The Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions are gearing up for a high-profile early-season clash, and one Ravens rookie has his eyes on a personal challenge.
Before entering the NFL, rookie safety Malaki Starks appeared on The Kay Adams Show and named Jared Goff among the quarterbacks he hoped to intercept someday, even calling the Lions signal-caller “elite.”
Now, months later, the former Georgia Bulldog has the chance to back up those words when Baltimore hosts Detroit on Monday night.
“Jared Goff is definitely one of the elite quarterbacks in this league. I respect his game a lot, and yes, I’d love the opportunity to pick him off,” Starks told reporters this week.
During his time in college, Starks tallied six interceptions while anchoring Kirby Smart’s defense. His next mission is to snag a takeaway against a Detroit attack that just erupted for 52 points in a rout of Chicago.
After stumbling in their season opener against Green Bay, the Lions bounced back in emphatic fashion. Goff threw five touchdown passes, and three different Detroit playmakers surpassed 100 all-purpose yards in the victory, showcasing just how dangerous the offense can be.
Still, the Ravens boast their own defensive firepower. The pairing of Starks and fellow safety Kyle Hamilton forms a young, athletic duo that could cause issues for any opposing quarterback.
“Detroit’s offense is loaded with talent and very well coached. They’re elite, no doubt,” Starks said. “For us, it’s about staying sharp, communicating, and trusting our preparation when we’re out there.”
Both teams have championship-level expectations this year, adding extra weight to this primetime meeting at M&T Bank Stadium. Starks, however, is keeping his mindset simple—focus on the defensive game plan and contain one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses.
“It’s football at the end of the day,” he explained. “They’ve got a high-powered, elite offense, but our job is to stick to what we do on defense. That’s where our focus is.”
