As is always the case during a Baltimore Ravens regular season, head coach John Harbaugh met with the media 48 hours before an important game. Each opportunity to take the field is a blessing. More often than not, we regurgitate familiar phrases about ‘how no one game is more important than another’. That isn’t the case this week. An asterisk has been placed next to the upcoming contest.

The game isn’t just ‘Title Town’ at hallowed Lambeau Field. It’s against the world-famous Green Bay Packers. To add more intrigue, the slim playoff hopes of the Ravens hinge on winning. Another road victory improves their mark to 5-2. Most importantly, it sets up a ‘win-and-in’ scenario vs. the hated Pittsburgh Steelers in the regular-season finale.

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While speaking with the media, Coach Harbaugh answered the question on everyone’s minds. It’s the same question we have all asked since the Ravens’ loss to the New England Patriots. What’s the mood and pulse of a desperate Ravens team?

“I think it’s been great. We had great enthusiasm [and] great energy. We were locked in, dialed in and focused on the gameplan in all three phases, starting with a special teams meeting. It’s been a great day.”

That’s the type of answer we all expected, but we all expect Baltimore’s coaching staff to say all of the right things when asked. What we’re more concerned about is whether or not what’s being said at the podium matches up with what we see on the playing field.

His tight end, Mark Andrews, shared the thoughts of much of the Ravens’ roster in his own words.

“So far this week, [there has] been a bunch of guys going to work and focusing on this week. [We are] controlling what we can control. That’s all you can do in life, and that’s what we’re doing.”

The stakes are well-known. We talk about ‘must-win’ games all of the time. This is truly a must-win. There’s no hope of qualifying for the postseason if a loss is posted.

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This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: John Harbaugh describes the Ravens’ mindset before a must-win game