The Detroit Lions are entering Week 3 with plenty of momentum, but there’s also a memory they can’t quite shake — their ugly 2023 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. That game wasn’t just a defeat; it was a humbling moment, a blowout that left the Lions questioning how far they still had to go to be considered among the NFL’s elite. And as Detroit prepares for Sunday’s primetime showdown, those scars are still fresh.
Players and coaches have admitted the sting from that beatdown hasn’t faded. “You don’t forget those,” one Lions veteran said, noting how Baltimore’s physicality and execution exposed every weakness Detroit had at the time. The Ravens not only dominated on the scoreboard, but they set a tone that reminded the Lions what it takes to compete with the league’s toughest teams.
Fast forward to 2025, and Detroit is no longer the same squad that walked into Baltimore and got bullied. With Jared Goff leading one of the NFL’s most efficient offenses, Aidan Hutchinson anchoring a nasty defense, and Dan Campbell instilling a relentless mindset, the Lions believe they’re built to handle this kind of test now.
Still, the Ravens remain a measuring stick. Between Lamar Jackson’s MVP-caliber play and Derrick Henry’s bruising presence in the backfield, Baltimore is as dangerous as ever. For the Lions, this game is more than just Week 3 — it’s a shot at redemption, a chance to prove they’ve grown past the mistakes of 2023 and are ready to battle the AFC’s best on equal footing.
The Lions haven’t forgotten last year. Now, they want to make sure nobody forgets this year either.
Lions Haven’t Forgotten 2023 Beatdown From Ravens — and They’re Out for Payback
