In an injury-riddled season, the one thing Baltimore simply could not afford was a hampered Lamar Jackson. Well, it probably shouldn’t have been surprising, but they’ve got one now. Jackson suffered a low-ankle sprain in Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns, and his status remains up in the air for this weekend’s bout with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. As the top seed in the NFC, the Packers pose a formidable threat, one that might seem unbeatable for this team.
Rashod Bateman doesn’t believe so; he feels Tyler Huntley will be fine if he’s given the keys to the offense:
Rashod Bateman says Tyler Huntley has proven the Ravens aren’t just a “one-man show. We’re a team.”
Sidenote: Lamar Jackson has always said it’s not all about him.
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) December 15, 2021
In my eyes, the Ravens have their backup QB of the future. Make no mistake, there’s no controversy looming, but Huntley is 1-1 in games that he played large portions of, and nearly led a massive comeback on the road against a divisional opponent. If the defense holds up on Sunday afternoon, he’ll give the team a chance. I have no doubt that Bateman is right in his assessment of the former Utah signal caller.
On a lighter note, Bateman also hit the nail on the head with his Christmas presents:
"She loves it. Christmas for her is done." @R_bateman2 on buying his mom a car 😂 pic.twitter.com/tVomPSkkvx
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 15, 2021
It’s always fun hearing what rookie players do for their families with the first NFL contract, and Bateman was certainly in the giving spirit with his. Much respect to the first-year.
In all seriousness though, it remains unclear whether Jackson will lead Greg Roman’s unit this weekend, as John Harbaugh noted that Freaky-L is day-to-day with the injury.
"It's day to day." Coach Harbaugh on Lamar Jackson pic.twitter.com/YqRE0R18Wr
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 15, 2021
To have their best chance, the Ravens will need Lamar. But to put him at further risk, against a Super Bowl favorite, no less, seems unwise to me. Baltimore – Jackson himself, too – have not been at their best lately, so if there is risk of further injury and a prolonged absence, the Ravens should opt for Huntley.
This may have been on their mind already, as Harbaugh also announced that the team signed QB Josh Johnson from the NYJ Practice Squad. The journeyman is no stranger to Baltimore, where he spent the 2016 preseason and performed well. I like the signing, even if Jackson is good to go. With COVID and other illnesses on the rise, having a capable 3rd QB is necessary, and Johnson fits the bill.
While Jackson’s absences and recent performances may limit him from this, Pro Bowl voting is in full swing, and one Raven in particular will be itching to have his name selected. Guard Kevin Zeitler, despite a strong career, has actually never been to the Pro Bowl:
#RavensFlock FOR THE LOVE OF GOD LETS GET HIM THERE!#ProBowlVote @kzeit70 #ProBowlVote Kevin Zeitler pic.twitter.com/bKBBLtqjVb
— cappin (@garbagerogue) December 16, 2021
This year, even in the midst of a sub-par offensive line, Zeitler may be especially worthy of the call.
Kevin Zeitler has been a brick wall this season.
558 pass blocking snaps
ZERO sacks allowed
ZERO hits allowedNo other player with 250+ pass blocking snaps has allowed 0 in each of those categories. pic.twitter.com/dufCSacnvH
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 14, 2021
As we know, Pro Bowl voting can be a popularity contest that doesn’t always encapsulate a player’s real yearly performance, but I’d like to think O-Line is one of the positions in which stats do come into play. If so, whose are better than Zeitler’s?
I’d love to see the man get there.
Another new player in the running is Devin Duvernay, who has excelled in the return game in 2021. Though he hasn’t had a return for a TD yet, Duvernay leads the league in yards per punt return with 14.4, while sporting an impressive 24.2 yards per kick return. There are certainly other names – Tony Pollard and Ray-Ray McCloud come to mind – that will be in the running, but Duvernay may never have as good a chance as now.
He’ll have an opportunity to build his resume this week, against a Green Bay Special Teams unit that got gashed by the Chicago Bears on SNF. This tweet sums up what could very well keep Baltimore in the contest:
Preview of this Sunday #RavensFlock #MaddenNFL22 pic.twitter.com/bSbcD4Maht
— 𝙕𝙖𝙘𝙝🦦 (@NewEraZach_) December 15, 2021
At the end of the day, though, one man is likely to get the final say this weekend, and that’s QB Aaron Rodgers. Against a depleted Baltimore secondary, Rodgers could feast, and he did that against a relatively strong Bears defense last week:
Aaron Rodgers doesn’t see 4 defenders
Aaron Rodgers sees an open Allen Lazard pic.twitter.com/kQCIFcQzI3
— IKE Packers Podcast (@IKE_Packers) December 15, 2021
If he’s playing at a level that allows him to make these throws, imagine what he could do against the Ravens. Outside of the excitement for a rare Rodgers sighting at The Bank, I’m not looking forward to Sunday.
