Baltimore Ravens at Detroit Lions Preview

By Chuck Bednar | Saturday, October 08, 2005 | ( 0 )

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The Baltimore Ravens and the Detroit Lions, who square off this Sunday in a 1:00pm tilt at Ford Field in Michigan, are in many ways mirror images of each other. Both teams are struggling offensively while possessing solid defenses and 1-2 records. The difference is that the Detroit Lions are tied atop the NFC North, while the Baltimore Ravens are tied at the bottom of the AFC North.

In three games, Baltimore has only scored a total of 30 points, 13 of them in last weekend's victory over the New York Jets. QBs Kyle Boller and Anthony Wright have combined to throw five interceptions and just two touchdown passes thus far on the season, with Wright having been sacked eight times in three games. With the passing game struggling, the running game has been unable to get things started either. Or perhaps its the other way around. RB Jamal Lewis is averaging just 2.5 yards per carry and has only 138 rushing yards -- a good game for the former 2000 yard rusher -- on the season so far, and the team has averaged a lowly 68.7 yards per contest on the ground.

Of course, the stellar Raven defense, led by LB Ray Lewis and S Ed Reed, has only allowed 190 yards passing and 70 yards rushing per game. That's bad news for a Lions offense that has vastly underperformed given their talent level. Many experts say the blame falls squarely on the shoulders of QB Joey Harrington, who has completed just over 50% of his passes and has thrown five picks compared to just three touchdowns. The Detroit running game has been anemic as well, with the team averaging just 74 yards per game on the ground. Things won't get any easier this week, as WR Charles Rogers will serve the first week of a four game substance-abuse suspension.

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