This feels like our college days all over again. At the time of this story’s construction, it’s Friday night. There are no parties, only anticipation. Another gameday is almost here. This time, however, is different. Our alma mater isn’t taking the field. It’s the Baltimore Ravens, staring down a moment that requires our undivided attention.
The stakes couldn’t be any clearer. What comes next will tell us who they are and where they are headed. If they win, the Week 18 finale will be played for a playoff spot.
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If they lose, the final game won’t matter. Standing in the way of destiny is a solid Green Bay Packers team with goals of its own.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh offers some theory on Packers QB Malik Willis.
Baltimore and Green Bay couldn’t be more different, yet, in many ways, they’re strikingly similar. Both franchises boast multiple Super Bowl titles and entered the season with championship expectations.
Both now face comparable adversity. If either is going to win, it may have to happen without its starting quarterback. Lamar Jackson is listed as doubtful, and wouldn’t you know it? Jordan Love is also out. That leaves each side preparing for an unlikely but expected quarterback duel between Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis.
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In the days leading up to the game, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh spoke about what he sees from Green Bay’s backup quarterback.
“We’ll have to prepare for their offense first. You have to get ready for the offense. They run the same offense [with] both quarterbacks. So, that’s where we’re kind of working, but we understand that the way Malik plays; we understand the way [Jordan] Love plays. So, with that in mind, our guys, whichever quarterback’s out there, we’ll know who the quarterback is and how they play. But Malik has done a great job. I think he’s had a good year when he’s played. He’s very elusive back there. He throws a good ball. His timing and his mechanics have really looked good this year. So, he’s obviously a very dangerous quarterback. He looked good in this last game when he played. So, we’ll be very much very respectful of him or whoever’s back there playing quarterback.”
Baltimore hasn’t sounded any less confident in backup Tyler Huntley than they’d be in Lamar Jackson with the game approaching. Huntley exudes confidence. Frankly, we wouldn’t expect anything less. The last time he faced the Packers as Baltimore’s starter, he came within two points of beating the great Aaron Rodgers in a head-to-head QB duel for the ages.
But that was then, and this is now. Sunday won’t be about star power or quarterback contracts. It will be about preparation, belief, and which locker room handles the unexpected better.
Baltimore and Green Bay may have arrived here by taking different routes, but the challenge for both sides remains the same. When the lights come on, someone has to prove that ‘next man up’ is more than a slogan. Tyler Huntley doesn’t need to be Lamar Jackson. He needs to be himself. The troops will most certainly follow him.
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This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: John Harbaugh offers preliminary evaluation of Packers QB Malik Willis