Green Bay Packers v. Ravens: Behind Enemy Lines
By Paul Bretl
After a win this past Sunday coupled with a loss by Arizona, the Green Bay Packers are now the one-seed in the NFC and control their own destiny. They are also just one win — or Minnesota loss — away from clinching the NFC North as well.
But in order to achieve each of those season-long goals, it all starts with the Green Bay Packers winning on the road against Baltimore.
The Ravens enter Sunday’s matchup at 8-5, and much like the Packers, they have been decimated by injuries this season–more on that shortly. At this time, we do not know if Lamar Jackson will be under center as he deals with an ankle injury, but regardless, we can expect a heavy dose of the run game with some shot plays mixed in. On defense, this is a stout Ravens front but a secondary that can be taken advantage of with all of the injuries that have occurred.
To help preview this upcoming matchup, I’ve received some help from Justin Fried of Ebony Bird, where they cover anything and everything about the Baltimore Ravens. Justin was kind enough to answer five of my questions about this Ravens team to help provide us with some insight into this unfamiliar opponent.
Like the Packers, the Ravens have endured a number of injuries this season. Which key players have missed time, and are there any players who have stepped up in their absences?
Justin: The Ravens’ injury list is far too lengthy to detail right now, or we’ll be here all day. But some of the most important players who have missed considerable time or are out for the year have been Ronnie Stanley, Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Derek Wolfe, DeShon Elliott, L.J. Fort, and Patrick Mekari. Again, that’s only scratching the surface.
Perhaps no team in the NFL has been hit harder by injuries. We’ve seen Devonta Freeman emerge as the de facto RB1. Alejandro Villanueva is starting in place of Stanley at LT. Mekari was starting in place of Villanueva at RT, but his injury has forced Tyre Phillips into action. Now, there’s a chance Phillips might not play this week.
Anthony Averett and Chris Westry are the team’s two starting cornerbacks. Westry was on the roster bubble entering the year. Third-round rookie Brandon Stephens is starting for Elliott at free safety. Again, I could go on. The point is, injuries have absolutely decimated this roster.
Takeaway: Justin will get into it more here shortly, but with all these injuries that have taken place, where Green Bay may really be able to take advantage is in the Ravens’ secondary. All four of the Ravens’ Week 1 starters in the secondary are now out of Sunday’s game. Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, and DeShon Elliot are on IR, while Chuck Clark was just placed on the reserve/COVID list.
If you’re familiar with my work, then you know I’m a big proponent of Green Bay running the ball, but this week, I won’t be surprised to see Aaron Rodgers and this offense trying to throw the ball all over the yard against this depleted secondary.