Needing a solid showing from the offense, the Lions didn’t get many favors from the Ravens in Friday’s preseason opener in Baltimore.
After forcing the Ravens to punt, the Lions got off to a good start but sputtered, punting as well.
Detroit’s drive started from its own 4-yard line, but the Lions did a good job moving the ball out of the shadow of the goal post, especially as Matthew Stafford connected to Calvin Johnson for an 11-yard gain with Johnson breaking two tackles in the process.
Facing 3rd-and-14, Stafford dumped it off the Kevin Smith, who was tackled well short of the marker, forcing a punt. Stafford was under pressure off a safety blitz on the play, forcing the dump.
Things got off to a dubious start for the Lions as the Ravens started on offense. Corey Williams jumped through the line before the snap and the Ravens completed a 10-yard pass on their first play.
Cliff Avril, seeing his first game action of the preseason, dropped a sure interception as Joe Flacco threw the ball right to him but he couldn’t hang on. Despite bending, the Lions defense didn’t break, forcing a punt from near midfield.
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