The evidence displays that the worst time to play against Lamar Jackson is on a Monday night.
The Ravens’ starting quarterback has dazzled on Monday nights throughout his career and he looks to continue his excellence when Baltimore hosts the Detroit Lions on that stage in Week 3.
Jackson has 22 passing touchdowns without being intercepted in nine Monday night appearances. He has twice thrown five touchdown passes and also had four touchdowns through the air when he set the franchise record of 442 passing yards against the Indianapolis Colts in a 31-25 overtime victory in 2021.
He also has accumulated 644 rushing yards and three scores.
“I’ll say that probably the extra rest day, extra film, get a good feel for who we’re playing against and go from there,” Jackson told reporters Thursday of the success.
The Ravens (1-1) lead the NFL in scoring average (40.5) and have reached the 40-point mark in both of their games.
They face another high-scoring team in the Lions (1-1). Detroit ranks third in scoring (32.5) and is coming off a 52-21 whipping of the Chicago Bears in Week 2.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff matched his career best of five passing touchdowns while hitting 23 of 28 throws for 334 yards. Goff has six touchdown passes and one interception this season.
Detroit wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown has caught 13 passes for 160 yards and is tied for the NFL lead with three touchdown receptions.
“I feel like we were a lot better than we were (in week 1) from everything,” St. Brown said. “From the explosive plays, to the communication, to the details, the execution, to taking care of the football. Just the whole top to bottom. …
“But, anytime you put up 50 in this league is tough against any opponent.”
The showing was needed after Detroit struggled in Week 1 while falling 27-13 to the host Green Bay Packers.
Naturally, Goff liked seeing his team quadruple its point total.
“Felt like we were completing a lot of balls and getting down the field with a lot of explosives and the whole thing,” Goff said. “It really starts upfront. Those guys pass protect like that, it’s going to be tough to stop us. This Monday night, we’d like to throw it like that again.”
Baltimore scored 40 points in its season-opening loss to Buffalo, a game in which the Bills scored 16 points in the final four minutes to pull off the 41-40 win. Last week, the Ravens pounded the Cleveland Browns 41-17.
Jackson has six passing touchdowns and one rushing score through two games. He hasn’t been intercepted.
Despite the easy victory against the Browns, Baltimore rushed for just 45 yards. Derrick Henry had just 23 yards on 11 carries after rumbling for 169 yards and two scores on 18 carries against the Bills.
“They had a bunch of guys at the line of scrimmage, and they were triggering the run right away,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “When you get a run key, you’re hitting gaps, running through gaps. I would say they were blitzing the run. It wasn’t a blitz call, but it’s a blitz reaction to the run.”
Baltimore could have tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) for the first time this season. Likely, who broke his left foot early in training camp and later underwent surgery, was a limited practice participant on Thursday.
Standout outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (hamstring) is expected to miss multiple games after being injured against the Browns. Star cornerback Marlon Humphrey (groin) was also injured against Cleveland but was a full practice participant.
In addition to Van Noy, fullback Patrick Ricard (calf), defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) and cornerback Nate Wiggins (groin) also missed practice.
For Detroit, standout tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) missed practice, as did linebacker Jack Campbell (ankle) and edge rusher Marcus Davenport (chest). Corner D.J. Reed (knee) and safety Kerby Joseph (knee) were limited.
Baltimore has beaten the Lions five straight times and six of seven overall.
