDET | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/Y9auU7qmpj
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 26, 2021
Running Backs
D’Andre Swift: 14 carries, 47 yards, TD | 7 targets, 7 receptions, 60 yards | 0/1, 0 yards
Jamaal Williams: 12 carries, 42 yards, TD | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 25 yards
As good as the one-two punch of Swift and Williams has been, Swift needs to start getting a higher share of the carries. His elusiveness is on another level and his big-play potential is needed more than Williams’ consistency. He can also provide hard-nosed plays as well. During their first drive of the second quarter, the Lions started on their own eight yard line. Taking the handoff behind the goal line, he was able to make two defenders miss on his way to a six-yard gain. The play prior, he had hit an eight-yard run where he was touched by 5 different defenders at various levels, but there was a holding call that backed them up to the four. Swift continues to look smooth in the passing game. Nothing looks hurried or even difficult, he just has the natural ability to grab and turn upfield. He had one miscue early where he ran a route short of the first down marker on third down and although he caught the pass, he was taken down immediately. Nothing will most likely change moving forward as the pair has been one of the bright spots for this team.
🙌 @DAndreSwift #BALvsDET | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/4VXhVzEg6K
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 26, 2021
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
T.J. Hockenson: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 10 yards
Kalif Raymond: 10 targets, 6 receptions, 68 yards
Trinity Benson: 1 target, 0 receptions
Quintez Cephus: 1 target, 1 reception, 8 yards
Darren Fells: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 35 yards
KhaDarel Hodge: 1 target, 1 reception, 9 yards
Amon-Ra St. Brown: 1 target, 1 reception, 2 yards
Kalif Raymond was the best receiver on either team. That is such a bizarre statement, but it’s true. He was nothing special; he gave up a couple passes but helped Goff with a couple nice catches. This includes a catch that required spinning his body as he caught the pass because the ball was thrown a yard behind him. He wasn’t always the first look, but he made himself available. There doesn’t seem to be a distinct hierarchy among the receivers, just whichever receiver happens to be the favorite that day. They’ll all see secondary targets behind Swift and Hockenson, but Tyrell Williams does seem to be a stash. T.J. Hockenson was mostly invisible. If it’s of any condolence, he was fantastic in the blocking games on some big plays. He drew occasional double coverage, but it was more about Goff not looking his way and trying to press the play too much.
2⃣2⃣ yards from @JaredGoff16 ➡️ Raymond as we hit the two-minute warning @FordField.#BALvsDET | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/RgcAjZhbYc
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 26, 2021
— Chris Sanzo (@Doombot12_FF on Twitter)