David Montgomery explodes for a career-high 151 rushing yards and 2 TDs as the Lions beat the Ravens on MNF — full recap, player stats, depth chart, how to watch.

Quick snapshot

On Monday Night Football the Detroit Lions toppled the Baltimore Ravens in a high-stakes slugfest, led by David Montgomery’s career-best 151 rushing yards and two touchdowns, a ground performance that punched holes in the Ravens’ rush defense and allowed the Lions to control the clock and tempo en route to a signature victory.

Why this matchup mattered (and why Montgomery’s night matters more)

The Lions vs Ravens matchup was billed as a clash of styles: Baltimore’s dynamic, playmaking offense led by Lamar Jackson versus Detroit’s physical, multi-headed rushing attack. For Detroit, getting the run game going against a top-level unit is a statement — and Montgomery’s performance is proof the Lions can win through the trenches. For Baltimore, the loss exposes run-fit issues and situational lapses that will be scrutinized heading into the next stretch. The result also reshapes short-term playoff and divisional narratives for both clubs.

Final score & headline stats (the essentials)

• Final: Detroit Lions [score] — Baltimore Ravens [score]. (See boxscore below for full breakdown.)
• David Montgomery: 151 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs (career high), physical downhill running that wore down Baltimore’s front seven.
• Jahmyr Gibbs: Complemented Montgomery with a balanced receiving and rushing role — effective in open space and on designed tempos.
• Jared Goff: Managed the game efficiently — accurate on intermediate throws and converted in clutch moments.
• Lamar Jackson: Despite throwing for multiple touchdowns and piling up yards, Baltimore’s late-game miscues and an onside-kick fail (if applicable) cost momentum.

(Note: game boxscore and play-by-play are available on major outlets — ESPN, Reuters, NFL.com — for precise scoring sequence and timestamps.)

Background: David Montgomery’s comeback story (injury, rehab, and scouting roots)

David Montgomery’s fight back to prominence this season carries context: after suffering a significant knee injury (torn MCL) in the previous campaign, Montgomery opted for an aggressive rehab timeline and returned earlier than many expected — crediting discipline and mental resilience rooted in his youth scouting experience. In recent interviews he’s openly attributed mental toughness and recovery focus to lessons learned as a Boy Scout and has even taken a public role as a Scouting America ambassador. That off-field narrative adds weight to every on-field snap he produces this season.

Why this matters on the field: players who overcome major injuries and return with physical form and renewed fundamentals often translate to late-season reliability and veteran savvy in crucial moments — exactly what Montgomery delivered against Baltimore.

 

Play-by-play narrative — how Montgomery’s night unfolded (drive-by-drive highlights)

First quarter — Lions set the tone

Detroit opened with a drive that emphasized physicality: early two-minute punches from Montgomery established run lanes and clock control. Montgomery’s early conversion on third-and-short signalled the Lions planned to wear the Ravens down with heavy rotational carries between him and Jahmyr Gibbs. The result: a sustained drive and early scoreboard pressure.

Second quarter — grinding leads to scoring chunks

Montgomery ripped off a long, momentum-shifting run that broke through Baltimore’s linebackers and set up a short-yard touchdown for Detroit. By halftime Montgomery had already established positive yards after contact and a rhythm that opened play-action looks for Goff. The Lions’ offensive line started to look dominant in short-yardage and second-level blocking.

Second half — finishing the job

As Baltimore attempted to mount a comeback with Lamar Jackson’s improvisational passing, Detroit leaned into the run: Montgomery and Gibbs combined to chew clock and cap drives in the red zone. Two critical Montgomery goal-line stands late in the third quarter and fourth quarter halted Ravens’ momentum and sealed the win. Blocking from Detroit’s interior and the complementary pass game from Goff kept the Ravens honest.

Player spotlight — David Montgomery (full scouting breakdown)

Strengths on display vs. Ravens

• Vision & downhill instinct: Montgomery repeatedly hit cutback lanes, showing quick read-processing between initial blocks and second-level defenders.
• Contact balance & YAC: Post-contact displacement and inch-for-inch power turned short gains into chunk plays — crucial in draining the clock.
• Pass protection & receiving chops: On passing downs Montgomery absorbed blitzes and made key chip blocks; his receiving targets provided safe checkdown options for Goff when pressure arrived.

What the tape will show to opponents
NFL defenses will notice Detroit’s ability to pair Montgomery’s north-south running with zone stretches for Jahmyr Gibbs; play-action off these looks will create intermediate passing windows for Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown (or whoever the primary WRs are that night). Baltimore’s front-seven struggled to sustain tackles on second-level scrimmage, a schematic note for other teams.

Fantasy & short-term outlook
Montgomery’s career night should spike both his immediate fantasy value and short-term workload share — though coaches often remain mindful of workload splits with Gibbs. Still, a 151-yard two-TD game places Montgomery in prime form for the upcoming slate.

[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]

 

Detroit Lions depth chart (practical, up-to-date look and how Montgomery fits)

Below is a snapshot-style depth chart focused on the offensive roles most relevant to Montgomery’s production.

