Inside the Numbers: Lions Have Even Matchup Against Ravens
The Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens are two teams with similar playing styles. When they meet Sunday, it will be clash between Detroit's high-powered offense against Baltimore's physical defense.
However, the similarities don't end there. Both teams sport similar marks in a number of areas. In the DVOA category, the opposing teams are built very similarly.
The Lions' passing offense ranks fourth in DVOA, while the Ravens counter as the third-best passing defense. Detroit's run game and Baltimore's run defense both rank seventh in that category.
On the Ravens' side, their passing offense ranks 14th while the Lions' passing defense ranks fifth. Baltimore's run game stands fourth in the league, while Detroit's run defense is third.
As a result, the battle will be as evenly matched as it gets.
The Ravens feature a multi-faceted attack on the defensive line that allows them to bring pressure from a number of areas. Ranging from their defensive line to linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen, along with safety Kyle Hamilton, every player is capable of putting heat on the quarterback.
"It's everything. It's everything. They've got a heck of a blitz package here on third down," said offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. "(Baltimore's) Coordinator does phenomenal job with that. And then they're really well coached. They have been for years and I know he was there before, went to Michigan for a year, and came back but I mean it's the Baltimore Ravens, you know, it's every time you play them."
Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald has become known for mixing up his schemes on a weekly basis. As a result, the Lions will be forced to adapt to how the Ravens defense elects to defend them.
"I don't know if it's more so than normal, but we might get into the game a little bit to kind of figure out how they want to attack us, at least in certain spots or situations," Johnson explained. "They have an identity and they know who they want to be. They don't stray away from that, so it's a physical group that shows up week in and week out. But yeah, in terms of scheme, they mix it up pretty good week to week."
The Lions' offense has dealt with its struggles in recent weeks. In Week 6 against Tampa Bay, the running game failed to get going throughout. The Buccaneers were able to shut down that aspect, but Detroit responded by winning through the air.
This has built Johnson's confidence in the team's ability to attack any opponent regardless of style.
"I think that's what was encouraging about last week. They did make us one-dimensional, we did not run the ball well at all," Johnson stated. "There's a number of reasons for that that we're looking to clean up. But I thought our guys responded really well. ... We are versatile. We can shape, we can go whatever direction we need to go because we have the players that can do it."
