The Green Bay Packers and the Baltimore Ravens will hold a joint practice in Green Bay on Thursday. On Saturday, the teams will clash in the final week of the preseason.
To gain insight into the Ravens, I consulted a Ravens fan friend who is also a historian specializing in Baltimore’s history. He shared his thoughts on their training camp and its potential impact on the Packers. If you’re a Packers fan, consider letting any Ravens fans you know follow @pequenomesmo on Twitter/X.
On Thursday, Green Bay will face reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. Although Lamar missed the early part of the Ravens’ training camp due to the flu, he is now active in team drills. He will provide an elite test for Jeff Hafley’s defense, offering valuable preparation for facing a similar playing style in Jalen Hurts during Week 1 in Brazil.
Multi-time Pro Bowler and former Offensive Player of the Year Derrick Henry is now a Raven, joining Lamar Jackson in a backfield that is almost unfair to defenses. The Packers will need a solid plan—even if it’s just for practice—to stop Baltimore’s zone reads.
The last time the Packers faced Mark Andrews, he had 136 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Green Bay opened the 2024 preseason with solid tackling and coverage against Cleveland, but they struggled against Denver just a week ago. They need to regain their rhythm, and successfully defending against a player like Andrews would help them get back on track.
Green Bay’s offense struggled in joint practice with Denver last week, including two consecutive four-and-outs in two-minute drills. Baltimore’s defense features key players who will challenge the Packers’ offense. Marlon Humphrey, the team’s top cornerback, has already intercepted Lamar Jackson four times in three practices. He will be a significant test for Romeo Doubs, who will likely match up against him.
Odafe Oweh will test the Packers’ energy and intensity. John Harbaugh has previously asked Oweh to “take it easy” on a few plays during camp. Oweh has taken most first-team snaps in August and will challenge Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker. The Packers must be sharp to handle an energetic player like Oweh.
Ravens’ first-round pick Nate Wiggins leads the NFL with a 50% forced incompletion rate in the preseason. He will likely face Reed, Watson, or Wicks. A matchup between Wicks and Wiggins would be an intriguing clash between an elite route runner and a press corner.
Starting in Week 3 of the preseason, the Ravens have incorporated many deep balls into their camp plan. Lamar Jackson, Mark Andrews, Zay Flowers, and Isaiah Likely have each had standout plays. Green Bay will face a busy day against Baltimore’s tight ends. It’s a prime opportunity for rookies Javon Bullard and Evan Williams to showcase their skills against top NFL talent.
The Ravens boast one of the top rosters in the league from top to bottom. Facing such a talented squad is a strong way to conclude the Packers’ preseason before heading to Brazil.
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