Green Bay Packers at Baltimore Ravens: Five factors to watch

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports photograph

2.) Can Green Bay slow down Ray Rice?

Over the course of his career, Ray Rice has been one of the most productive running backs in the NFL. He is equally dangerous in the passing game as he is in the running back and is arguably the most complete running back in the NFL.

So far in 2013 Rice’s production is way down as he is 36th in the NFL in rushing with under 200 yards on the season. He did miss week three due to an injury and has been suffering from a number of nagging injuries early in the season.

Rice has had a bit of a fumble issue through four games as he has already lost two fumbles on the season, after not losing one all of last season.

Even with the improved run defense of the Packers, Rice is still a very good running back and will get 20-25 carries on Sunday. The biggest matchup the Packers will have to deal with is Rice on the Packers linebackers.

Jamari Lattimore is making is first career start Sunday and A.J. Hawk has always struggled in the pass coverage game. The weakest part of the Packers defense is the short passing game, a place where Rice excels, if the Packers can effectively shut down Rice in both parts of the game, they should be able to walk away with a win.