Report Card: Ravens Keep Hope Alive for At Least One More Day

In a game the Ravens absolutely, positively had to have, they operated like the team that they absolutely, positively should have been playing like all season long. Well, at least on one side of the ball. Like all games, there were some good performances, some rough spots and some middling performances in this impressive win over the Green Bay Packers in prime time.

Let’s look at some grades.

Offense Overall: A+

Outside of a kneel-down to end the game, the Ravens generated five touchdowns, two field goals and a punt on their other eight possessions. They came out with a clear intent to run the ball and fed their star running back early and often, holding the ball for 13:49 of the first quarter. At half time, the Ravens had put up 27 points, Derrick Henry had already rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns, and it felt like the Ravens overwhelmed an opponent for the first time all season. The Ravens had 414 yards, were 10-14 on third downs, did not turn the ball over and cashed in four of six red-zone possessions. They possessed the ball for 40:16.

Quarterback: A

It wasn’t the most prolific game, but Tyler Huntley stepped up big time in this one, going 16-20 through the air for 107 yards and a touchdown, and picked up another 60 yards with his feet. He passed on a chance to potentially run in a TD scramble in the second quarter, and didn’t give DeAndre Hopkins must of a chance on a sideline pass in the end zone late in the first half, but that’s nit-picking. His touchdown pass to Zay Flowers showed great timing and touch, and he made quick decisions all night. Huntley is aware of both his strengths and weaknesses, and that’s a strength, particularly as a back-up quarterback. He was very good in this one.

Running Backs: A+

Derrick Henry went for 216 yards on 36 carries and scored four touchdowns. That’s really all I need to say here. But it’s not all there is to say. Henry came out and put the team on his broad shoulders, picking up 48 yards and a touchdown on seven carries during the Ravens’ opening drive. He followed that with a touchdown on the Ravens’ second drive, and pounded in his third of the half with 10 seconds left. His 25-yard gallop to end the game’s scoring was as impressive as his first carry of the game. He was everything this team needed. Keaton Mitchell added 31 yards on nine carries, and had an explosive 14-yarder. Rasheen Ali dropped an easy one, but did have two catches. Patrick Ricard had his share of violent blocks, including on Henry’s 30-yarder at the end of the third quarter.

Receivers: B

They didn’t get a lot of opportunities, but Zay Flowers did a great job fighting for a touchdown — and not coughing up the ball in the process — in the fourth quarter. He also had a great catch-and-run for 13 in the first quarter. Isaiah Likely had some huge blocks, including on Henry’s 30-yarder, and hauled in three balls. Mark Andrews had four catches, and each seemed to come in a big spot. Rashod Bateman had an appearance with a seven-yard catch.

Offensive Line: A

This was their best game of the season, and it’s not close. They consistently moved the line of scrimmage for an offense that ran the ball for 307 yards. Tyler Linderbaum continued his strong play of late and seemed to live on the second level. Ronnie Stanley appeared dominant at times, as well. Daniel Faalele had one of the best games of his career on first watch, making big blocks on back-to-back plays for Henry in that opening drive, and working with Linderbaum on Henry’s 13-yarder on third-and-five in the fourth quarter. He did whiff badly on a red-zone run late in the first half. Roger Rosengarten got beaten badly on a five-yard loss in the third quarter, but was mostly good.

Defense Overall: C-

There were some big plays that need to be recognized in this grade, but Malik Willis looked like a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer for much of the game, and the Packers averaged 8.2 yards per play. Outside of some runs by Willis, they were stout, but the pass defense left too many wide-open holes in zones, and saw too many  defenders get beaten on routes. In that first possession of the second half, with the Ravens trying to hold on to a 13-point lead, they gave up a third-and-14 to a wide-open receiver and let Willis scramble to convert a third-and-nine later. Those plays can be back-breakers.

Defensive Line: B-

The line was dominant against the Packers run game, outside of Willis, allowing 19 yards on seven carries by running backs. Travis Jones had 1.5 sacks, combining with Tavius Robinson for one of them. Dre’Mont Jones had six tackles and seemed to be buzzing around Willis much of the game. Mike Green recovered a fumble on a botched snap, but I didn’t notice him much. Robinson did get pinched inside on Willis’ touchdown run at the end of the first half.

Linebackers: C

The Packers didn’t run the ball a lot, so we didn’t see Roquan Smith pile up a ton of tackles. He only had three on the night, but did stuff a fourth-and-inches in Green Bay territory early in the second quarter. Trenton Simpson had four tackles, and made a terrific open-field stop on Willis on third-and-goal early in the third quarter, forcing the Packers to kick a field goal. Both linebackers appeared to get beaten in zone a few times, but nothing egregious.

Defensive Backs: D

Nate Wiggins appeared to have a tough one on first watch. He got beaten by Romeo Doubs for 40 yards on the Packers’ first offensive snap of the game, and later gave up big completions to Christian Watson and Bo Melton. He did lead the team with seven tackles, but that doesn’t feel like a good thing in this instance. Marlon Humphrey gave up the edge to Willis on his second-quarter touchdown run, and then whiffed on Willis again later in the third quarter. He did grab a pick off a deflected pass in the fourth quarter. Kyle Hamilton had two big stops on the game — one on a red-zone run in the third quarter, and the other on a scramble late. Alohi Gilman had a 15-yard face-mask flag at the end of the first half. Malakai Starks appears to be a half-step slow on some passes in the middle of the field, but he has been mostly solid as of late.

Special Teams: B

Tyler Loop continued his strong rookie campaign, connecting on all five extra points and two field goals, and kicking off well. Jordan Stout only punted once, but pinned the Packers to their own 15. LaJohntay Wester didn’t return any punts, but he did have 96 yards on four kick returns. His style of making the first guy miss seems to be more effective on punts than kickoffs, but he does show promise when he just goes straight upfield. T.J. Tampa and Starks each had solid stops on kick returns.

Coaching: B

This was the offensive plan we thought we’d see more often this year. Lots of Derrick Henry, mixed in with some quarterback keepers and play-action passes. It worked in this one, and it was a dominant effort. I liked the third-and-five runs in this one, and it felt like the Ravens could have picked up a couple yards on the ground whenever they wanted it. The defense is a weird mix still, and there are real issues in filling zones in the backfield.

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/12/28/report-card/report-card-ravens-keep-hope-alive-for-at-least-one-more-day/