The Baltimore Ravens are entering their Week 3 matchup with the Detroit Lions, firing on all cylinders. They just beat down the Cleveland Browns in Week 2, 41-17, with a dominant performance on both the offensive and defensive ends. The team looks much closer to what people were expecting to see ahead of the season, and a key rookie could play a crucial role heading into one of the toughest matchups of the year.
2025 first-round selection Malaki Starks has had a rough start to his NFL career. Through two games, Starks has registered a 54.2 grade, per Pro Football Focus. He has especially struggled in coverage, allowing seven receptions on nine targets. He may be poised to turn it around on Monday Night Football in Baltimore, though.
Before the 2025 NFL Draft, Starks was asked on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams about a quarterback he would like to pick off in the NFL. The 21-year-old’s answer was Lions quarterback Jared Goff. He said:
“Just talking to some of my teammates that used to play [at Georgia], who are in the league now. [Goff] is an elite quarterback, so being able to add that to my resume, some of the guys, with the way they talk about him, that would be cool.”
Decent week to remind you who, prior to being drafted by the Ravens, Malaki Starks said he most wanted to pick off in the NFL.
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltim0re) September 16, 2025
It's Lions week in Baltimore.
via @UpAndAdamsShow pic.twitter.com/qWJU5eYcCR
Ravens rookie Malaki Starks eyes huge chance to check off NFL bucket list goal in Week 3
Starks had the chance to cross off a similar bucket list item in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills. After being drafted, the rookie called out Josh Allen as the quarterback he was looking forward to picking off the most, and he almost got him in the season opener. On the first drive, he had an errant Allen pass in his hands, but could not squeeze it. On Monday, he will be looking to correct his early-season mistake.
Goff will not be an easy man to intercept. While Green Bay Packers safety Evan Williams nabbed one in Week 1, Goff has been one of the most accurate passers in the NFL over the past two seasons. In 2024, he was second in completion percentage among quarterbacks with at least 300 pass attempts at 72.4%, and this year, he leads the league by a wide margin, completing 80.6% of his 67 attempts.
The Ravens’ defense tends to play Goff well, though. In three games against Baltimore, Goff is 0-3 with zero touchdowns and three interceptions. If Zach Orr and the defense can keep up the momentum, the Ravens should find success on Monday.
For Starks, he will likely be tested deep by Detroit wide receiver Jameson Williams. If he finds his footing in coverage, he should have plenty of opportunities to haul in his first career interception.