(Updated: Friday 12 p.m.)
With the Ravens trying to snap their two-game skid and hosting the NFC-leading Green Bay Packers on Sunday, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. The rise of COVID-19 positive tests around the NFL feels like an unsettling race to game day with each team having a key member of its defense land on the reserve list on Thursday. Roster situations are much worse elsewhere, but the outlook of any game could change quickly.
2. With Josh Johnson being signed away from the Jets and Lamar Jackson still not practicing through Friday, all signs are pointing toward Tyler Huntley starting. With more meaningful games to follow, pushing an injured quarterback who was already struggling of late too hard would seem unwise. We’ll see.
3. Arguably the league’s best secondary welcoming Aaron Rodgers to town made for one of the best matchups on Baltimore’s schedule when it was released in May. Like four years ago when the Ravens faced backup Brett Hundley at Lambeau Field, it’s a shame we’re not getting what we originally envisioned.
4. Wink Martindale compared the “unbelievable” combination of Rodgers and Davante Adams to Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, which is a scary thought for a secondary barely recognizable from its September version. The raw numbers don’t reflect how efficient the Green Bay offense has been.
5. This offense line is neither healthy nor trustworthy enough to inspire confidence despite the potential absence of Packers nose tackle Kenny Clark. Patrick Mekari returning would help, but Alejandro Villanueva is tied for the league lead in sacks allowed and is fourth in pressures surrendered among all linemen, per PFF.
6. Though both offensive lines have been hammered by injuries, the Packers have trailed for a league-low 28.1% of their second-half plays, per Sharp Football. That’s quite a contrast from the comeback-dependent Ravens, who rank 21st in the NFL at taking just 32.3% of their offensive snaps while holding a lead.
7. Though some injuries have been an issue, Chris Westry has flashed in coverage and will face his biggest test to date going up against Green Bay’s wide receivers. You’d feel much better about these last four games — and beyond — if the former reserve-future signee holds up to a respectable degree.
8. John Harbaugh sounded optimistic about Patrick Ricard and Nick Boyle on Monday, but both continue to miss substantial practice time. Greg Roman acknowledged, “When you take them out of the equation, you really aren’t going to do the same stuff” on offense. They’re such important cogs for the ground game.
9. Green Bay has committed an NFL-low 10 turnovers while the Ravens are tied for 29th with just 11 takeaways. Remember the league-high 22 forced fumbles last year? Baltimore has only forced seven in 2021. It’s difficult to swing win probability in close games when you rarely steal possessions.
10. Acknowledging I’m not bubbling with optimism, the Ravens have a massive edge with their league-leading special teams while the Packers rank last in Football Outsiders’ efficiency metric. Beyond Justin Tucker’s brilliance, a big return or a blocked kick would go a long way in trying to overcome Jackson’s potential absence.
Mo Drayton: "When you talk about the Baltimore Ravens, to me, they're the standard of special teams."— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) December 16, 2021
11. The Ravens haven’t been regarded as this kind of home underdog since the end of their 2015 season, but they’ve played with too much resolve all year to count them out, especially at M&T Bank Stadium. Green Bay’s defense is hardly invincible, especially if Baltimore gets the running game going.
12. Though the Ravens’ “Color Rush” uniforms are better than many versions we saw when that trend was at its peak, I can’t say I’m a big fan of the look. That said, Baltimore is 4-0 by a score of 147-30 when donning them. Take all the mojo you can get.
