Lions-Ravens Key Matchup: Jahmyr Gibbs vs. Roquan Smith

Can Jahmyr Gibbs find end zone for first NFL score against Ravens?

On Sunday, Jahmyr Gibbs will play a pivotal role for the David Montgomery-less Lions against the Ravens.

With Montgomery out, Gibbs will be provided with a prime opportunity to showcase why Detroit general manager Brad Holmes selected him No. 12 overall in this past April's NFL Draft.

In four games this season, Gibbs, who will be suiting up on Sunday for the first time since Week 4, has accumulated 179 yards on 39 carries (4.6 yards per carry). He's also contributed another 70 yards as a receiver. Yet, he's failed to find the end zone, both as a ball-carrier and a pass-catcher.

Gibbs will attempt to score his first career NFL touchdown against a Baltimore run defense that has allowed just one score and 586 yards (97.7 rushing yards a game) on the season. Additionally, the Ravens have permitted the fourth-fewest points in the league (15.2 per game).

Undoubtedly, the Alabama product has a big-time test ahead of himself against John Harbaugh's team.

"We watched him in college, obviously, and he's very talented, a very elusive, tough, hard-running back," Harbaugh said of Gibbs on Friday. "The snaps he's taken so far for the Lions have been the same, and he's very versatile. (He) can do everything they can do in the backfield, (he) lines up as a receiver, a lot of screens – all those things."

Baltimore veteran linebacker Roquan Smith will key the team's run-stuffing efforts on Sunday. Smith, an All-Pro selection a year ago, is adept at diagnosing run plays and getting in position to make stops.

He presently leads all Ravens defenders with 63 total tackles, and also has earned a Baltimore-best run defense grade of 83.9 from Pro Football Focus.

Best Bet: Lions' Receivers Make Plays

And, he's graded out even better against the pass, according to PFF. In fact, he's earned an 85.7 grade in coverage, the second-best mark among all Ravens defenders. It's why I wouldn't be surprised to see Smith tasked with covering Gibbs out of the backfield.  

All around, Smith has had an impressive start to his 2023 season, his second one in Baltimore. And, for his efforts, he's earned an 89.3 overall grade from PFF, the second-best grade out of 81 eligible linebackers.

He'll make it tough for Jared Goff & Co. to complete short passes and to run the ball effectively on a consistent basis Sunday. So, I don't envision Gibbs lighting up the stat sheet and rushing for 100 yards or anywhere close to that versus the Ravens. 

At this present juncture, I'll pencil the rookie back in for 60 yards on 18 carries, to go along with another 15 yards on three receptions. And, as much as Lions fans would love to see it, I don't believe Gibbs will be crossing the goal line for his first NFL score.