John Harbaugh Lets Everyone Know Who’s to Blame for Ravens Loss as Lions Break 0–4 Curse

The Lions came to the M&T Bank Stadium with a 1-1 win-loss record, which saw a 52-21 week 2 win against the Bears. But week 3 was supposed to be a real challenge. The Ravens had also won the week 2 game similarly, by 41-17.  So, when both teams lined up against each other on the ground, fans got excited. In the end, John Harbaugh‘s team lost to Dan Campbell‘s by 30-38.

Speaking during the post-game conference, the Ravens HC revealed the reason behind their loss, “The biggest problem is we didn’t play good run defense. That’s not going to be good enough, that’s bad run defense. That’s not who we are. It cannot be who we are.”

From the first snap, the Lions set the tone, and they never let up. With 224 rushing yards on 38 carries, they weren’t just running the ball; they were dictating the pace. Not only did they convert 12 rushing first downs. But they also kept the Ravens chasing the clock. Even though Detroit committed 8 penalties for 68 yards, those flags barely slowed the momentum. Meanwhile, Baltimore struggled to match the ground dominance, gaining only 85 yards on 19 attempts.

The passing game complemented the rush perfectly. Jared Goff made 20 completions on 28 attempts for 202 yards, zero turnovers. As a result, drives kept rolling, chains kept moving. Although the Ravens threw for 233 yards, the Lions’ 7.2 yards per attempt versus 6.7 helped them gain the slight edge, which became huge when coupled with the rushing game.

Turnovers and sacks tilted the field even further. Detroit avoided mistakes entirely, while John Harbaugh’s team lost a fumble and got sacked 7 times for 55 yards. Not only did the Lions protect the football, but they also maintained relentless offensive pressure. After all, penalties matter only when drives stall. But Detroit’s methodical approach kept the Ravens on their heels.

Red-zone execution told the real story. 4 of 5 trips ended in touchdowns, whereas Baltimore converted only 2 of 4. Because the Lions ran efficiently, they not only moved the chains but also finished drives decisively. All things considered, penalties looked ugly, but the combination of a pounding ground game, precise passing, and flawless situational football carried the day.

John Harbaugh’s team gives up its longstanding record

For years, M&T Bank Stadium was Detroit’s Bermuda Triangle. The Lions entered, and their hopes vanished. From 1998 to 2023, the Ravens dominated, outscoring Detroit 233-145 (points scored). The series stood at 6-2, with the Lions’ only wins coming at home. Each trip to Baltimore felt like a replay of past failures. The 0-4 curse for the Lions, in the Ravens’ ground game, was real. It wasn’t just about the losses. It was about the weight of history pressing down on every snap, as Detroit lost at M&T Bank Stadium every year when they met.

Then came Monday, September 22, 2025. Detroit didn’t just win. They obliterated the curse. A relentless rushing attack amassed 224 yards, with 12 rushing first downs. The offense was efficient, converting 4 of 5 red zone trips and 3 of 3 fourth downs. Even with 8 penalties, the Lions maintained control, dictating the game’s tempo and leaving Baltimore chasing shadows.

But the turning point came with Derrick Henry‘s fumble. Trailing 28-24 with just over eight minutes left, Henry coughed up the ball on a punch-out by Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions recovered and capitalized, extending their lead. Cameras caught Henry slamming his helmet in frustration, visibly frustrated with his move.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh addressed the costly turnover, stating, “We’ve got to get it fixed….We just want to protect the football.” In the end, Detroit didn’t just break the curse; they redefined it. The Ravens’ fortress had fallen, and the Lions stood victorious, rewriting history in their favor.