What to Watch for in Green Bay Packers v. Ravens
This week, the Green Bay Packers (10-3) are back on the road as they travel out for a clash against the AFC North leader, the Baltimore Ravens (8-5).
With a win Sunday, the Packers will clinch the NFC North Division title and a playoff spot for the third straight year under head coach Matt LeFleur.
Let’s take a look at three things to watch for on Sunday when the Green Bay Packers travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens.
Special teams.
The good news? It can’t get much worse.
The bad news? According to Football Outsiders, the Ravens come into Sunday’s matchup ranked number one in DVOA in the special team’s department while the Packers rank dead last.
I think this entirely goes without saying, but the Packers’ special teams unit must be better this week, especially against a thriving unit in Baltimore.
These are some of those flukey things that can and will change an outcome of a game, even if the Packers are favored on the road, especially with the question mark for Raven quarterback Lamar Jackson who is dealing with a low ankle sprain.
If you’re the Packers, don’t let the special teams lose you a game on the road in which you should win.
If Kenny Clark is unable to go, how do the Packers slow down the run game?
On Wednesday, news broke that Packers pro-bowl nose tackle and defensive captain Kenny Clark was placed on the Reserve/COVID 19 list, leaving his status in doubt.
The Ravens are a team that relies heavily on their rushing attack. Currently, the Ravens rank third in the NFL in rush yards per game, averaging 144.8.
Now, if Jackson cannot go, that would help alleviate the concern of stopping the run, as he has just shy of 800 rushing yards so far.
If, indeed, Clark is unable to play, watch for rookie tackle TJ Slaton to get an increase in snaps and a much more significant role for tackle Dean Lowry.
Will we see the Packers open up the passing game with a stout Ravens rush defense?
How will the Packers attack an excellent Ravens defense?
This game has a week 12 feeling to it when the Rams traveled to Green Bay along with their stingy rush defense, and the Packers struggled to run the ball and relied heavily on the arm of the reigning MVP.
Like the Rams, the Ravens are also excellent at stopping the run. Currently first in the NFL in rush yards allowed and fourth in rush yards per attempt.
Unfortunately, the Green Bay Packers are not the only team dealing with COVID-related issues and injuries. The Ravens are down their top two starting cornerbacks, who are on IR, and news breaking Thursday that the team placed their starting safety, Chuck Clark, on the reserve/COVID list.
With a stout run defense in Baltimore, and multiple key pieces missing from the Ravens’ secondary, watch for Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams to exploit an apparent weakness.
The Bottom Line
Plain and simple, with our without Lamar Jackson, the Packers are the better team over the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have been a bit of a roller coaster this season and are dealing with their own critical injuries at key positions. The Packers will clinch the NFC North division for the third straight year with a win Sunday.
The recipe for the Green Bay Packers is a little different this week—with so many critical injuries in the Ravens’ secondary, quarterback Aaron Rodgers needs to have an MVP-type of day. Running the ball won’t be easy, especially with a bang-up offensive line for the Packers, which is why Rodgers needs to go off.