Packers Shut Out At Home By Ravens

I'm writing this a couple days later than usual because I couldn't stand to think about that awful game immediately after it happened. I went and binge watched Mindhunter on Netflix instead.

Looking back a couple days later, as depressing as the game was on Sunday, it still seemed like during the game that the Green Bay Packers could have turned it around. The Baltimore Ravens offense is a mess so this game didn't feel out of reach until the 4th quarter. Despite 3 first half turnover, the Ravens only had 6 points at half. The Ravens only had 219 yards of offense for the entire game!

Otherwise, this game was a lot like their previous home loss to the Lions, except the Lions have a functioning offense that put the game out of reach in the 2nd quarter.

There's a lot I could write about; the weak pass rush, the depleted, exposed secondary, this might finally be the end for DC Dom Capers, the running game misses Aaron Jones (and, though he's still a major league ass, the run blocking of Martellus Bennett), that Jason Spriggs returned from IR and brought his bad pass blocking back with him. But none of that really matters until the Packers get their starting quarterback back and send Brett Hundley to the bench.

Though I have to say that Hundley is a usable backup quarterback. He should never be handed a starting job on a full-time basis, but he has moments and that's really all that can be expected from a backup. If Rodgers is injured during a game, it's at least possible that Hundley could catch fire and finish the hypothetical game with a win. Someday he might even be as good as Matt Flynn was.

I think it's clear if the #Packers want to continue with Hundley... Establish and commit to a running game via heavier personnel (21/22 personnel) - work in play action/RPOs... Empty/quick game when needed.

Hundley can't 'dropback' you to victory.

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) November 21, 2017

The worst sight is seeing Hundley back in the pocket, with pressure in his face. In that situation, he'll either run backwards 10 yards, take a sack, or throw an ill-advised pass into the middle of the field. The best he's done on any broken play is run for a first down. Every upcoming defensive coordinator should keep on disguising coverage (because he's not seeing the field) and blitz the heck out of him. Put pressure on him, take away his first read, and he's done.

A run heavy game plan isn't a formula for success, there's no NFL team who's currently successful with it, but the ground game has been working for the Packers. They also have to work the sidelines with deep passes to Adams and Nelson, which would keep the safety honest against the run and Hundley is best at throwing outside the numbers. They should be avoiding passes to the middle of the field at all costs. Above all else, they have to avoid all turnovers.

That strategy would really limit the offense and wouldn't stress opposing defenses. But it would keep them competitive in games against teams without much offense and it give them a couple wins. The playoffs aren't realistic so it's best to just keep each game as competitive as possible and give the fans something to stay for through the 4th quarter.

Ravens Claim Packers TE Ryan Taylor off Waivers

The Ravens have claimed Packers Tight End Ryan Taylor off waivers, NFL Trade Rumors reports.

Taylor, 26, was cut by the team yesterday when they made room for a wide receiver. He was drafted by Green Bay back in the seventh round of 2011, a youngster out of The University of North Carolina.

Since then, Taylor's been notable for his contributions to the Pack's Special Teams, while also occasionally playing on offense. In 50 games since the start of his career, he's caught eight passes for 45 yards and a touchdown, which came against the Raiders in his rookie season.

Forbes Ranks Packers Fans NFL's Best

Forbes has ranked Packers fans NFL's best.

Immediately behind Green Bay on the recently-released list are the Broncos, Saints, Patriots, and Ravens, with the arch-rival Bears also making the top 10 with the ten spot.

According to Forbes, 84% of adults in the Green Bay Area are fans of the team, an unsurprising statistic considering Lambeau's constant sellouts.

Also, since the Pack have probably the NFL's most notable history you can't exactly even be proud of this news, as likable as it is. 

Remember, in their history the Packers have impressively won a league-best 13 titles, something that can only be expected to draw supporters.

Packers Claim Former Ravens WR Gerrard Sheppard

The Packers have claimed former Ravens Wide Receiver Gerrard Sheppard off waivers, the Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson reports.

Sheppard, who was cut by the Ravens on July 29 when CB Marrio Norman was signed, spent last season on the team's practice squad, never getting put on the main roster.

Still, since he did play pretty well when attending Towson University the 23-year-old does seem to have potential, possibly making this no-risk acquisition likable.

Remember, Green Bay's first preseason game is now just 10 days away, when the defending NFC North champs will finally take the field against the Tennessee Titans. 

Packers target Daniels signs with Ravens

According to NFL.com, Former Texans Tight End Owen Daniels, who's been contact with the Packers throughout this offseason, (going as far as to meet with them early last month) has signed a one-year deal with the Ravens. Last year, Daniels' eighth with Houston, the veteran wasn't too great, catching just 24 passes for 252 yards, but still, acquiring him would've been pretty cool. 

Anyway, in reality this news shouldn't affect the Pack too much, as they've already re-signed longtime backup Andrew Quarless, so yea, let's not get too stressed about it. It's actually not that big of a deal. 

Packers showing interest in Ravens DE Arthur Jones

The Packers, along with the Titans, Redskins, Giants, and Vikings, are currently rumored to be showing interest in Ravens Defensive End Arthur Jones, NFLTradeRumors.com reports. Last season, Jones was easily one of the best Defense Lineman in the league, racking up an impressive 53 tackles (5 tackles for a loss) and 4 sacks in just 14 games. 

Now if Green Bay can get this guy, I don't see why they shouldn't. He'd help out the defense while costing them a bunch of money, but they still got a lot left. It's like they're anywhere near being broke or anything.

Cobb: Hit that injured my leg "was dirty"

As you probably remember, Packers WR Randall Cobb missed a couple months this season after injuring his leg in the Packers Week 6 win over the Ravens. Now up until now, Cobb hasn't spoken a word about the incident itself, but earlier this week he apparently broke his silence, saying the hit on him was "dirty," although he doesn't believe it was meant to be.

“I think it was dirty,” Cobb said on Wednesday’s edition of Pro Football Talk at the Super Bowl. “But I don’t think it was meant to be dirty.  I think with the new rules in place he was doing the opposite and trying to protect himself from getting a fine and it just caused a low hit.”

Now I gotta say, that statement is very back-and-forth. In my opinion, you can't unintentionally commit a dirty hit, so I find these words from Cobb to be very unclear.

Lions hire Ravens OC Jim Caldwell as head coach

The Lions search for new coach to replace the disgraced Jim Schwartz ended yesterday, when it was reported by ESPN that Jim Caldwell, the current Offensive Coordinator of the Ravens, had been hired for the position. You may remember Caldwell as the man who coached the Colts from 2009-2011, leading them to the Super Bowl in '09. 

When he was in Indianapolis, Caldwell overall was a decent coach, but the only reason he actually had success was, let's face it, because he had Peyton Manning as his QB. So, this season, I won't expect him to win more than 8 games. The Lions already don't play well together, and now they got a new coach. It'll take them at least a season or two to get good again. 

Cobb cleared to run; could return next week

According to ESPN's Jason Wilde, Packers WR Randall Cobb has been cleared to run by team doctors. Cobb hasn't played or had a legit practice since Week 5, when he fractured his right tibia in a 19-17 win over the Ravens. 

While Cobb obviously won't play today, this news does make it possible that he could return for next week's game against the Steelers, if the Pack think they're still in it by then. So yea, he's getting pretty close to returning. Now all Green Bay needs to do is get Rodgers back and they should be good to go.