Saturday night at Lambeau Field promises a high-stakes showdown as the Baltimore Ravens face the Green Bay Packers in a Week 17 clash that could define both teams’ seasons. For Baltimore, the scenario is as clear as it gets: win, and the playoff dream lives on; lose, and the postseason door slams shut, handing the AFC North title to the Pittsburgh Steelers without them even taking the field. The Packers, meanwhile, have already punched their ticket to the playoffs but are still eyeing the NFC North crown, needing to win out and hope the Chicago Bears falter.
The drama is heightened by the absence of both teams’ starting quarterbacks. The Ravens announced on December 27, 2025, that Lamar Jackson will not suit up due to a back injury suffered in last week’s loss to the New England Patriots. Jackson, who did not practice all week, was officially listed as doubtful before being ruled out. That means Tyler Huntley, a familiar face in high-pressure situations, will get the nod for Baltimore.
Green Bay is in a similar bind. Jordan Love, their young signal-caller, has not cleared concussion protocol and will miss the game. Enter Malik Willis, a dynamic backup who now shoulders the responsibility of keeping the Packers’ division hopes alive. Both teams must now rely on their depth, adaptability, and grit as they navigate one of the season’s most pivotal matchups.
For Huntley, this isn’t uncharted territory. The 27-year-old quarterback has carved out a reputation as a reliable backup, ready to step in when the moment demands. Huntley’s journey began at the University of Utah, where he started three seasons, threw for 46 touchdowns, 20 interceptions, and added 16 rushing scores. Despite going undrafted in 2020, he signed with the Ravens and made his NFL debut later that season. His first start came in 2021 against the Chicago Bears, a game he won, setting the stage for future opportunities.
Since then, Huntley has bounced around the league, with stops in Cleveland and Miami, but always seemed to find his way back to Baltimore. He even earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2022, stepping in for Josh Allen, despite modest numbers—just two touchdown passes and three interceptions that year. In 2024, Huntley started five games for the Miami Dolphins, posting a 2-3 record and four total touchdowns before returning to the Ravens in 2025 for his third stint with the team.
This season, Huntley has stepped up when called upon. In Week 8, after Jackson suffered a hamstring injury and backup Cooper Rush struggled, Huntley started against the Chicago Bears. He delivered a season-saving performance, completing 17 of 22 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown, and rushing for 53 yards on eight attempts. Baltimore won that game 30-16, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Last week, Huntley again filled in for Jackson, completing 9 of 10 passes for 65 yards in relief against the Patriots. While the Ravens lost, Huntley’s efficiency as a game manager was evident.
This isn’t the first time Huntley has faced the Packers under the spotlight. The last regular season meeting between Baltimore and Green Bay saw Huntley start in place of Jackson. He was electric, throwing for 215 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 73 yards and two scores on the ground. Yet, it ended in heartbreak—a narrow 31-30 loss after Huntley’s two-point conversion attempt fell incomplete with just 42 seconds left. Now, he gets a shot at redemption in a game that means everything for the Ravens.
On the other side, the Packers enter the contest with a 9-5-1 record, already locked into the postseason but hungry for more. Head coach Matt LaFleur has kept Green Bay’s offense ticking despite injuries, relying on a structured attack and a strong running game. The return of Josh Jacobs without an injury designation bolsters their ground attack, while the defense remains a top-10 unit in red-zone efficiency. Lambeau Field in late December is no picnic for visiting teams, and the Packers’ 5-2 historical edge over Baltimore adds to their confidence.
With both teams missing their starting quarterbacks, expectations are for a slower, more conservative game. Betting experts have pegged the total at under 40.5 points, and the moneyline leans toward the Packers, given their home-field advantage and greater offensive line stability. For Baltimore, the game plan is clear: lean on running back Derrick Henry, control the clock, and limit turnovers. Huntley’s passing volume is expected to be modest, with player prop predictions setting his passing yards under 165.5. Henry, meanwhile, is the focal point of Baltimore’s red-zone offense, making him a prime candidate for an anytime touchdown.
Defensively, both squads excel in the red zone, which could mean long drives stalling out and field goals taking precedence over touchdowns. The cold, hostile environment at Lambeau only adds to the challenge for Huntley and the Ravens’ offense, while Green Bay’s defense will look to capitalize on any mistakes.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Baltimore. A win keeps them in the playoff hunt, but a loss would not only end their season but also hand the AFC North title to the Steelers. For Green Bay, a victory keeps the pressure on Chicago in the NFC North race, while a loss would solidify their Wild Card status. The game is also a test of depth and resilience, as both teams must adapt to life without their star quarterbacks.
As kickoff approaches, all eyes are on Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis. Can Huntley channel his past success against Green Bay and deliver when it matters most? Will the Packers’ structure and home-field advantage prove too much for a depleted Ravens squad? One thing’s for sure: with so much on the line, every snap at Lambeau will be charged with playoff intensity.
With the action set to unfold, fans and analysts alike are bracing for a tense, low-scoring battle shaped by quarterback uncertainty and playoff desperation. As the Ravens and Packers prepare to write another chapter in their rivalry, the outcome remains very much in the balance—and the road to the postseason runs straight through Green Bay.
