NFL Football
2025-12-27 - Baltimore Ravens at Green Bay Packers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NFL Week 17
Saturday 27th December 2025 - Scheduled 8pm
1am (British Time)
Preview
After seeing Lamar Jackson go down with another injury and blowing a big lead in the eventual loss to the New England Patriots, the Baltimore Ravens (7-8) are on the brink of elimination. They can hold that off for at least twenty-four hours by winning this game, but Jackson is almost certainly missing out at Quarter Back and we have seen teams dial it in even before elimination has been confirmed.
Head Coach John Harbaugh is now on the hot seat and the Baltimore Ravens have to pick themselves up after the manner in which they were beaten last week being one that will hurt for a while.
The Quarter Back situation is an issue, but the Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) have a similar issue with Jordan Love ruled out and Malik Willis looking like he may need to play through the pain and illness.
Much like Baltimore, the Green Bay Packers have to be wondering how they were beaten in Week 16 at the Chicago Bears, a defeat that likely means needing to on a road run through the Playoff if they are going reach the Super Bowl. A post-season berth has been secured by the Packers, and there is an outside chance they could pip the Chicago Bears to the NFC North Division title, but the Packers may already be thinking ahead to the early part of the New Year when the Playoffs begin.
This could mean avoiding taking unnecessary risks with players and the Packers will need the backup Quarter Back to find a way to lead them to a win.
Malik Willis has shown he is a competent backup, but the issues at the end of the loss to the Bears and the illness he has been dealing with this week is a problem. He should have some spaces to attack against this Baltimore Ravens Secondary as long as Willis is operating close to full health, and the Green Bay Packers do have some quality Receivers who can step up.
Running the ball may be more challenging for the Packers and being in third and long spots will allow Baltimore to try and rattle Malik Willis through the pass rush they have been able to generate.
The Ravens game plan should be pretty straight-forward, although they have been hearing the criticism of the team from the Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots- for some reason Baltimore decided they would sit Derrick Henry when leading by double digits, rather than the obvious appeal of getting their workhorse Running Back to pound the rock and wear down the Patriots.
It would be negligent if Henry is not used in this one with the Ravens Offensive Line happier in running the ball and this Green Bay Defensive Line picking up injuries and finding it a little tougher to clamp down on the run. A backup Quarter Back should mean Baltimore will want to lean on the run game, while Tyler Huntley is capable of moving the ball with his legs if he needs to do that.
Micah Parsons is missing for Green Bay, and that means the pass rush has slowed down, which can only be a positive for Huntley.
That lack of pressure has seen some big holes open up in the Green Bay Secondary and Tyler Huntley should be able to make enough plays to keep the Ravens competitive.
Having more than a Field Goal worth of points looks appealing enough, although it should be noted that Baltimore's intensity in this game is harder to factor with elimination potentially confirmed this weekend. Injuries on both sides of the ball have really hurt the Ravens, but Green Bay have problems at Quarter Back and that can see the road team keep this close, even if Playoff hopes fade as the game concludes.
Prediction
Take the points with the road underdog.
The Pick :
Green Bay Packers 23-20 Baltimore Ravens
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Baltimore Ravens + 3.5 Points at -105 with Bovada
