The Packers tied up a playoff spot on Christmas night thanks to the rival Lions’ loss, but coach Matt LaFleur’s club can try to improve their NFC North hopes and extinguish the Ravens’ shot at crashing the AFC field when Baltimore visits Green Bay in prime time Saturday night.
The Ravens (7-8) fumbled a chance to set the stage for a winner-take-all AFC North finale next week at Pittsburgh. The Packers (9-5-1), largely without Love due to a concussion in the first half, fell off the pace of the NFC North-leading Bears in Chicago last weekend in a gut-wrenching overtime loss.
LaFleur said Green Bay is “moving past” the disappointment of last week’s improbable loss and focused only on the next win.
“Our sole focus is on the Baltimore Ravens. And we’ve got to find a way to get a win. Bottom line,” LaFleur said.
Baltimore is likely to take the field without two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, who sustained a back contusion Sunday and missed practice all week. He was listed as doubtful on the team’s final injury report Thursday.
Green Bay announced Friday that starting quarterback Jordan Love (concussion protocol, shoulder) will sit out Sunday.
Backup Malik Willis, who missed Wednesday’s practice (illness) and was limited on Tuesday and Thursday (shoulder), is expected to get the start.
“Malik Willis has been there for a year or two now, and he’s actually started games for them,” Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. “(Last week), the offense didn’t change. They were still running play action, taking their shots down the field. This offense is well-built.”
Tyler Huntley, who won his only start of the season against the Bears in Week 8, would get the start if Jackson can’t play. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken was hopeful Jackson will heal up in time for Week 17. He said the injury woes have been difficult for Jackson.
“I’m just telling you. For a guy that loves to play football and loves to be out there with his teammates, it’s been hard,” Monken said. “It’s been a struggle. Because, like any player, to be able to shine, you want to feel your best. Especially with lower-body injuries. When Lamar has the ball in his hands, he’s electric. So I know it’s been really difficult for him.”
Willis played the majority of the 22-16 overtime loss to the Bears on Dec. 20. Love went out with a concussion after a helmet-to-helmet hit in the second quarter.
With Love and Jacobs, the Packers have been dynamic, leading the NFL in explosive-play differential (plus-33) and tallying at least 27 points nine times (8-0-1).
Quarterback injuries as prevailing storylines is well-worn territory for the Ravens. Jackson left Baltimore’s Week 16 loss and has been limited by ankle, toe, hamstring and shoulder injuries this season, inspiring a “Trade Lamar” column from a longtime Baltimore columnist that put coach John Harbaugh back on the defensive. In the column published in the Baltimore Sun, questions were raised about the coach-QB relationship and the conclusion formed was the Ravens need to move on from the two-time NFL MVP.
“Speculating how I feel — I’ll tell you how I feel. All the guys in this building will tell ya … I’m right up front,” Harbaugh said. “That would be wrong to say that. That’s not true. Had a good conversation with Lamar this morning about a few things, football, how he’s feeling. Our relationship is A-plus. I love him. Always have, always will. … I don’t need anybody speaking for me.”
Jackson has 2,311 passing yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions plus 340 yards with two scores rushing. Jackson has a cap figure of $74.5 million in 2026 and 2027, which would make him the highest-paid player in the NFL both seasons.
With or without Jackson on Saturday at Lambeau Field, the Ravens don’t control their own fate. A win assures only staying alive another day with the Pittsburgh Steelers in position to clinch the division Sunday in Cleveland, which would bounce Baltimore from all playoff possibilities.
“We’ve got to win our game first to give ourselves a chance,” Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said. “We have to play that way, have to prepare that way. We still have an opportunity.”
Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been fighting through knee pain but carries no game designation into the weekend. The Packers only ruled out linebacker Kristian Welch (ankle) and guard John Williams (back).
An illness popped up Thursday for wide receiver Christian Watson and guard Sean Rhyan, who are considered questionable to play. Cornerback Bo Melton (illness) did not participate all week; he’s also questionable along with starting right tackle Zach Tom (back/knee) and safety Evan Williams (knee).
The Ravens ruled out defensive tackle Taven Bryan (knee) and called linebacker Jay Higgins IV (knee) questionable.
–Field Level Media
