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.”

A Different Offense, A Different Mentality

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.”

Proof It Can Be Done

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.”

Why This Rematch Matters

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.”