Week 3 of the NFL season concludes with a cracking Monday Night Football contest as the Baltimore Ravens host the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium.

Both teams suffered opening defeats, but the Ravens soared to a 41-17 win over the hapless Cleveland Browns last weekend, while the Lions put the Chicago Bears to the sword, dominating a high-scoring contest 52-21.

Two talented offences will meet in Maryland, where the odds suggest that Lamar Jackson and the Ravens should have the edge.

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Back Baltimore to show their class

Both of these teams have Super Bowl ambitions, but it’s Baltimore who look more likely to mount a serious bid for the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and they can show why by posting a dominant victory.

While the Ravens were touched off 41-40 in a classic at Buffalo in Week 1, Jim Harbaugh’s men still demonstrated their explosiveness on offence, before piling up points again in their rebound win over Cleveland.

Lamar Jackson had four passing touchdowns from 29 attempts against the Browns, and he will be out to improve on an already imposing 24-2 record as a starter against NFC opposition.

Those 24 wins include a 2023 victory over the Lions – a 38-6 home triumph where Jackson threw for a season-best 357 yards with three passing TDs, as well as one of his own on the ground.

Given Detroit went 12-5 and made the NFC Championship Game that year, that scoreline will serve as a warning for Dan Campbell and his team on Monday night.

The Lions still have the ability to blow teams out at Ford Field, as they proved against the Bears, but doubts persist over their road credentials and Jared Goff at quarterback, whereas there are no doubts about Jackson and the Ravens on home turf.

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Flowers’ fine start should continue

The Ravens have the ability to pound the football on the ground with Derrick Henry, but Jackson has been happy to take the aerial route this season, with wide receiver Zay Flowers emerging as his top target.

After a 1,000-yard sophomore season, Flowers has been heavily involved in the first two games of the 2025 campaign, hauling in seven receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown against the Bills before another solid 75-yard showing against the Browns.

While he was unable to find the end zone last week, Flowers completed seven catches for the second straight game, so he’s worth backing to make at least six grabs against Detroit.

Expect Jackson to rely on his legs

Jackson wasn’t required to run with regularity against Cleveland, but Baltimore’s QB found success on the ground previously against Buffalo, rushing for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Last week’s effort can be considered a rarity – Jackson rushed for at least 63 yards in four of the last five games of the 2024 regular season, then he was similarly productive with his legs in their wild-card round clash with the Steelers, where he rushed for 81 yards.

Expect the Ravens’ leading man to eclipse a 44.5-yard rushing line.

All odds correct at time of writing.

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All odds correct at time of writing

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