Monday Morning QB Talk: Snoop Keeps Baltimore Alive!

The Baltimore Ravens got exactly the performance they needed out of Tyler Huntley on Saturday, as the veteran backup led them to a 41-24 win over the Packers in Lambeau. Huntley entered Saturday’s contest in place of a banged-up Lamar Jackson, who’s sidelined with what the team is now calling a back contusion. It’s the second time Huntley has been put in place to start for Jackson this season, doing so in Week 8 against the Bears, where he led the Ravens to a 30-16 win.

Tyler Huntley obviously isn’t as talented as Lamar Jackson, but his health and ability to play a similar style to Jackson have enabled the Ravens offense to flourish when Snoop’s under center. In two starts, Huntley and the Ravens offense have averaged 35.5 points per game, compared to the 23.1 through Jackson’s eight games since returning from his hamstring injury. Saturday night’s performance was a clear indication it’s not just Huntley carrying the offense, especially when Derrick Henry is running the ball 36 times for four touchdowns.

However, Huntley’s clean play from the pocket and lack of turnover-worthy plays have been an underrated aspect of the Ravens success. On 67 pass attempts this season, Huntley has 0 intercepions and a PFF turnover-worthy percentage of just 1.2%. In parts of four games this season, Huntley has 426 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, as well as 151 rushing yards. Snoop’s presence in the pocket was noticeable as well, scrambling for a season-high three times and picking up nine total first downs on the ground throughout the night. The offensive line gave Huntley the protection he needed, surrendering just 13 total pressures, due in part to the absence of Micah Parsons.

With Jackson’s health still in question ahead of a win-or-go-home Week 18 matchup, the Ravens season could lie in the hands of Huntley for the second straight week. Huntley holds a 1-3 record against the Steelers, but with the health of T.J. Watt still in doubt, along with the suspension of DK Metcalf lasting another week, anything could be possible Week 18 in Pittsburgh.

Rodgers’ Fear of History Leads to a Missed Chance at the Division

It really was hard not to enter Sunday’s Steelers-Browns matchup with a little bit of optimism. Pittsburgh was without star edge rusher Watt, as well as key offseason acquisition Metcalf, who was serving the first of his two-game suspension from a fan altercation in Detroit a week ago.

The path was clear for Mike Tomlin and company entering the contest: a win, and they locked up the AFC North for the first time since the 2020 season. A loss, and the Ravens come to town next week for a win-or-go-home for the final playoff spot in the AFC.

Despite Browns star rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. leaving early with a groin injury, and fellow rookie standout linebacker Carson Schwesinger playing clearly banged up, the Steelers still could not close out the division. It was clear as day that Aaron Rodgers had zero interest in becoming the quarterback against whom edge rusher Myles Garrett woud break the sack record. The Browns didn’t even send pressure on Rodgers in the win on Sunday. Of his 44 dropbacks, he was pressured just eight times. When pressured, Rodgers finished 2-for-5 for 11 yards and two sacks, according to @Steelers_DB on X. The Browns also did a stellar job at limiting the Steelers depleted receiver room by utilizing man coverage. When facing man coverage, Rodgers finished just 4-for-13 for 35 yards, prioritizing quick releases to relieve the potential of a Garrett sack.

Sunday’s contest was the quickest time to throw average the Browns have faced all season, as Rodgers averaged a throw time of 2.39 seconds. Questionable coaching decisions and inept offensive play have left the Steelers on the verge of doing it again, collapsing late.

It’ll all come down to Week 18 in Pittsburgh, where we’ll either see Jackson vs. Rodgers or Huntley vs. Rodgers, with the final postseason spot on the line.

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