Packers vs. Ravens: Three things to watch in Week 11

Three things to watch in the Green Bay Packers’ Week 11 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.

Green Bay earned its first victory since losing Aaron Rodgers to a broken collarbone, last week against the Chicago Bears, 23-16.

The Packers will look to bring that momentum back to Lambeau Field as they welcome the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

According to the team’s official site, the Packers are 4-1 all-time against the Ravens and have never lost to Sunday’s opponents at Lambeau.

The Ravens are coming off a 23-20 loss against the Tennessee Titans. Baltimore has lost three of its last four games, but at 4-5, remains in the playoff hunt. This matchup is crucial and both teams need this victory to keep their season alive.

Here are my three things to watch.

Jamaal Williams

More injuries means another opportunity for a young player on the Packers roster to make a name for himself. This week it’s Jamaal Williams.

The fourth-round pick wcould start on Sunday after Aaron Jones and Ty Montgomery both suffered injuries in last week’s game against the Bears. 

Jones was carted off the field and an MRI earlier this week revealed he suffered a sprained MCL and will likely be out 3-6 weeks, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

As for Montgomery, his status is unknown after re-injuring his ribs.

Williams accumulated 67 yards on 20 carries against the Bears. He showed off his strength and ability to plow through opposing defenders several times.

The former BYU Cougar has a great opportunity to earn playing time even when everyone is healthy.

Williams brings a physical dynamic that the Packers don’t have with Jones or Montgomery, but he doesn’t have the breakaway speed after contact.

The potential one-two punch with Williams and another running back is very exciting and should be featured heavily, especially without Rodgers.

Brett Hundley’s hamstring

Could the Packers look to their third-string quarterback against the Ravens? It is very unlikely, but there was some concern.

Hundley suffered a hamstring injury late against the Bears while scrambling for a first down, but did not miss a single snap.

"“That was about the slowest I’ve ever ran in my life,” Hundley said, via Packers.com. “Hopefully I won’t have to do that again.”"

Head coach Mike McCarthy addressed the media on Wednesday and announced Hundley would be a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, which is extremely positive.

Unless Hundley has a major setback, he will be making his fourth consecutive start.

Hundley’s last start, against the Bears, was easily his most impressive since taking over. He completed 18 of 25 passes for 212 and tossed his first touchdown pass since Week 6 against the Vikings. 

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His 212 yards, 72 percent completion percentage and 110.7 quarterback rating were all career highs for the former UCLA Bruin.

It is evident Hundley is starting to feel more comfortable under center and building a relationship with his wide receivers, specifically Davante Adams. Adams caught five passes for 90 yards and a touchdown against the Bears.

McCarthy needs to continue to gain trust with Hundley and let him make plays with his arm like he did last week, if the Packers want to turn their season around.

Packers defense vs. Ravens offense 

Flacco and company have struggled the entire season to get things going. The Ravens are ranked 30th in the NFL with 2,579 total offensive yards.

They are last in the league in net passing yards, only compiling 1,491. But, this game against a poor Packers secondary could be exactly what the Ravens need to spark their season.

Baltimore’s production on offense has come from its rushing attack.

Alex Collins, former Arkansas Razorback, leads the team with 521 yards on 93 carries, but has yet to find the end zone. He has produced four 20-plus rushes and ran for over 100 yards once this season.

Javorius Allen and Terrance West make up the rest of the Ravens’ rushing production combining  for 515 yards and three touchdowns.

Luckily for Green Bay, they have had much more success stopping the run compared to the pass attack. Green Bay’s latest defensive performance was one of their more encouraging games, being able to make stops and sack the quarterback. They held Jordan Howard to just 54 yards rushing.

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Although injuries on defense are still a concern, Flacco doesn’t present the threat he once did and that will play in favor of the Packers.