A marquee Monday Night Football matchup closes out Week 3 as two 1-1 teams with high expectations, the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens, collide. Following explosive offensive showings in Week 2, the contest is being billed as a potential Super Bowl preview and the game of the week.
The primetime showdown pits star quarterbacks Jared Goff and Lamar Jackson against each other in a game featuring the week’s highest projected point total.
Who Will Guide Fans Through Lions-Ravens on Monday Night Football
The primary ESPN/ABC telecast features the network’s established MNF booth. Joe Buck will be on play-by-play, with Troy Aikman as analyst. On the field, veteran reporter Lisa Salters will deliver updates and interviews throughout the game. This trio has fronted ESPN’s primetime NFL coverage since 2022, bringing an authoritative blend of experience, context, and in-game detail to the weekly showcase. The game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC, with streaming available via authenticated services and the ESPN app.
Fans seeking an alternate presentation can tune to ESPN2 for the ManningCast, where Peyton and Eli Manning offer a conversational companion broadcast with guest interviews and real-time breakdowns. The Ravens’ official game page lists the ManningCast as available for this matchup, giving viewers a second-screen option alongside the main call.
Pregame coverage begins with Monday Night Countdown, which precedes kickoff on ESPN. ESPN’s week-of listings highlight Scott Van Pelt as host with a rotating analyst panel that typically includes Ryan Clark, Marcus Spears, and Adam Schefter. Awful Announcing’s viewing guide notes the standard MNF lead-in block and confirms Buck/Aikman on the game call. For fans planning their evening, the Ravens’ Gameday Info acts like a hub that consolidates TV details, stadium entry guidance, and in-market broadcast information.
Not the dumbest idea: having Jeff Daniels on for Lions vs. Ravens on the ManningCast. pic.twitter.com/efO7cxS743
— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) September 22, 2025
On the radio, local calls are set on both sides. The Lions’ broadcast in Detroit airs on WXYT-FM (97.1 The Ticket) and the Lions Radio Network. In Baltimore, Ravens games are broadcast live on 98 Rock WIYY (97.9 FM) and WBAL (1090 AM and 101.5 FM), which remain the team’s flagship radio stations. A national feed will also be available on Westwood One, offering a coast-to-coast audio option for those following Monday night’s action away from the TV.
Expect a tightly contested matchup as the Lions, who enter Week 3 with the NFL’s top-ranked offense, look to convert more red-zone trips into touchdowns after managing just one rushing score inside the five-yard line through two games. Detroit’s third-down conversion rate stands at 36.0%, ranking near league average, and improving that efficiency will be critical against a Baltimore defense that, despite ranking 31st in yards allowed (409.5 per game), has forced the 11th-most takeaways and excels at disguising blitzes under defensive coordinator Zach Orr.
The Ravens’ defense rebounded last week by holding the Cleveland Browns to just 17 points, and their creative pressure looks could challenge Jared Goff’s timing and protection schemes. With both teams emphasizing ball security and situational execution, expect third-down stops and red-zone performance to decide who seizes control on Monday night.
As the Lions and Ravens chase an early-season statement under MNF’s spotlight, ESPN’s veteran team, backed by the ManningCast alternate feed and comprehensive pregame coverage, will guide viewers through every decision, review, and momentum swing from M&T Bank Stadium. With Buck, Aikman, and Salters at the center of the broadcast, fans can expect a polished, detail-rich call tailored to the night’s biggest moments.
