The Packers tied up a playoff spot on Christmas night time due to the rival Lions’ loss, however coach Matt LaFleur’s membership can attempt to enhance their NFC North hopes and extinguish the Ravens’ shot at crashing the AFC subject when Baltimore visits Inexperienced Bay in prime time Saturday night time.
The Ravens (7-8) fumbled an opportunity to set the stage for a winner-take-all AFC North finale subsequent week at Pittsburgh. The Packers (9-5-1), largely with out Love as a consequence of a concussion within the first half, fell off the tempo of the NFC North-leading Bears in Chicago final weekend in a gut-wrenching time beyond regulation loss.
LaFleur stated Inexperienced Bay is “shifting previous” the frustration of final week’s inconceivable loss and centered solely on the subsequent win.
“Our sole focus is on the Baltimore Ravens. And we have to discover a method to get a win. Backside line,” LaFleur stated.
Baltimore is more likely to take the sector with out two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, who sustained a again contusion Sunday and missed follow all week. He was listed as uncertain on the group’s last harm report Thursday.
Inexperienced Bay introduced Friday that beginning quarterback Jordan Love (concussion protocol, shoulder) will sit out Sunday.
Backup Malik Willis, who missed Wednesday’s follow (sickness) and was restricted on Tuesday and Thursday (shoulder), is anticipated to get the beginning.
“Malik Willis has been there for a 12 months or two now, and he is truly began video games for them,” Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr stated. “(Final week), the offense did not change. They had been nonetheless working play motion, taking their photographs down the sector. This offense is well-built.”
Tyler Huntley, who gained his solely begin of the season in opposition to the Bears in Week 8, would get the beginning if Jackson cannot play. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken was hopeful Jackson will heal up in time for Week 17. He stated the harm woes have been tough for Jackson.
“I am simply telling you. For a man that likes to play soccer and likes to be on the market along with his teammates, it has been arduous,” Monken stated. “It has been a wrestle. As a result of, like every participant, to have the ability to shine, you wish to really feel your greatest. Particularly with lower-body accidents. When Lamar has the ball in his arms, he is electrical. So I do know it has been actually tough for him.”
Willis performed nearly all of the 22-16 time beyond regulation loss to the Bears on Dec. 20. Love went out with a concussion after a helmet-to-helmet hit within the second quarter.
With Love and Jacobs, the Packers have been dynamic, main the NFL in explosive-play differential (plus-33) and tallying not less than 27 factors 9 instances (8-0-1).
Quarterback accidents as prevailing storylines is well-worn territory for the Ravens. Jackson left Baltimore’s Week 16 loss and has been restricted by ankle, toe, hamstring and shoulder accidents this season, inspiring a “Commerce Lamar” column from a longtime Baltimore columnist that put coach John Harbaugh again on the defensive. Within the column revealed within the Baltimore Solar, questions had been raised concerning the coach-QB relationship and the conclusion fashioned was the Ravens want to maneuver on from the two-time NFL MVP.
“Speculating how I really feel — I am going to let you know how I really feel. All the blokes on this constructing will inform ya … I am proper up entrance,” Harbaugh stated. “That may be flawed to say that. That is not true. Had an excellent dialog with Lamar this morning about a number of issues, soccer, how he is feeling. Our relationship is A-plus. I really like him. All the time have, all the time will. … I do not want anyone talking for me.”
Jackson has 2,311 passing yards with 18 touchdowns and 6 interceptions plus 340 yards with two scores dashing. Jackson has a cap determine of $74.5 million in 2026 and 2027, which might make him the highest-paid participant within the NFL each seasons.
With or with out Jackson on Saturday at Lambeau Discipline, the Ravens do not management their very own destiny. A win assures solely staying alive one other day with the Pittsburgh Steelers in place to clinch the division Sunday in Cleveland, which might bounce Baltimore from all playoff potentialities.
“We have got to win our sport first to provide ourselves an opportunity,” Ravens security Kyle Hamilton stated. “Now we have to play that manner, have to arrange that manner. We nonetheless have a chance.”
Packers working again Josh Jacobs has been preventing by means of knee ache however carries no sport designation into the weekend. The Packers solely dominated out linebacker Kristian Welch (ankle) and guard John Williams (again).
An sickness popped up Thursday for extensive receiver Christian Watson and guard Sean Rhyan, who’re thought-about questionable to play. Cornerback Bo Melton (sickness) didn’t take part all week; he is additionally questionable together with beginning proper deal with Zach Tom (again/knee) and security Evan Williams (knee).
The Ravens dominated out defensive deal with Taven Bryan (knee) and known as linebacker Jay Higgins IV (knee) questionable.
–Discipline Degree Media
