We’ve talked a lot about the Detroit Lions’ offense this season, and for good reason — Ben Johnson’s offense currently ranks fourth in DVOA behind only the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills. Not only is quarterback Jared Goff playing at the highest level we’ve seen in his NFL career, but the run game the Lions put out there is as effective and multiple as any you’ll see.
As many observers are correctly stating that Dan Campbell’s squad is among the league’s best overall, we’re pretty sure we’re up to date on the effectiveness of that offense.
If you are unaware, ESPN analyst and former Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky has you covered.
I thought Stafford left Detroit
Goff is as good as anyone right now “just playing the play” and what the defense asks you to do with the ball, he’s doing@Lions ARE LEGIT pic.twitter.com/20kUrRnfPz
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) October 18, 2023
However, if you’re outside of the greater Baltimore area, it’s entirely possible that you’re sleeping on a Baltimore Ravens defense that currently ranks second in DVOA, behind only the Cleveland Browns. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is dialing it up something fierce in his second season, and that’s one reason the Ravens have risen from 28th to eighth to their current elevated status since 2021.
That makes Sunday’s game between the Lions and the Ravens Must-See TV from a schematic perspective.
I don't think I've ever witnessed such an even matchup by DVOA unit ranks:
Lions Pass o (4th in DVOA) vs. Ravens Pass d (3rd)
Lions Run o (7th) vs. Ravens Run d (7th)
Ravens pass o (14th) vs. Lions pass d (5th)
Ravens run o (4th) vs. Lions run d (3rd)
— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) October 19, 2023
Perhaps we don’t talk more about Baltimore’s defense because there isn’t a defined edge-rusher who’s among the league leaders in sacks. Maybe it’s because Macdonald doesn’t have a known “shutdown corner” in his quiver. Or maybe people get him confused with Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.
But whether you recognize it or not, this Ravens defense is getting after it at all levels.
Let’s start with defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who currently leads the team with five sacks. The fourth-year man from Texas A&M, a third-round pick in 2020, has been playing the season of his life, and what’s especially interesting about Madubuike is how often he’s getting pressure outside the guards. Not what you’d expect from a 6-foot-3, 300-pound guy, but Madubuike isn’t your average pass-rusher at this point.
On this sack of Kenny Pickett against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5, Madubuike started to the outside shoulder of right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor, then moved to the inside shoulder of right guard Nate Herbig, and then blew up running back Jaylen Warren for the takedown. That’s pure demolition, folks.
Nothing unusual here. Just @Ravens DT Justin Madubuike demolishing half of the @steelers' offense on a sack of Kenny Pickett. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Madubuike is frustrating opponents from every gap. Hugely underrated guy. pic.twitter.com/ke9LZqaZYg
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) October 19, 2023
The Ravens are also using 2022 first-round pick Kyle Hamilton in some interesting ways. I thought that Hamilton was the best player in his draft class, and he’s been awesome in coverage both at safety and from the slot — he’s allowed 11 catches on 17 targets for 78 yards, 55 yards after the catch, no touchdowns, one interception, one pass breakup, and an opponent passer rating of 50.6.
But where Hamilton is REALLY effective this season is as a blitzer — against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3, he had three sacks — more than the two he had in his entire rookie campaign. On this sack of Gardner Minshew, watch how Hamilton slow-played the blitz, looking like a slot defender. Then, when it was too late for the Colts to change their protection, he careened in.
Another underrated defender this season has been safety Geno Stone. A seventh-round pick out of Iowa in 2020, Stone has also been playing at a new level this season. In fact, there are few deep safeties in the league playing at Stone’s level right now. He’s allowed six catches on 11 targets for 40 yards, 28 yards after the catch, no touchdowns, three interceptions, and an opponent passer rating of 23.1. Basically, opposing quarterbacks would be better off spiking the ball than throwing it anywhere near him.
On this interception of a Ryan Tannehill pass to tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo last Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, cornerback Marlon Humphrey had eyes on receiver DeAndre Hopkins underneath, which caused him to break a hair late on Okonkwo’s vertical route from the slot. But Stone did a great job of breaking on the ball in Cover-3, and came up with his justified reward.
In this week’s “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” the guys get into how the Lions will be challenged by this defense filled with Secret Superstars.
You can watch this week’s full “Xs and Os” video, featuring all of Week 7’s biggest matchups, right here:
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