The Green Bay Packers will host the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night in a matchup with significant playoff implications, but both teams face uncertainty at quarterback. Jordan Love has been ruled out due to a concussion, while Lamar Jackson is listed as doubtful with a back injury. Backup quarterbacks Malik Willis and potentially Tyler Huntley will take the field as the Packers aim to secure their NFC North position and the Ravens fight to keep their AFC North hopes alive.
The Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) clinched a playoff berth earlier this week after the Detroit Lions' elimination, but they still eye the NFC North title. Facing them on Saturday at Lambeau Field are the Baltimore Ravens, who must win their final two games and hope the Pittsburgh Steelers lose both to claim the AFC North. The game, set for 8 p.m. ET and streaming on Peacock, carries added drama due to injuries at the position most critical to both offenses.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love exited last week's overtime loss to the Chicago Bears with a concussion and has been officially ruled out. Backup Malik Willis, who relieved Love and completed 9 of 11 passes for 121 yards, one touchdown, and added 44 rushing yards, will make his first start of the season. Willis, questionable earlier with an illness and right shoulder injury, returned to limited practice on Thursday. Love ranks in the top 10 in expected points added per dropback (third), passing touchdown-to-interception ratio (fourth), and yards per attempt (ninth) this year.
For the Ravens, Lamar Jackson did not practice all week after suffering a back injury in the second quarter of last Sunday's 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots, where he left at halftime following an awkward slide. Listed as doubtful, Jackson's absence would mean Tyler Huntley starts; Huntley went 9-for-10 for 65 yards in relief last week and won his only start this season in Week 8 against the Bears. The two-time NFL MVP has struggled lately, throwing eight touchdowns against five interceptions over his last eight games and losing six starts for the first time in his career.
Green Bay enters as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 40.5, per DraftKings. The Packers blew a late lead against the Bears, allowing 400 yards, their most since Week 4. Baltimore also squandered a lead to the Patriots. Analysts project a low-scoring affair, with picks favoring Green Bay 23-17 or 24-17, citing the Packers' talent edge and discipline even with backups. A Ravens win keeps their division hopes alive; a loss could clinch the title for Pittsburgh if they beat Cleveland on Sunday.