The Detroit Lions don’t need a history lesson on what happened the last time they visited Baltimore. It was ugly. It was lopsided. And it’s still stuck in the minds of players like tight end Sam LaPorta. For LaPorta, now one of the team’s most reliable playmakers, that afternoon is motivation, not baggage. “We didn’t play our style of football that day,” LaPorta said, as quoted by Lions OnSI. “Two quick three-and-outs, next thing you know it’s 21-0. We were chasing the game instead of controlling it. That’s not who we are now.”
Fast forward to 2025, and the Lions’ offense has evolved. With Jared Goff playing some of the best football of his career, Amon-Ra St. Brown cemented as one of the league’s premier receivers, and young contributors like Isaac TeSlaa making highlight-reel plays, Detroit is far better equipped to handle the chaos Baltimore creates. LaPorta isn’t shy about what needs to change: start fast and stay calm.
“We can’t let the moment get too big,” LaPorta said. “Back then, we were frantic. Now, even if we take a punch early, we know how to respond. We’ve got too much talent and too much trust in each other to panic.”
If the Ravens looked invincible in 2023, they’ve already shown cracks this season. In Week 1, the Buffalo Bills stormed back late to hand Baltimore a shocking loss despite Lamar Jackson’s hot start. LaPorta believes that blueprint is encouraging. “You saw what Buffalo did — they put up points fast against one of the toughest defenses out there,” LaPorta said. “That just shows it can be done. And we’ve got the guys to do it.”
For the Lions, this Monday Night Football clash isn’t just about Week 3 — it’s about showing the league that Detroit is no longer the team that crumbled two years ago. Dan Campbell’s squad has built its identity on resilience, and LaPorta embodies that mindset.
“It’s a chance to prove how far we’ve come,” he said. “We’re not the same team we were in 2023. We’re smarter, stronger, and ready for whatever they throw at us.”
Bryce Young couldn’t stop smiling as he walked off the field after leading the Carolina Panthers to a dominant 30-0 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on September 21, 2025. The win marked a turning point for the young quarterback, who had been under intense scrutiny for much of his early career. This victory, which saw the Panthers dominate in all three phases of the game, gave Young his first career win that didn’t come in the fourth quarter or overtime.
Young’s performance wasn’t flashy — he finished 16 of 24 passes for 121 yards with one rushing touchdown and eight yards on the ground. But it was efficient. After a strong defensive stand that saw the Falcons miss a field goal on their first drive, Young and the offense took the field and went 61 yards in nine plays, capping the drive with a four-yard scramble for the first touchdown of the game. It was the first time this season the Panthers had held a lead in a game, and it gave the entire team the confidence to play more aggressively.
“That was big,” Young admitted after the game. “We wanted to start fast. The defense set the tone, and then the offense followed through with urgency. It was a great start for us.”
Despite not scoring another touchdown until the fourth quarter, the Panthers controlled the game with a solid performance in the turnover battle — no turnovers for the Panthers, while they forced three Falcons turnovers. The offense also dominated time of possession (31:58 to 28:02), including a key four-minute drive in the third quarter that was capped off with a field goal.
Head coach Dave Canales praised Young for his maturity and game management. “Solid execution,” Canales said. “Managing the game the right way, taking the aggressive shots when he felt like he had them, and just doing everything to keep the offense on track.” For Young, the win was a huge step in the right direction. It was a reminder that when he plays smart and focuses on the small details, success will follow. “It feels good right now,” Young said, still smiling after the game. “But we have a 24-hour rule. We’ll enjoy this one, then turn the page and focus on what’s next.”
The Panthers’ victory was more than just a win — it was a statement that the team is moving in the right direction with Bryce Young at the helm. The challenge now is to build on this performance and make it the foundation for greater success as the season progresses.