You’d be forgiven if you thought the Green Bay Packers’ Saturday night loss to the Baltimore Ravens was a repeat of the 2019 NFC Championship game.

Derrick Henry played the role of Raheem Mostert, racking up 216 rushing yards on 36 carries and crossing the end zone four times. It’s the most rushing yards by an opponent at Lambeau Field, and the performance highlighted several Hall of Fame-level statistics for Henry.

With Lamar Jackson sidelined, everyone knew the Ravens would try to run the ball. And yet, Green Bay had no answers to that conspicuous game plan.

Lukas Van Ness was the lone bright spot on defense. The former first-round pick played with technique and effort that his teammates didn’t, and he was perhaps the only player to make impact plays against Henry.

It’s been a rough ride for Van Ness, who looked like a breakout star in camp and the early season but had his production limited thanks to a Week 6 foot injury. Van Ness is starting to look comfortable again and has been one of the defense’s most productive players over the past two games.

Lukas Van Ness (#90) had one of the best games of his career last night on an otherwise brutal outing for the Packers defense. https://t.co/BMzq7gCn4A pic.twitter.com/yIfHN9GZBO

— Daire Carragher (@DaireCarragher) December 28, 2025

That’s good, because Green Bay’s defensive line has been abysmal without Micah Parsons. If they are going to have any hope of extending their season past the Wild Card round, they’ll need the former Hawkeye to step up.

Lukas Van Ness looked ready to break out in Year 3 thanks to a better understanding of the scheme and the trade for Parsons. Not only did Parsons’ presence mean more one-on-one opportunities for Van Ness, but Parsons took the former first-rounder under his wing. Parsons is a huge believer in Van Ness, who received a social media shout-out thanks to his excellent play against Baltimore.

Luke Van ness ! Speed to power is unmatched!!

— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) December 28, 2025

Van Ness played his best football with Parsons in the mix, becoming more efficient on a snap-by-snap basis and evolving as a run stopper. But between Van Ness’ initial injury, Parsons’ season-ending one, and the rotation of other defensive ends, the duo didn’t get much time together.

With Parsons out, the defensive line has been terrible. It’s hard enough to cover for Parsons and Devonte Wyatt being out, but no one is really standing out in a good way beyond Van Ness.

It’s a shame to say, but Rashan Gary has been highly underwhelming this season, even when Parsons was available. Against the Ravens, Gary played the third-most snaps at defensive end (45%), behind Kingsley Enagbare (79%) and Van Ness (62%).

Gary’s snap count is concerning, and he’s been less effective than Enagbare and Van Ness despite the occasional good play. Enagbare has had his fair share of good plays, enough where the Packers may consider re-signing him, but Van Ness has been the most efficient defensive end lately.

The sack numbers aren’t there, but Van Ness has been productive as both a pass-rusher and run-stopper the past two games.

Against the Chicago Bears, Van Ness was PFF’s third-highest graded defender (69.9) with three pressures.

Against Baltimore, he was, unsurprisingly, the highest-graded defender (80.6) with three pressures, a QB hit, and five stops against the run. It felt like those stops were the only time Green Bay stopped the run.

Ended up being a really good night for Lukas Van Ness. Three pressures, team-high five run stops, per PFF.

Jordan Morgan graded out well, too. Only allowed only pressure, a hurry. Highest graded run blocker on OL.

— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) December 28, 2025

Van Ness made his presence known at crucial moments, despite the final score. He caused a third-down stop, forced a red-zone incompletion, and was one of the few who could bring down Henry. While the rest of the defense sleepwalked, Van Ness was wide awake and played perhaps his best complete game.

Green Bay’s defensive performance doesn’t inspire hope for a postseason run. Without Parsons, the pass rush isn’t getting home, the depleted defensive line struggles to stop the run, and the cornerbacks are exposed. Jeff Hafley is a phenomenal coordinator and showed some creativity sans Parsons, but he can only scheme so much.

The Packers need players to step up to have a chance of winning the Super Bowl. In the most likely scenario on Wild Card Weekend, they will head to Soldier Field for Round 3 against the Bears. Chicago is playing well, and the previous matchup was physical and chippy. Caleb Williams is slippery and starting to play at a higher level.

Now that he appears fully healthy and playing comfortably, it’s time to see if Lukas Van Ness can be “the guy.” The Packers will soon need to decide on Van Ness’ fifth-year option. Sunday’s final regular-season game doesn’t matter much, and Matt LaFleur will likely sit out several starters. But there’s an opportunity for Van Ness to create highlights in the playoffs, and Green Bay will need them to keep any hope for this season alive.