The Detroit Lions came into the 2025 season with a major roster question mark along the offensive line, and it didn't take long for that issue to be exposed.
In Week 1, the Lions were embarrassed by the Green Bay Packers. Many wondered if that indicated a long season was on the horizon. Instead, the Lions flipped the script in two weeks to serve notice that early reports of their demise may have been greatly exaggerated.
Monday's dominating 38-30 win over the Baltimore Ravens wouldn't have been possible if not for the team's offensive line controlling the narrative. Rarely do road teams walk into Baltimore and out-muscle the Ravens, but that's exactly what the Lions were able to do.
Detroit rushed for 224 yards and four touchdowns. David Montgomery accumulated 151 of those yards on the ground, and gashed the Ravens for a 72 yard run, only made possible due to gaping holes up front. Detroit had 98 and 96 yard drives, issuing multiple body blows to a tough Ravens defense that eventually wore down.
Jared Goff had a front row seat to the performance, and was quick to point out that the demoralizing effort on offense was a major credit to the big guys up front.
"They were all due to our offensive line. I don't know how many times we ran it on the 98 yard drive. It felt like we just kept running the ball and then David (Montgomery) obviously had the long run on the other one. Those guys up front tonight were incredible and they were grinding. They were tired on some of those long drives and the defensive line was more tired. So it was good to see them keep pushing, keep going and those were huge drives."
As bad as the Lions' offense looked in Week 1, they look that good now. In the last two games, they've scored 90 points and have looked even better than the team that dominated most of the 2024 season. If the line continues to pave the way well, that's a scary stat for the opposition.
Goff credits Lions' young guards for stepping up and growing quickly
The last two seasons, Detroit's offensive line has been the heartbeat of their entire elite offensive operation. Replacing Frank Ragnow as well as starting a rookie and a second-year guards was seen to be a major stumbling block. Perhaps that's no longer the case.
Goff believes the young duo of Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge only needed time to jell together and learn the pace of the league to show their stripes. After the punishment the Lions have dealt to the opposition the last two weeks up front, it seems as if that's the case.
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"I think you put those two weeks together, it's pretty impressive. In particular, those two guards starting to really understand and put it together. (Taylor) Decker, Penei (Sewell) and Graham (Glasgow) have so many years accumulated at this point, but those two guys, they're starting to figure it out. They're playing really well and understanding the speed of the game, understanding little nuances now it seems. They're doing great."
Whatever communication errors and sloppiness were seen in the first week have dissipated quickly. It's a credit to Mahogany and Ratledge for staying hungry and coachable. The veterans have brought them along, and have maintained the standard set by those before them.
Detroit's offensive line deserves the credit for a big win in Baltimore. It was their physicality which set the tone, and helped the Lions rediscover whatever sliver of their identity may have been lost.