It's been a minute since the Ravens have played host to "Monday Night Football."
That will change when "Darkness Falls" in Week 3, as the Ravens (1-1) face the Detroit Lions (1-1) at M&T Bank Stadium.
It will be the Ravens' first Monday night home game since 2021, when Lamar Jackson threw for a franchise-record 442 yards and four touchdowns during a 31-25 overtime win against the Indianapolis Colts.
Baltimore will break out its all-black uniforms for the occasion, and the atmosphere will be electric.
Here's everything you need to know:
Basics
Kickoff: Monday, 8:15 p.m., M&T Bank Stadium
TV: Local TV: WMAR, Channel 2 (Baltimore); National TV: ESPN, announcers Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (analyst), Laura Rutledge and Lisa Salters (sideline)
Radio: WBAL (1090 AM), 98 Rock (97.9 FM), SiriusXM Radio Ch. 83 or 225. For affiliates in your area, click here:
History
The Ravens lead the series, 6-1, and are undefeated (4-0) against the Lions in Baltimore. They last met in 2023, when the Ravens dominated at M&T Bank Stadium, 38-6. Jackson was superb, completing 21 of 27 passes for 357 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Mark Andrews caught two touchdown passes, and Jackson also ran for a score. Jared Goff was sacked five times and threw an interception. Perhaps the most memorable Ravens-Lions game occurred in 2021, when the Ravens won 19-17 in Detroit on Justin Tucker's NFL-record 66-yard field goal as time expired.
Stakes
Both teams are coming off victories and are looking to maintain momentum. The Ravens want to avoid falling below .500 as they continue a challenging stretch. Baltimore's next four opponents (Lions, Chiefs, Texans, Rams) all made the playoffs last season. The Lions are expected to be Super Bowl contenders in the NFC but opened with a 14-point loss to the Green Bay Packers before exploding for 52 points against the Chicago Bears. After losing both coordinators to head coaching jobs during the offseason, the Lions will get a better idea of where they stand after this game.
Storylines to Know
Jackson vs. Goff is a matchup of two red-hot quarterbacks.
Jackson now has the highest career quarterback rating in NFL history, while Goff threw for five touchdown passes in Week 2. Both have thrown six touchdown passes this season, while Jackson has yet to throw an interception and Goff has thrown just one. Jackson is the league's highest-rated quarterback (136.6) while Goff is No. 3 (125.1) behind Justin Herbert of the Chargers (127.8). This game could come down to which quarterback has the better night, particularly in the fourth quarter.
Will the Lions load up to contain Derrick Henry the way Cleveland did?
In Week 2, the Browns crowded the box to contain Baltimore's rushing attack. They held Henry to 23 yards on 11 carries, his lowest output since joining the Ravens, but they still scored 41 points as Jackson feasted through the air. If the Lions commit to stopping the run, the Ravens' aerial attack may flourish big-time.
Primetime is Ravens time.
Baltimore's record in primetime games under Head Coach John Harbaugh is 43-19, the best in the NFL since his tenure began in 2008. The Ravens don't often lose two straight games in primetime, but they dropped a heartbreaker in Week 1 against the Bills on "Sunday Night Football." This is another test for the Ravens against a quality team, and we'll see if they flex in primetime.
X-Factor Players
WR DeAndre Hopkins
Two of Hopkins' four catches have gone for touchdowns, and he's made several amazing grabs. Hopkins has already proven he can still make game-changing plays, and Monday Night Football is his kind of party.
CB Chidobe Awuzie
Detroit has two explosive receivers that Baltimore must deal with in Amon-Ra St. Brown (three touchdowns last week) and Jameson Williams. Awuzie has been a valuable free agent pickup so far, and his coverage will need to be sticky playing outside for the Ravens to avoid giving up big plays.
ILB Roquan Smith
Smith will have plenty on his plate – filling run gaps against Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery and trying to anticipate pre-snap where Goff wants to go with the football. The Lions also like to attack the middle of the field. Coming off a stout 15-tackle performance, Smith is at the top of his game, and the emotional juice he brings to the Ravens' defense will be important on an electric night.
Here are the 1-on-1 matchups that will shape "Monday Night Football."
CB Marlon Humphrey vs. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
St. Brown torched the Bears last week with nine catches for 115 yards and three touchdowns. The former fourth-round pick plays almost as much in the slot as he does outside (50 to 59 snaps) and is a third-down favorite for quarterback Jared Goff. Humphrey will need to know where he is at all times.
OLB Mike Green vs. RT Penei Sewell
Sewell is one of the top tackles in the league and a pivotal cog in the Lions' offensive machine. With Kyle Van Noy (hamstring) expected to be out, Green could be in line to make his first career start. The Ravens will need to generate pressure on Goff, and there's no better challenge for Green than going up against a three-time Pro Bowler.
ILB Roquan Smith vs. RB Jahmyr Gibbs
Smith is coming off arguably the best game of his career and he faces a tall task this week trying to contain Gibbs and the Lions' rushing attack. A dual-threat tailback, Gibbs can turn any touch he gets into an explosive play. He already has 13 receptions this season (just one fewer than Zay Flowers), so Smith and rookie Teddye Buchanan will be critical in pass coverage. Containing Gibbs is the key to keeping Detroit's offense under control.
RT Roger Rosengarten vs. DE Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson is back to looking like himself after last season's major leg injury. He had his first sack of the season against Chicago last week and finished with seven total pressures. In what could wind up being a shootout between two high-powered offenses, limiting Hutchinson's impact is a key to victory.
S Malaki Starks vs. WR Jameson Williams
Williams is one of the top deep threats in the league. He showcased his speed last week with a 64-yard catch-and-run and a 44-yard touchdown. Starks has yet to face off against a receiver with Williams' top-line speed, so Monday will be a true test of how the rookie holds up deep in coverage.
