Roundtable Reactions: Ravens run over Packers, keep playoff hopes alive

The Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive on Saturday night with a 41-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Here are the instant reactions from Baltimore Beatdown’s staff:

This might have been the funniest game in franchise history. John Harbaugh and Todd Monken were clearly feeling the heat from last week’s loss to the Patriots and decided to feed Derrick Henry as much as possible. With Lamar Jackson sidelined, that pretty much became the Ravens’ entire offense, to great comedic effect considering the Packers couldn’t do anything to stop him. On the other side, Malik Willis looked like an All-Pro against a Ravens defense that had no idea how to defend him. Few players are more fun to watch than Tyler Huntley, who deserves plenty of credit for effectively running the offense and converting key plays when he was asked to do so. Of course, this means nothing if the Browns cannot upset the Steelers tomorrow, but hey, it was fun! – Nikhil Mehta

As much as I want to be happy about the Ravens keeping their playoff hopes alive for at least one more day, this game just made last week’s decision to go away from Derrick Henry in the fourth quarter all the more maddening. If Baltimore somehow makes it into the playoffs, the gameplan should to feed Henry as much as possible, regardless of whoever is at quarterback. Tyler Huntley did exactly what was asked of him tonight and continues to prove that he should have been the backup to the Lamar Jackson over Cooper Rush earlier this season. This was an impressive win with their season on the line, but the Ravens now put their playoff lives in the hands of the Browns as they take on the Steelers. – Dustin Cox

Although it may be too little too late, this was a satisfying performance. Derrick Henry’s heroic effort behind a dominant offensive line showing encapsulated what the Ravens’ greatest strength is. When they  lean into the run game and avoid costly offensive miscues, they can score plenty enough to win football games. The Ravens probably cost themselves multiple victories throughout the year by failing to do this. As a result, they now need the Browns to pull off an unlikely upset over the Steelers to keep their playoff hopes alive. – Frank Platko

This team will never not make sense. In a game where Baltimore was eliminated from the playoffs with a loss, they delivered their best offensive performance of the year. Defensively, it was still a train wreck, but the offensive ball control and dominance made it impossible for Green Bay to get back in the game. This was the Ravens of old, and it was great to see. Derrick Henry was incredible, running for over 200 yards and 4(!) touchdowns. It’s extra frustrating to see the potential of a team we all knew was there and are now at the mercy of the Cleveland Browns to keep their playoff hopes alive. – Stephen Bopst