The Baltimore Ravens can’t take a win in Green Bay for granted

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens throws in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens throws in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

For the Baltimore Ravens (or any team for that matter) playing Brett Hundley at Lambeau Field is a lot easier than playing Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau field. It doesn’t mean a win is promised:

The Green Bay Packers achieved something without Aaron Rodgers that the Baltimore Ravens failed to achieve this season. The Packers beat the Chicago Bears at home. Beating the Bears doesn’t exactly make the Packers intimidating, but it is an eye opener. John Harbaugh must have his team prepared for a battle.

The Packers had lost three straight contests after losing their quarterback for the season. The win proves that the Packers aren’t a hapless team without their elite passer. Nick Perry has seven sacks on the season for the Packers and their defensive front could prove to be problematic for the Ravens. The Packers defense hasn’t been overly impressive this season but it is capable of having a great game.

The Packers put up 23 points against the Bears. The Ravens have scored less than 20 points four times this season. The Packers put up 17 points in both their losses to the New Orleans Saints and the Detroit Lions. The Ravens have failed to put up 17 points three times this season. The Ravens shouldn’t have to score a lot of points to beat this hampered version of the Packers, but the point is that the Packers don’t have to score much to beat the Ravens.

More from Ebony Bird

Baltimore plays like a different team on a weekly basis. Following their domination of the Oakland Raiders, the Ravens lost at home to the Bears. Following the 40-0 win against the Dolphins, the purple and black stumbled against the Tennessee Titans. If the good version of the Ravens shows up they can win the game, but we’ve been saying that all season.

The Ravens are playing on the road, in a venue that isn’t very forgiving to visiting teams. Lambeau Field is one of the hallowed places in the history of the game. The fans in Green Bay are as passionate as they come. There is no reason to think that this game will be a cake walk. When you add the Ravens inconsistency to the fact that the Packers aren’t just going to roll over for the Ravens, you have a game that the Ravens could lose.

The Bottom Line:

A Ravens win should be expected. It just isn’t a given. The Ravens have to bring their A game against the Packers. Without Rodgers the Packers are not contenders. It still seems however that even on their worst day, the Packers’ offense has more going for it than that of the Ravens.

Next: What needs to happen a Ravens playoff run

The defense should have its way with the Packers. The problem is that if this becomes a battle of struggling offenses, the Packers have a shot. The Ravens offense has to do enough to get a win on the road. 20 points should win this thing. Let’s see what Ravens team shows up.