Ravens vs. Lions live updates: Score, analysis, highlights for 'Monday Night Football'

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Lions capitalize on Ravens' defensive holes right away

That didn't take long. Detroit marches right down the field on its opening series, burning almost six minutes of game block on an 11-play scoring drive punctuated by a Jahmyr Gibbs touchdown run and extended by an Amon-Ra St. Brown grab on fourth down. We got everything there: Nice touch from Jared Goff on a couple of chain-moving darts to Jameson Williams, timely route-running from St. Brown, bold calls from Dan Campbell. It's clear Baltimore is going to have some issues keeping up with the Lions' playmakers, down two of its best front-seven defenders in Nnamdi Madubuike and Kyle Van Noy. Gotta pressure Goff to affect him.

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Key question: Can the Lions get push in the ground game?

It's been a tale of two weeks for Detroit when it comes to running the ball. The electric Jahmyr Gibbs was bottled up for just 19 yards on nine carries in the season-opening loss to Green Bay, only to break out with close to 8 yards per carry against the Bears. The Ravens, meanwhile, will be missing their top interior defender in Nnamdi Madubuike (neck injury), potentially clearing the way for easier rushing lanes up front. David Montgomery should also be set for a sizable role as Gibbs' more physical counterpart, fresh off back-to-back outings with 11 carries.

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Ravens inactives: Jaire Alexander among big names out

Here's a full rundown of Baltimore's absentees for Monday night:

RB Keaton Mitchell

FB Patrick Ricard

TE Isaiah Likely

OT Carson Vinson

DL Nnamdi Madubuike

OLB Kyle Van Noy

CB Jaire Alexander

There are some colorful names here, perhaps none bigger than Madubuike, whose absence will be felt on the interior of the Ravens defense. Alexander is still ramping up to full speed after getting thrown into the fire in Week 1, when the ex-Green Bay Packers star made his debut in purple.

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X factor to watch: Ravens WR DeAndre Hopkins

When Hopkins joined the Ravens this year, plenty of reasonably minded folks waved off the acquisition as another low-risk, low-reward gamble on an aging, declining pass catcher -- a Baltimore special. But Hopkins has already proven remarkably clutch as a deep-ball artist for Lamar Jackson, scoring twice on just four catches and securing all four of his targets. He may be best served as a situational option at age 33, but D-Hop also just looks refreshed while operating downfield. Working against a bruised Lions secondary, he could have more opportunities to serve as a sort of closer for Baltimore's passing attack, whether on third down or in the red zone.

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Game-day focus: Can the Ravens generate a pass rush?

The Lions have left tackle Taylor Decker nursing an injury, but Baltimore isn't exactly overflowing with proven edge defenders. Madubuike leads the club with two sacks through two games but will be sidelined Monday night, and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (hamstring), who led the Ravens with 12.5 sacks a year ago, has also been ruled out. That leaves Odafe Oweh, Tavius Robinson and rookie Mike Green as the top candidates to get after Jared Goff. And getting after him is key, because when he's got time to operate, Goff excels at quickly distributing the ball to his playmakers.

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Eye on the Ravens: Will Lamar Jackson test the Detroit secondary?

The Ravens are an adaptable attack, pivoting to more of a run-heavy approach when able or required, but Jackson can sling it deep with the best of them, as evidenced by his four-touchdown showcase against the Browns in Week 2. And he might have added reason to try pushing the rock at home, with several key players banged up in the Lions' defensive backfield, including ball-hawking safety Kerby Joseph (knee) and top cover corner D.J. Reed (knee). Even if both are able to suit up, they may not be at full speed, putting more pressure on Lions Swiss Army knife Brian Branch.

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