For the first time in eight years, the Packers travel to Baltimore to take on John Harbaugh and the perennial-contending Ravens. They'll also potentially face yet another quarterback they've never played before in Lamar Jackson. In games against passers they've never faced (Cincinnati, Chicago, Washington, Arizona), the Packers are a perfect 4-0 this season.
Despite both being playoff-bound, the Packers and Ravens are in totally different situations when it comes to securing their respective divisions. While the Packers can clinch an NFC North title this week with a win or a Vikings loss, it will likely take the Ravens until the final week of the regular season to potentially lock up the highly-competitive AFC North.
On Offense
Aaron Rodgers' emergence as a late-season MVP candidate validates the success the Packers have had on offense over the past month. The passing game has finally started clicking - and it comes at an opportune time: the Ravens' pass defense is second-worst in the NFL, allowing over 260 yards in the air per game. In fact, its defense as a whole hasn't been great in 2021, despite early-round investments in Patrick Queen and Jayson Oweh.
What could spoil Green Bay's productivity on offense this Sunday is the health of the offensive line, where they're currently missing their top four linemen (David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers and Billy Turner). However, the unit has proven to rise to the challenge in just about every situation this season, including in tough games against San Francisco, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. If Bakhtiari can't go, all eyes will be on tackle Yosh Nijman to protect Rodgers' blindside against DE Calais Campbell and OLB Justin Houston.
On Defense
After spraining his ankle last week against Cleveland, Jackson is said to be a game-time decision. If Jackson can't go, the Packers will get Tyler Huntley who - despite leading Baltimore to a road win over the Bears in Week 11 and keeping things close last week in Cleveland - is no where near the multi-dimensional threat of Jackson. Don't hold your breath, though: Jackson has never missed a game due to injury in four seasons as a pro.
Whether Jackson suits up or not, Baltimore's offense has other plenty of other talent that defensive coordinator Joe Barry must account for. Ravens tight end Mark Andrews has been arguably the best in the game this season, finding pay dirt six times already. It's no surprise that Baltimore's five losses have come in games where Jackson and offensive coordinator Greg Roman have failed to get Andrews involved.
In addition to Andrews, the Packers' secondary will have their hands full with former first-round picks Hollywood Brown, Rashod Bateman and Sammy Watkins. Facing such a deep wide receiver corps, the availability of star cornerback Jaire Alexander - who hasn't played since Week 4 - could play an important role in Green Bay's ability to slow Baltimore's passing attack.
PackerDay Prediction: Packers 33 Ravens 17
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