The Detroit Lions aren't going to have an easy time in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens, and that's mostly to do with the fact that they play on the road against a very aggressive offense.
Baltimore likes to push the tempo, and have a strong, physical offensive line as well as a punishing run game. After that, the finesse of Lamar Jackson takes over, which leads to trouble down the field in terms of big plays and coverage busts.
Detroit was steamrolled 38-6 the last time they played the Ravens on the road, and didn't match Baltimore's intensity all day long as part of the blowout loss. It was arguably the worst loss the Lions have had in two seasons, which sets up a major opportunity for 2025 offensively and defensively.
Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was on the field that day against the Ravens, and didn't have his best game, only registering four total tackles. As such, he understands that things are going to have to be different this time, especially in terms of attitude and physicality.
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The good news? Hutchinson believes the Lions learned a lot from that lopsided game, and believes the ingredients are there for a more succeaful road trip for Detroit this time around.
"We got to be ready physically and we know that. We know they want to establish the line of scrimmage and get Derrick (Henry) going and Lamar (Jackson) going. We understand that and we're going to be ready. We're going to be ready physically."
Playing hard is a mindset as much as it is something that can be instituted on the field. To that end, the Lions are going to have to step up and be ready to go from the start. Hutchinson knows the team learned that lesson painfully the last time around, and wants to ensure his defense is ready.
Hutchinson understands Lamar Jackson requires attention up front
The hardest thing about defending the Ravens is contending with Jackson, a tough, running quarterback who can extend the play and also has a fantastic arm. That skillset isn't easy for an opposing defense to manage, and can lead to multiple breakdowns.
In spite of that, Hutchinson is a believer in what the Lions have done in terms of a game plan on the defensive side. He knows that the quarterback is going to dictate how Detroit defends, and believes the team will need to pay extra attention.
"It adds that layer of the quarterback run game that gives a lot of defensive fits. So, I think we got a really good game plan (going) in and we just got to get on the same page and execute it, knowing that he might get some runs but just containing him and limiting the damage, really."
If the Lions are able to keep Jackson in check overall, they should be able to limit the damage the Baltimore offense can do. Mostly, it involves a commitment to physicality and matching the intensity the Ravens will surely bring.