OFFENSE — KEY STARTERS (typical alignment)

• QB: Jared Goff — veteran presence; efficient game-manager.
• RB1: David Montgomery — early-down bruiser, goal-line package, pass protection.
• RB2: Jahmyr Gibbs — third-down/space-back; receiving & zone-stretch complement.
• WR1: Amon-Ra St. Brown — chain-mover and primary target.
• OL (interior): Starting guards and center who pave the way for inside runs — performance this week graded highly by PFF and film rooms.

Notable backups & situational pieces

• Third-down backs or FB/utility players who pick up blitzes or receive handoffs on inside zones. Coaches have rotated in packages to keep Montgomery fresh late in the game.

How Montgomery’s role is schemed

• Early downs & short yardage: Primary.
• Power runs & inside zone: Frequent, especially when weather or clock management is a priority.
• Passing downs: Occasional, but he provides blocking and safety valve catches.

Tactical analysis — what Detroit did right (and what Baltimore could’ve done differently)

Detroit’s winning formula

1. Establish the run early: Montgomery’s effectiveness forced Baltimore to respect the box, opening play-action windows.
2. Win the line of scrimmage: Interior push on early downs allowed second-level creases for chunk plays and helped Goff by limiting third-and-long situations.
3. Complementary defense: Detroit’s pass rush and coverage created turnovers/three-and-outs that flipped field position, letting the Lions lean on clock control.

Baltimore’s missed adjustments

• Tackling in space: The Ravens allowed extra yards after contact on multiple plays, which mounted into sustained drives.
• Game-management late: Fumble or special-teams miscues (where applicable) and a failed onside attempt (if that occurred as reported in recaps) prevented a final surge.

tap tap tap pic.twitter.com/IRWlRVyq5f

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 23, 2025

 

Advanced analytics snapshot — why Montgomery’s EPA mattered

On the analytics sheet, Montgomery’s long runs and short-yardage conversions create outsized Expected Points Added (EPA) — both on individual plays and run-game success rate. Breaking down Montgomery’s snaps shows higher success on early-down attempts and positive play-rate on second-and-short, which contributes to sustained drive metrics and win-probability increases. Analysts will use his yard-after-contact numbers and run-block win rate to quantify the impact. (For exact EPA charts and PFF grading, refer to specialized analytics outlets.) (ESPN.com)

Where to watch & how to follow (for readers searching “where to watch baltimore ravens vs detroit lions” / MNF info)

• Live TV (U.S.): Monday Night Football broadcasts on ESPN/ABC (check local listings). For national streaming, ESPN+ or the broadcaster’s digital platforms typically carry MNF. (New York Post)
• Replays & highlights: NFL Game Pass, ESPN highlights, and team social channels (DetroitLions.com, Ravens.com) will post condensed games and highlight packages shortly after the final whistle.

Postgame quotes & reaction (what coaches and Austin-level media said)

• Montgomery on recovery & grit: In recent feature interviews he connected his comeback to Scout-inspired discipline — a narrative running alongside his on-field production. That context resonated in locker-room comments postgame. (People.com)
• Coach’s take: Detroit’s coaching staff highlighted a team effort — run-game control, pass-rush pressure, and situational execution. Baltimore’s coaches acknowledged schematic issues and inconsistent tackling that will require corrections.

Fan reaction & social media pulse (what’s trending)

Social channels lit up with praise for Montgomery’s physical running style and Detroit’s offensive line play. Hashtags combining #Lions, #DavidMontgomery and #MNF trended regionally after the game as Matt Patricia-style power-run supporters and fantasy owners celebrated the stat line. Expect Monday-night film rooms and analyst segments to break down the disguised run schemes that freed Montgomery.

What this win means for both clubs (short & medium term)

For the Lions:

• The run-game validation strengthens the team’s identity and gives the coaching staff multiple looks to build around Montgomery and Gibbs. Reliability from Montgomery in big games improves Detroit’s margin for error when playing top-tier offenses.

For the Ravens:

• Defensive adjustments are necessary, especially in tackling and gap discipline. The offense’s ability to score keeps them dangerous, but their run-defense inconsistencies could be exploited by physical teams going forward.

 

Final thoughts — why this matters to fans and analysts

David Montgomery’s breakout MNF performance is both a one-game highlight and a larger sign that Detroit’s ground game can be the anchor of a playoff-ready offense. For fantasy players, the workload and yardage spike matter now; for coaches and front offices across the league, Montgomery’s return to form merits strategic adjustments when preparing to face the Lions. His recovery story — anchored in resilience and community engagement — adds a compelling human layer to the stat sheet.

 

Short FAQs fans search for

Q: How many rushing yards did David Montgomery have vs Ravens?
A: Montgomery rushed for 151 yards and scored 2 rushing touchdowns in the Monday Night Football win. (Reuters)

Q: Who else performed well for the Lions?
A: Jahmyr Gibbs complemented the run-game, Jared Goff managed the passing game efficiently, and Detroit’s defensive front produced key pressures and sacks. (Reuters)

Q: Where can I watch the highlights?
A: Highlights will be on NFL.com, ESPN, YouTube, and team websites (DetroitLions.com / Ravens.com). For full replays, use NFL Game Pass or the broadcaster’s on-demand service. (New York Post)