With seven turnovers and 310 record-tying penalty yards, Monday night’s Packers-Ravens game wasn’t a visual masterpiece.
But the Packers will happily take the result.
Green Bay’s 27-14 win highlighted the Packers’ emerging defense and Baltimore’s struggling young quarterback. Joe Flacco and the team’s entire aerial attack hasn’t been the same since the team’s bye week.
Flacco was picked off three times, including twice in the fourth quarter. He threw for 3.8 yards-per-attempt, a JaMarcusian number. (Although he did rack up pass interference calls by throwing at Tramon Williams.)
The Ravens have problem areas sprouting up all over the place, but remain in playoff contention at 6-6. Baltimore’s schedule includes home games against the Lions and Bears before a trip to Pittsburgh. There is also a growing chance a seven loss team can sneak in the AFC tournament.
The Packers are hoping they don’t have sneak into anything. Aaron Rodgers played another solid game, completing 26-of-40 passes for 263 yards, three touchdowns, and two picks. (One interception bounced off Donald Driver’s leg.)
Rodgers helped answer a 14-point flurry by Baltimore with two good drives, the second culminating in tight end Jermichael Finley’s second touchdown.
Rodgers and the peaking Packers defense makes for a dangerous 8-4 team. A challenging four-game slate remains, but it looks like the Packers, Cowboys, Eagles, and Giants are fighting for three playoff spots.
And the NFC East teams will continue to beat each other up.