Kevin Eck
Only Handful of Pundits Pick Ravens to Win in Green Bay
The Ravens have only one path to the playoffs. They need to beat the Green Bay Packers Saturday night at Lambeau Field, have the Pittsburgh Steelers lose to the Browns in Cleveland Sunday, and then beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh in the season finale.
An overwhelming majority of the pundits we sampled (47 of 53) don't think the Ravens (7-8) will be able to check off Step 1.
With quarterback Lamar Jackson (back contusion) doubtful to play, backup Tyler Huntley will likely be asked to save the season for the second time this year. It was more figurative back in Week 8 when Huntley led the Ravens to a win over the Chicago Bears that ended a five-game losing streak. It's literal this time.
The Packers have their own health issues at quarterback, as starter Jordan Love (left shoulder/concussion) and Malik Willis (right shoulder/illness) are both questionable.
Green Bay (9-5-1) still has something to play for despite clinching a playoff berth thanks to the Detroit Lions' loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas. They need to beat the Ravens to keep their hopes of overtaking the Bears (11-4) for the NFC North title alive. Green Bay will be locked into the seventh seed with a loss.
Here's what pundits are saying about the game:
There are two reasons to believe the Ravens can win.
Bleacher Reports Gary Davenport:"The first is that even if Lamar Jackson's ouchie back sidelines him (as Jordan Love's concussion all but certainly will), this analyst trusts Snoop Huntley more than Malik Willis in a high-stakes game. The second is that the stakes are that much higher for the Ravens. Add in a Green Bay defense that missed Micah Parsons badly, and the lone wolf has to howl."
The Ravens win on the road again to stay alive, but only temporarily.
The Baltimore Suns Sam Cohn:"My guess: Baltimore rallies from a twist-the-knife home loss to beat the Packers because the Ravens have proved capable of winning games a week or two after losing the ones they really needed; then Pittsburgh beats up on the Browns a day later to win the AFC North. Granted, the Ravens haven't beaten a team with a winning record since Week 8, when they toppled the Bears. They also haven't lost on the road since September."
Can't pick against the Packers at home in December.
CBS Sports John Breech:"Since Matt LaFleur took over the Packers' head coaching job in 2019, Green Bay has gone 11-1 in December home games. He does NOT lose on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. LaFleur is almost better than Santa at delivering in December."
The Ravens' disappointing loss to the New England Patriots last week will carry over.
Pro Football Talks Mike Florio:"I think a lot of air came out of the balloon when they blew the 11-point lead last week to the Patriots and it's going to be hard to pump it up again in six days."
The Packers will win even if neither Love nor Willis plays.
ESPNs Ben Solak via The Mina Kimes Show:"Even if [third-string quarterback] Clayton Tune plays one of [LaFleur's] strengths is the immunity to quarterback play a one-off, one-week game plan to make a random quarterback work."
Can the Ravens defense reverse a trend and show it's ready for prime time?
The Baltimore Banners Jonas Shaffer:"In Week 1, the Ravens allowed 41 points and 497 yards in a loss to the Bills. Two weeks later, they gave up 38 points and 426 yards in a loss to the Lions. The Ravens bounced back in Week 9, when they held the Miami Dolphins to six points and 332 yards, but Sunday night was another disaster. The New England Patriots finished with 28 points and 453 yards in their comeback win. Overall, in their four prime-time games, the Ravens have allowed 6.2 yards per play. The Cincinnati Bengals are allowing an NFL-worst 6.4 yards allowed per play overall this season."
The Baltimore Suns Josh Tolentino:"Expecting the Ravens' 27th-ranked defense, a unit that was walked down several times in the second half of last Sunday's loss by Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, to keep Baltimore afloat with everything on the brink seems too daunting of a task."
Jeff Zrebiec Says Marlon Humphrey's Status This Offseason Bears Watching
The Ravens have some tough roster decisions to make this offseason, andThe Athletics Jeff Zrebiecsaid four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey "will be at or near the top of the list."
"Humphrey turns 30 before 2026 training camp begins," Zrebiec wrote. "He still can create turnovers and is a physical tackler, but he's getting picked on more often with each passing week. He's due to make a base salary of $15.25 million next year, and that's obviously a lot of cash to dole out for a player who has shown signs of decline. It would likely have to be a post-June 1 situation, and there's always the option of a pay cut, but Humphrey's status bears watching."
Humphrey's three interceptions are tied with Nate Wiggins for most on the team, and his 11 passes defended are one behind Wiggins for the team lead.
Todd Monken Reportedly a Candidate for Michigan Head Coaching Job
Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken reportedly is a candidate for the Michigan head coaching job.
"Multiple sources, at both the collegiate and NFL levels, shared with FootballScoop Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night that Michigan had begun vetting current Baltimore Ravens Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken and intended to speak this week with Monken,"FootballScoops John Brice and Doug Samuels wrote.
Former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has emerged as the focus of Michigan's search,according to ESPNs Dan Wetzel and Pete Thamel.
Monken, who is in his third season with the Ravens, could also be sought after for an NFL head coaching job this offseason.Sports IllustratedandThe Ringerboth listed Monken among the top coaching candidates.
Kyle Hamilton, Jordan Stout Make Predicted to be All-Pro Selections
Sports Illustrateds Matt Verderamehas made his predictions for the All-Pro teams at each quarter of the season. In Verderame's latest installment, safety Kyle Hamilton and punter Jordan Stout made the first team.
"Hamilton does it all for the Ravens," Verderame wrote. "He's able to play in the box, in man coverage, or as a deep safety with 92 tackles, a sack and seven tackles for loss. Stout has been on the All-Pro team throughout the season, and there's no reason to change. Baltimore's boomer ranks first in net (44.3 yards) on 48 punts."
Earlier this week, Hamilton and Stout were among six Ravens named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster.
Malaki Starks Reveals Biggest Lesson He Learned in Rookie Season
First-round safety Malaki Starks entered the season with high expectations, and he said the biggest lesson he learned in his rookie year is that those expectations can be a detriment.
"The biggest piece of advice that someone told me that I wish I would have listened to was about expectations,"Starks told ESPNs Sarah Barshop. "No matter what round you go in, you're going to be a rookie. And what pick you're taken at doesn't change that.
"So be a rookie. Don't live up to unrealistic expectations. Don't be too hard on yourself, but still push yourself. Realize there's a balance. And just leave it all on the table. What people say and what people think doesn't matter; you just go out and play your best ball."
ESPNs Jamison Hensleysaid Starks has shown that the high expectations were warranted.
"He is one of three rookie defensive backs to record over 70 tackles and multiple interceptions this season. The Ravens have been impressed with his maturity and awareness," Hensley wrote.
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