Why Jared Goff can’t escape Lamar Jackson’s shadow...yet

Monday Night Football this week is bringing us one of the best games of the season - the Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens.

The Lions are riding high after their statement win over the Chicago Bears, and Jared Goff has been on fire to start the season. But Monday night in Baltimore brings a new test and a bigger problem. For Goff, that problem is named Lamar Jackson.

Jared Goff looks to break Lamar Jackson’s hold in Lions-Ravens clash

Historically, the Ravens have the leg-up in this contest, with a 6-1 record against the Lions. In fact, the last time the Lions beat the Ravens was two decades ago, and the last time they won in Baltimore was when the Ravens were still the Colts, in 1977.

As for the quarterbacks, the numbers don’t lie: Jackson is 3-0 in head-to-head matchups against Goff, with a 134.2 passer rating across those games. His Ravens have outscored Goff-led teams by a combined 73 points, often making the games look lopsided before halftime. In contrast, Goff’s passer rating in those contests is just 72.7.

If history is any indication, the Lions are facing a steep climb against a Ravens squad that knows how to exploit their quarterback.

But this isn’t the same Jared Goff the Ravens have seen before. The Lions quarterback is tied with Jackson for the league lead in touchdown passes heading into Week 3, tossing five in his last game alone. He’s distributing the ball with confidence, building quick chemistry with his weapons, and leading an offense that just dropped 52 points on a division rival.

This is the Goff Detroit hoped for when they traded for him - steady, explosive when needed, and capable of going toe-to-toe with the league’s elite.

Potential Super Bowl preview?

Both the Lions and Ravens are considered serious Super Bowl contenders, with rosters deep enough to withstand early-season bumps. Detroit’s rebuilt identity under Dan Campbell has them playing as tough as anyone in the league, while Baltimore looks refreshed after a 40-point outburst last week.

Still, the Goff vs Jackson narrative is the most anticipated. For Goff, beating the Ravens would erase years of struggles against Jackson and cement Detroit as a true NFC powerhouse. For Jackson, it’s a chance to extend his dominance and remind the league why Baltimore remains one of the most dangerous teams in football.

The Lions have reversed plenty of narratives in recent years. If Jared Goff can finally topple Lamar Jackson on Monday night, it might just be the biggest one yet.

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