Top Players to Watch in the Ravens vs. Packers Clash in NFL Week 17

Week 17 delivers a pivotal matchup at Lambeau Field as the Baltimore Ravens visit the Green Bay Packers. With playoff implications looming and both rosters loaded with impact players, several matchups will define how this game unfolds.

Lamar Jackson’s Escape Ability and Vision

Lamar Jackson continues to be one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league. His ability to evade pressure, extend plays, and find openings downfield gives the Ravens an unpredictable edge. 

Jackson is most dangerous when a play breaks down, he keeps his eyes downfield while maneuvering through collapsing pockets, often turning a sure sack into a 30-yard gain. His ability to manipulate defenders with hesitation moves and still deliver accurate throws puts tremendous stress on defensive coordinators.

Derrick Henry’s Physicality and Game Control

Derrick Henry remains a relentless presence in Baltimore’s backfield. With his long stride, sheer power, and second-level speed, he wears out defenses over the course of a game. Arm tackles rarely bring him down, and his ability to absorb contact while maintaining forward momentum creates steady chunk gains. Henry’s presence forces defensive schemes to commit more bodies to the box, opening up play-action options and softening coverage later in games.

Zay Flowers’ Route Sharpness and Open-Field Threat

Zay Flowers adds explosive quickness and precision to Baltimore’s offense. His sharp footwork and route discipline allow him to separate against both man and zone coverage. Flowers consistently turns short passes into large gains thanks to his vision and acceleration in the open field. His timing with Jackson continues to grow, creating natural chemistry in scramble situations and late down scenarios.

Jordan Love’s Growth and Vertical Threat

Jordan Love’s development has been a key storyline in Green Bay. His deep ball continues to improve, with better touch, placement, and anticipation. He remains calm under pressure and has shown the ability to step up in collapsing pockets and find receivers in stride. Love’s growing command of the offense and trust in his young receiving corps make him a dangerous option late in games, particularly when trailing or under two-minute pressure.

Josh Jacobs’ Downhill Running and Blocking Value

Josh Jacobs brings a physical, between-the-tackles presence to the Packers’ offense. His balance through contact and footwork in traffic allow him to create yards after first contact. Jacobs excels at finding daylight in tight spaces, and his strength in pass protection adds value beyond just carries. He often gives Love just enough time to work through progressions or hit deep throws, and he’s a reliable target in check-down situations.

Jayden Reed’s Footwork and Catch Radius

Jayden Reed is emerging as a trusted target thanks to his ability to make plays in traffic. His agility allows him to shake defenders off the line, while his contested catch skills give Love a reliable option in tight windows. Reed’s awareness and sideline control let him convert tough completions into drive-sustaining plays. Whether working across the middle or tracking balls down the sideline, he consistently delivers when the moment calls for it.

Jackson’s Command and Presence

Jackson’s value goes beyond his physical gifts. He’s the clear leader of the Ravens offense, bringing composure and belief into every huddle. His pre-snap adjustments reflect a deepening understanding of defenses, and his ability to read fronts and coverage shells helps Baltimore control the pace. Jackson’s dual-threat capability forces defenders into hesitation, creating mismatches throughout the field on every snap.

Henry’s Field Vision and Patience

Henry’s approach to running the ball is as cerebral as it is punishing. He allows blocks to set up and waits for the right moment before exploding through gaps. Near the goal line, his understanding of leverage and pad level makes him especially difficult to stop. His ability to set up safeties with subtle angles and tempo changes makes every carry a threat to go the distance.

Flowers’ Adaptability and Timing With Jackson

The chemistry between Flowers and Jackson is evident in how they adjust to each other mid-play. Flowers reads Jackson’s movement and alters his routes accordingly, becoming a natural safety valve. Their connection thrives on improvisation, which allows the Ravens to remain effective even when structure breaks down. That synergy becomes especially valuable in red zone and third-down situations.

Love’s Decision-Making and Pocket Awareness

Love continues to evolve as a cerebral quarterback. He commands protections at the line, adjusts based on defensive shifts, and rarely forces throws. His poise under pressure helps extend drives, and his growth in reading coverages allows him to exploit mismatches. As his confidence builds, so does his control over Green Bay’s offensive rhythm.

Jacobs’ Impact in Short-Yardage and Protection

Near the goal line, Jacobs takes on a larger role. His power running style and low pad level make him tough to stop inside the five. In passing situations, he identifies blitzers early and stands firm in protection, allowing Love to operate comfortably. His ability to catch out of the backfield also gives the Packers flexibility on third downs and in two-minute drills.

Reed’s Consistency and Playmaking in Big Moments

Reed thrives when the pressure mounts. He consistently delivers on key downs with sharp route execution and strong hands. His body control near the boundary and feel for defensive spacing give him the tools to succeed in isolation or as part of a larger route concept. As the Packers search for stability at wide receiver, Reed continues to provide it when it matters most.

With star power on both sides, this Ravens-Packers showdown could come down to which group of playmakers delivers in the game’s defining moments. Whether it’s Jackson turning nothing into something, Love delivering in crunch time, or Henry and Jacobs controlling tempo, the margin for error in Week 17 will be razor thin.