Key Storylines to Watch in Week 17 Saturday Showdown
The Baltimore Ravens (7-8) travel to historic Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) in a pivotal Week 17 matchup on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, streaming exclusively on Peacock and NFL+.
Baltimore finds itself in must-win territory, sitting outside the playoff hunt after a rollercoaster season that started 1-5, surged with five straight wins, and has since faltered. A victory in Green Bay—combined with a Steelers loss to the Browns on Sunday—would keep their AFC North hopes alive for a winner-take-all finale in Week 18. A loss ends their campaign.
Green Bay, fresh off clinching a postseason berth thanks to Detroit’s Christmas Day defeat, aims to snap a two-game skid that included a heartbreaking overtime collapse against Chicago. The Packers have a slim shot at the NFC North crown if they win out and the Bears stumble, but a third consecutive defeat could saddle them with road playoff games.
Storyline 1: Can the Ravens Unleash Derrick Henry?
Lamar Jackson is listed as doubtful with a back contusion that kept him out of last week’s loss to New England. Whether it’s a limited Jackson or backup Tyler Huntley under center, Baltimore’s offense may lean heavily on Derrick Henry. The veteran back is cruising toward his seventh 1,000-yard season and gashed the Patriots for 128 yards and two touchdowns on just 18 carries. Yet, in a curious rotation with Keaton Mitchell, Henry saw zero touches in the game’s final 12 minutes.
Signed this offseason for exactly these cold-weather, grind-it-out scenarios, Henry could feast against a Packers run defense that surrendered a season-high 5.8 yards per carry last week in their first game without star edge rusher Micah Parsons.
Storyline 2: Packers Defense Needs New Heroes to Emerge
Green Bay’s defense held firm for most of their recent loss to Chicago, limiting points until a late meltdown in regulation and overtime. That contest marked their debut without Parsons, who suffered a torn ACL. Corner Keisean Nixon, a standout with a game-sealing interception in the teams’ earlier meeting, struggled with coverage swaps and got burned deep on the decisive score—he’ll need a strong rebound.
The unit could also use a boost from high-priced free agent Nate Hobbs, who hasn’t lived up to billing yet. Linebackers Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker provide stability in the middle, but the interior line has felt the absence of Devonte Wyatt (out for the season). The biggest void is in pass rush: Parsons accounted for far more pressures than anyone else, leaving Rashan Gary (7.5 sacks) as the lone consistent threat. Youngsters like Kingsley Enagbare, Lukas Van Ness, or Brenton Cox will need to step up and generate heat on the quarterback.
With injuries mounting on both sides and playoff implications hanging in the balance, this late-season clash in the frozen tundra promises drama and physicality.
