1) Will Ravens feed Henry?
Lamar Jackson, dealing with a significant back contusion that knocked him out of a crushing Sunday light loss to the Patriots, is doubtful to play. But regardless of if it’s a hampered Jackson or backup Tyler Huntley under center, Baltimore’s best path to success might be hitting Green Bay hard with Derrick Henry. Henry is in the midst of his seventh 1,000-yard rushing season, and he seemingly couldn’t be contained versus New England as he racked up 128 yards and two scores on 18 carries. However, due to a backfield rotation with speedster Keaton Mitchell, Henry did not see a carry during the game’s final 12 minutes. That’s gobsmacking for a team that was without its star quarterback and could not afford to lose. The big bruiser joined Baltimore in 2024 for exactly these types of games, grinding out must-have yards in must-win contests in frigid temperatures. Given the Packers’ struggles against the run in their first game without Micah Parsons — they allowed a season-worst 5.8 yards per carry last week — it’s got to be King Henry time.
2) Someone(s) must step up for Packers defense
Green Bay held firm against the Bears in its first game since Micah Parsons’ torn ACL — until it didn’t. The Packers gave up 16 points in the final two minutes and overtime after allowing six up to that point. Keisean Nixon, the hero with a game-sealing pick in the team’s first contest against the Bears, turned zero, failing to properly swap in coverage on the first of Chicago’s touchdowns and getting beat deep on the game-winner. He’s in need of a bounce-back performance, and the Packers could also use a late surge from someone like Nate Hobbs, who has not lived up to the sizeable free-agent contract he signed. While the middle of the defense is very secure with Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker roaming as off-ball linebackers, the interior line still hasn’t been able to fill the void left by Devonte Wyatt’s season-ending injury. The pass rush is, of course, the biggest concern. Parsons has 37 more quarterback pressures than any other Packer. Rashan Gary, second with 46, is the team’s only active defender with more than two sacks (he has 7.5). Somebody has to start getting home for Green Bay — whether that’s Gary taking his game to another level, Kingsley Enagbare, Lukas Van Ness or Brenton Cox.
