Payback like that takes pride and Dan Campbell’s bunch was full of it.
Detroit exorcised some Ravens demons after disheartening defeats in 2021 and 2023. Lamar Jackson entered 24-2 versus NFC opponents (.923), 7-2 on Monday Night Football (.778), and 20-6 in primetime (.769). The Lions beat an elite, mobile quarterback on the road under the lights — one of the finest regular-season wins of the Campbell era. And they did it with his hand-picked coordinators, pushing Week 1’s dud firmly into the rear-view mirror.
It was one of the finest regular season victories in the Dan Campbell era, and he did it with his new hand-picked coordinators, and the team further put Week 1’s performance in the rear-view mirror.
With so many clutch performances, here’s who’s trending up, down, and holding steady in our Week 3 stock report.
Stock up: Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE
On a night when Detroit’s defense was impressive despite giving up 30 points, Muhammad was outstanding, bottling up two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. After not playing until midway through Baltimore’s third drive, he made up for lost snaps: 4 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and his biggest play might’ve been a third-down tackle of a scrambling Jackson on Baltimore’s second-to-last drive, forcing a punt with Detroit up one score. He added six total pressures on 23 pass-rush snaps, boosting his season pressure rate to 20.8% — 10th among players with at least 30 rushes. The “edge opposite Hutchinson” worry looks a little overblown now.
Stock up: David Montgomery, RB
No one embodied the slugfest more than Detroit’s enforcer at running back. After early attempts to stretch Baltimore laterally failed, the Lions went straight north-south. On the 18-play, 98-yard touchdown drive, Montgomery set the tone and allowed Detroit’s blockers to out-physical the Ravens in their own backyard. He finished with a career-high 151 yards on just 12 carries (12.6 per), plus a critical 13-yard catch-and-run. Games like this remind everyone why he’s one of the league’s most underrated backs.
Stock down: Brock Wright, TE
Wright isn’t a receiving threat, despite a few Week 2 catches, and against the Ravens, he wasn’t much of a blocking one either. He appeared to miss multiple run blocks and allowed pressures as a pass protector. For a decently paid No. 2 tight end, Detroit needs more in the run game. It’s starting to feel like a tell when he lines up next to the tackle with Sam LaPorta flanked outside of him; LaPorta noticeably out-blocked him Monday.
Stock up: Dan Campbell, HC
Baltimore under John Harbaugh is a model of consistency. Campbell’s team went into M&T Bank Stadium and out-executed, out-prepared, and out-physicaled the Ravens. Detroit’s 224 rushing yards were the third-most the Ravens have ever allowed. Seven sacks of Lamar Jackson tied the most Baltimore has ever surrendered in a game. And for the first time in 57 games, the Ravens’ defense failed to record a sack.
Campbell did it with his guys. He rode with his hand-selected coordinators, a stable of assistants that have been with him since 2021, and a handful of new hires on staff. Plus, a team that put forth a gutsy performance that closely resembled his DNA. Campbell coached like winning was the only option, while the same can’t be said about John Harbaugh and some of his in-game decision-making.
Stock down: Brian Branch and Amik Robertson, DBs
After an all-out effort like that, these are nitpicks. The pass coverage was obviously overall a plus, but Branch and Robertson combined to allow 7 of Jackson’s 15 passing first downs. Branch was beaten one-on-one a handful of times by Mark Andrews and dropped a potential interception. Robertson was relegated to the 12th man, given a higher propensity for base looks, and still got hit over the middle in tough coverage spots. Both Branch and Robertson have, and will continue to, play better ball games.
Stock up: Penei Sewell, RT
After two uneven weeks to open the season, Sewell reminded everyone why he’s a generational talent and future Hall of Famer. He tilts an entire run game with his ability to crater defenses and reset the line of scrimmage. Against the Ravens, he didn’t just wash linemen — he swallowed linebackers whole like Monstro the Whale, turning second-level matchups into unwinnable nightmares.
Stock up: Tate Ratledge, RG
One of the most impressive early-season rookie performances in recent Lions history. Ratledge was Sewell’s sidekick in downhill dominance, especially in his battles with Ravens DT Travis Jones. More than once, Jones lost his anchor. Ratledge is making a real case to stay at right guard long term despite the value of center.
Stock neutral: Terrion Arnold, CB
Some fans are calling Arnold a “bust,” and his rough series on Baltimore’s late first-half TD drive didn’t help. He’s adjusting to more zone while still being pressed into island-man coverage. But his resilient second half — one catch allowed on three targets — helped fuel the Lions’ sack spree. Something to build on versus Cleveland.
Stock up: Aidan Hutchinson, DE
He’s a closer. Hutchinson forced one of the biggest regular-season turnovers of the Campbell era, then followed it with a walloping sack to set up second-and-long on Baltimore’s penultimate drive. After handling double teams the first two weeks, he may be rounding into form just in time to terrorize backup Browns tackles.
Stock down: Patrick O’Connor, DL
A great effort player asked to line up everywhere, but not a dynamic one. Detroit’s defense noticeably lifted when he came off the field. He played only seven second-half snaps after starting and logging the first two drives.
D.J. Reed: The only times Reed was on screen were on the Derrick Henry inadvertent goal line throw, close behind on the Lamar Jackson fourth down sack-fumble, and scooping up Hutch’s peanut punch of Henry. Reed erased Zay Flowers from the game plan in easily his best game as a Lion.
Linebackers: Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, and Alex Anzalone neutralized Baltimore’s two-headed monster and vanquished mobile QB demons. Campbell, in particular, had a titanic clash, matching Henry’s imposing force to destroy him after the first drive, and coming up with one of the biggest plays of his career on the fourth down sack. Depth guys Trevor Nowaske and Zach Cunningham maximized limited snaps.
Sam LaPorta: Four catches, three first-down conversions, plus a heck of a hustle play on Montgomery’s catch and run, and was yoking up defenders in the run game.
Jared Goff: Once again, he was an efficient machine, making crisp, sound decisions, keeping the offense in rhythm, and delivering with accuracy. Numerous throws required the exact perfect touch in high-leverage moments.
Amon-Ra. St Brown: When the Lions needed a bucket, St. Brown provided, often beating stud Marlon Humphrey when the team needed it. St. Brown, Jamerson Williams, and Khalif Raymond all were pivotal to the run game, with not only gritty blocks in the teeth of the defense but also relentless hustle plays downfield. That room just gets it.
Jake Bates: Aside from the missed record-long attempt and a kickoff out of bounds, he redeemed himself with a tackle on kick returner Rasheen Ali and a clutch 45-yard fourth-quarter field goal.
Lions Assistant Coaches: John Morton, Kelvin Sheppard, Hank Fraley, Scottie Montgomery, Kacy Rodgers, Shaun Dion Hamilton, and DeShea Townsend all had their units ready for a monumental win.
Isaac TeSlaa: TeSlaa got the start and received two targets, but he couldn’t capitalize on the slightly expanded role. More to come for the young, developing wide receiver.
Tyrus Wheat: Activated as the assumed third edge but saw only two snaps while Muhammad stole the show. Wheat will hope to make his case by stacking days in practice to earn a bigger opportunity.
Kerby Joseph: Helped limit explosive passes and wasn’t picked on aside from one Charlie Kolar catch, but got lost in the sauce on Henry’s TD run. As Detroit’s highest-paid defender, and the only one signed through 2029, the standard for impact plays is high.
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