The Green Bay Packers finally got back in the win column this past Sunday in the Windy City against the Chicago Bears. Quarterback Brett Hundley secured the first victory of his young career in his third start. The Baltimore Ravens are coming off a week 10 bye that their club desperately needed. The Ravens have been inconsistent at best this season with their most recent loss coming before the bye to the Tennessee Titans. Suddenly with a bit of momentum, the Packers travel to Baltimore where both teams hope to keep their playoff hopes alive. This week 11 matchup should wind up being a close affair in the Packers rare meeting against the Ravens at Lambeau Field.
History of the Matchup: Green Bay Packers Rare Meeting with Baltimore Ravens
Early History
The Cleveland Browns relocated to Baltimore and became the Ravens in 1999. Since their inception the Ravens have been one of the most consistent franchises in the NFL. They have made 10 playoff appearances in 20 years, securing two Super Bowl victories over that span. The Packers have had two Hall of Fame quarterbacks under center since 1999 in Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers but have only brought one Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown. In this week’s game it will be Joe Flacco facing off against the unheralded Hundley in a pivotal week 11 matchup.
The Ravens are one of the youngest franchises in the NFL, therefore they have only faced the Packers a handful of times. These teams first met in 1998 when the legendary Favre faced off against now coach of the Michigan Wolverines Jim Harbaugh. The Packers would win that game handedly as they have in most meetings since. The Packers lead the series 4-1 with the sole Ravens victory coming in a 48-3 in 2005. They are also undefeated against the Ravens at Lambeau Field, winning all three games played there. The Packers will look to extend that streak by winning at Lambeau on Sunday.
Most Pivotal Victory
The last time these two teams played was in 2013. The game took place in Baltimore and had the closest margin of victory in the series thus far. Each team came into the game looking for an early season run. Both teams were coming off wins in week five. The Packers became the team able to carry that momentum the game against the Ravens.
Defensive Battle Early
The Packers fired out of the gates early. After running back Eddie Lacy covered 47 yards on the ground on the game’s first two plays, the Packers had to settle for a field goal. The Ravens went three-and-out on their first possession due to a sack by A.J. Hawk on third down, the first of three sacks the veteran linebacker would gather on the day. This marked the first of nine consecutive punts over the next quarter and a half. The final one was blocked by the Packers but the typically reliable John Kuhn couldn’t corral the ball and the Ravens recovered on a bizarre play.
The Ravens made it to the Packers one-yard line on the extended drive. Defensive tackle Mike Daniels stonewalled running back Bernard Pierce on fourth down to keep the Ravens scoreless. The Packers went three and out on the ensuing possession as their defense continued to be the stronger unit all day. After the Packers missed a field goal with just over 20 seconds remaining in the first half, the Ravens attempted to put some points on the board. Nick Perry wouldn’t have it. The outside linebacker came off the edge and stripped Flacco. The Packers recovered and made a 31-yard field goal attempt as time expired in the first half.
Ravens Keep Fighting in Second Half
Defenses continued their duties in the second half, but both teams began moving the ball. Each team put three on the board to make the score 9-3. The Packers were finally able to get their big-play offense in action with one of their favorite calls. Midway through the third, Rodgers faked a hand-off to Lacy, rolled out, and found an open Jordy Nelson on a deep post for a 64-yard score.
The offense for the Ravens finally came alive down 16-3. Flacco orchestrated a ten-play drive that culminated in an 11-yard touchdown strike to Jacoby Jones. The Packers retaliated by killing seven minutes of clock before settling for Mason Crosby‘s fourth made field goal of the day. Just when it seamed the Packers had sealed the victory, the Ravens stormed back again.
Several long completions down the field put Flacco back in the redzone with just over two minutes remaining. He then found Dallas Clark for an 18-yard score to bring the game within three. After two runs the Packers faced a third and three with 1:53 remaining on the clock. Rodgers threw a beautiful pass on a quick slant over the middle and tight end Jermichael Finley rumbled for 52 yards. Lacy then salted the game away, picking up the final first down en route to 120 yards on the ground. The Packers will be hoping for another dominant effort by the defense and on the ground in this week’s meeting with the Ravens.
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