The stakes are high in Lambeau on Monday night for the Packers and the Ravens. Both teams are coming off wins and fighting for a wildcard spot in their respective conferences. While Baltimore hasn’t had back-to-back wins since Week 3, the Packers have won 3 in a row and are jelling in the home stretch. But only one team will move towards a playoff berth in Green Bay.
Ravens on Offense
I don’t want to hear Joe Flacco and “sophomore slump” in the same sentence. After becoming the only rookie QB to win 2 playoff games, Flacco is showing poise and solid game-management abilities this season. In the past 5 games, however, he has only thrown for 2 TDs. This is partly due to his receiver’s low production and more run-friendly play calling. Besides for Derrick Mason showing up occasionally, the Raven receiving corps hasn’t done much to prove that they can get the best of guys like FS Nick Collins and CB Charles Woodson. Flacco should dump it off to Todd Heap when faced with pressure from a balanced pass rush led by Cullen Jenkins and Clay Matthews. He’ll also have to count on Ray Rice both on the ground and in the air. Flacco aside, Rice is easily Baltimore’s MVP- he has 100+ yards from scrimmage in 8 consecutive games and he leads all NFL backs with 582 receiving yards. Rice’s efficient running and catching out of the backfield will test Green Bay’s tacklers (4th in rush yards allowed per game). But the Ravens shouldn’t forget the seldom-used McGahee, who can take pressure off Rice and help his team convert in short-yardage situations with his powerful running style.
Packers on Offense
I wonder where Aaron Rodgers would be with a decent line in front of him? The guy has been sacked 44 times this season, and still he’s managed to put up numbers Favre-like numbers- 22 TDs and 5 INTs. True, he may not have Favre’s arm strength, but the guy has intangibles you can’t coach, such as toughness and a knack for keeping plays alive. Rodgers’ supporting cast should thrive on Monday night, particularly Donald Driver and Greg Jennings, who have been on the receiving end of many big plays this season. Both Driver and Jennings are not especially big, but their ability to get open and their breakaway speed could present problems for the Raven secondary. The Packers have a number of playmakers Baltimore has to account for- from backup receiver James Jones to tight-end and red zone specialist Spencer Havner. The Ravens’ effectiveness on defense will rely heavily on the health of Captain Ed Reed, who has missed practice this week with an ankle and hip injury. Baltimore’s front 7 need to be assertive and tenacious in order to stop Ryan Grant. Expect solid contributions from the Packer workhorse, who will make his presence felt in Lambeau and take some pressure off his buddy A.R.
Baltimore needs to convert more in the red zone if they want to keep up with the Packers offensively. But ultimately, Rodgers and his guys will pressure the injury-plagued Ravens and pull off enough big plays at home.
Prediction
Green Bay 31
Baltimore 23
