Was Lions’ Win Over Ravens Their Greatest Game Ever?

The Detroit Lions' win over the Baltimore Ravens, 38-30, may have been the team's best win in my lifetime and perhaps the team's history.

I am old enough to remember when the Lions played at the old Tiger Stadium. I also remember that before the Pontiac Silverdome was built, the site was used for motorcycle and off-road vehicle hill climbing. I lived close to where the Silverdome was constructed and basically watched it being built. Needless to say, I've watched a lot of Lions football.

The Detroit Lions Have Played Several Great Games

Over the years, the Lions have had some great players and won some great games. Regardless of the players and the wins, they have not had many trips to the playoffs and have not appeared in a Super Bowl.

The Lions have had legendary players like Billy Sims, Barry Sanders, Jason Hanson, Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, to name a few. The Lions played and won many great games, but when they needed to beat an elite NFL team on the road when it mattered most, the Lions came up short.

Read More: Lions QB Goff Botches Crowd Leap in Win

The Lions have had individuals have great games, but they've never had a great offense, defense, and special teams all at the same time until the last couple of seasons.

Was That The Greatest Lions Game Of All Time?

You might be thinking the Lions only beat the Ravens by 8 points, but how can this be their greatest game ever? Remember two years ago when the Lions were leading the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game 24-7 at the half and wound up losing 34-31 and a trip to the Super Bowl? An elite team doesn't blow a 24-7 lead at halftime in the second half.

Do you remember last season, in the first round of the playoffs, when Detroit lost to the Washington Commanders 45-31? The Lions were having their best season ever, and lost to a rookie quarterback. Granted, the Lions dealt with defensive injuries the entire season, which caught up with them in the playoffs. The team had consistently struggled against teams with mobile quarterbacks until their victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

After three quarters of play, the Lions and Ravens were tied at the end of each quarter. That is what happens when two elite NFL teams play each other. Both offenses and defenses were doing their jobs, or the score may have been even higher.

The Lions' defense had 7 sacks against Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is one of the best in the NFL and not an easy guy to get a hold of. The defense kept Jackson and running back Derrick Henry in check for most of the game.

Goff marched the Lions down the field twice for drives over 95 yards, utilizing the run and passing game and using up the clock. Going for it on fourth down iced the game when they followed up with a score.

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The Lions, for the first time in my life, were the complete team on offense, defense, and special teams against the Ravens, who are Super Bowl favorites. Was it a perfect game? No, but it shows the Lions are now a complete team.

This is the kind of win Detroit has needed for a long time, and it showed they could compete with elite teams on the road, making this the team's greatest game so far in Lions history.

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