Week 3 of the NFL Season comes to a close tonight with an excellent matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Baltimore Ravens. I’ll have a full preview of the game below, but first let’s consider what else we learned from Week 3 in the NFL.

Kicking has never mattered more

In the marquee game of the early window, the Los Angeles Rams led 26-7 over the Eagles. But the Eagles made a comeback. That forced the Rams to try and kick field goals to win. A field goal that would have made it 29-21 was blocked. The Eagles went right down the field and scored a touchdown to take a 27-26 lead. The Rams drove all the way back and lined up for another easy field goal to win the game. Instead, it was blocked again, and returned for a touchdown. The Jets nearly came back against the Buccaneers by taking their own blocked field goal for a touchdown. And the Packers, who looked like the best team in the NFL, lost in Cleveland thanks, in part, to a blocked field goal in the Fourth Quarter.

The Vikings offense came to life

And all it took was J.J. McCarthy going to the bench. After having just one decent quarter in two games prior to Sunday, the Vikings exploded for 48 points on Sunday. Veteran backup Carson Wentz and running back Jordan Mason led the way as the Vikings rolled. It begs the question of whether McCarthy is really the right long-term solution for the team. Either way, the 2-1 Vikings head to Europe for a pair of games following a win that might have put their season back on track.

The Texans are in trouble

With a tough, 17-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, the Houston Texans slipped to 0-3. Worse yet, they’ve scored just 38 points in three games. That’s not good enough and they’re in a big hole. The offensive line has struggled, the running game is a mess, and the passing game is inconsistent. All that leaves the reigning AFC South Champions in a big hole as they look to make a run toward the playoffs again.

And now, on to Monday’s game.

Detroit Lions (1-1) at Baltimore Ravens (1-1)

This is a tale of two playoff teams from 2024 that have gotten off to an uneven start to the 2025 season. The Lions looked terrible in Week 1 and unstoppable in Week 2. The Ravens, meanwhile, have scored 81 points in two games but still managed only one win. Now, they clash in what could be a great shootout.

For the Lions, Jared Goff is a QB2 for me. It’s outdoors and on the road, but the Ravens’ defense hasn’t been great and is now banged up. I like Jahmyr Gibbs as a low-end RB1 and David Montgomery as a flex option in the backfield. At receiver, I like Amon-Ra St. Brown as a low-end WR1 and Jameson Williams as a flex option. I also like Sam LaPorta as a starting consideration at tight end.

For the Ravens, Lamar Jackson is a QB1. He’s a weapon through the air and on the ground. Derrick Henry had a poor game in Week 2, but he’s still a good start at running back. I think he’ll bounce back in Week 3. In the passing game, I like Zay Flowers as a WR2. The Ravens spread the ball around, so it’s hard to feel confident on another receiver as a lock at flex. If pressed, I like Rashod Bateman the best. I’m not playing tight end Mark Andrews. He hasn’t been a factor despite the offensive success in the first two weeks. I need to see more before I consider starting him.

I’m taking the Ravens to win the game.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.