Packers at Ravens
Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday, August 15th, 2019, at 7:30 PM
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
Betting Odds: BAL -4 via Oddsshark
Network: WBAL, WTMJ
Green Bay Packers
First Look at Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers sat out the first game against the Texans, but we should see him in action this week. I want to see how Rodgers is looking in this new offense under head coach Matt LaFleur. It will also be the first time we see the Packers in their three-receiver sets with Davante Adams, Geronimo Allison, and Marques Valdez-Scantling. It should be interesting to see if Allison or MVS can step up as a legitimate number two option behind Adams.
Backup Running Back
Jamaal Williams came into training camp trying to carve out playing time from starter Aaron Jones. Unfortunately, Williams has missed a lot of time with a hamstring injury and hasn’t made up any ground on Jones. This has given rookie Dexter Williams a chance to eat into the backup role. Reports have said that the rookie has struggled to catch passes in camp recently. Dexter Williams started and played well in the first preseason game. He needs to keep that up if he wants a legitimate role, especially if something were to happen to Jones. As of right now, Jamaal Williams (being an every-down back) would most likely handle the majority of the work.
Inside Linebacker Injuries
Considered one of the weaker positions on their roster, the Packers lost projected starter Oren Burks to what is feared as a torn pectoral muscle. This leaves the Packers with inexperienced and unproven options. Veteran undrafted free agents James Crawford and Brady Sheldon, rookie undrafted free agent Curtis Bolton, and seventh-round rookie Ty Summers are the guys likely to take over starting next to Blake Martinez. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Packers bring in a veteran through trade or free agency like they did last season when both the starter Jake Ryan and his reserve Burks got injured. These preseason games are key for these linebackers to prove themselves and for someone to step up and take the starting role.
Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson’s Development
The first preseason game went well for Jackson as he went 4/6 passing for 59 yards and threw a touchdown as well. Jackson said that the Ravens didn’t call any run plays for him and that his pocket was clean so there was no need to run. This week I’m expecting to see more of Jackson and the first-team offense into the second quarter. I want to see how he is looking as a passer because everyone knows about his premier running ability. If Jackson can show improvement as a passer this season, he has a chance to be one of the top quarterbacks in the entire league.
Running Back Roles
Mark Ingram is the starter, but it isn’t known how much he will be playing compared to the guys behind him. Does he have a three-down role? Is he the goalline guy? Those are questions we would like answered. There are interesting backs behind him in Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, and Kenneth Dixon. Hill is an interesting rookie and has a dynamic player profile coming out of Oklahoma State. He would seem to be ideal for a passing game role. Edwards was the starter to end last season but doesn’t offer much in the passing game. Dixon hasn’t played in more than 12 games in his three years in the NFL due to both injuries and suspensions. He has, however, been a darling in the fantasy community since he was drafted out of Louisiana Tech. I want to see who is getting run with the first team and how they are mixing in. This offense ran the most plays per game and was the number one rushing attack last season, so knowing which running backs are involved is good information to have.
Wide Receivers Behind Willie Snead
Snead is the Ravens number one right now and will be the slot receiver in three-wide receiver sets. Behind him are dynamic rookies Miles Boykin and Marquise Brown. Brown is still coming back from a foot injury but has started practicing this week. Boykin has been getting rave reviews throughout camp early on. After those two, a few veterans are vying for a role. Seth Roberts, Michael Floyd, and Chris Moore could all find their way into a starting role to open the season. In the first preseason game, Boykin had the most targets with nine but was inefficient with those targets as he had four catches. Moore did the most with his receptions, as he had two for 48 yards. I wouldn’t expect to see Brown this week, which will give these other guys a chance to step up.
-Kevin Taylor (@KTBeast918)