at Lambeau Field, the Green Bay Packers dropped a 41-24 decision to the Baltimore Ravens, handing Green Bay its third straight loss and locking the team into the No. 7 seed in the NFC. Baltimore’s rushing attack exploded for 307 yards, led by Derrick Henry’s 216 yards and four touchdowns on 36 carries. Backup QB Tyler Huntley (subbing for an injured Lamar Jackson) managed the game efficiently, while Packers’ backup Malik Willis staged a late rally before exiting with a shoulder issue. The result leaves Green Bay at 9-6-1 and facing a must-manage injury and morale situation heading into the regular-season finale.
Key Takeaways
- Baltimore rushed for 307 yards as a team; Derrick Henry accounted for 216 yards and four TDs on a career-high 36 attempts.
- Henry’s 216 yards are the most by an opposing back at Lambeau Field, surpassing Adrian Peterson’s 210 in 2012.
- Packers fell behind early after back-to-back long drives by the Ravens and two turnovers that gave Baltimore two field goals.
- Malik Willis completed 18-of-21 passes for 288 yards and one TD (134.6 passer rating) and added 60 rushing yards, but left with an aggravated shoulder injury late.
- With Chicago clinching the NFC North and other wild cards already at 11 wins, Green Bay is locked into the No. 7 seed and cannot improve seeding in Week 18.
- Multiple Packers left the game with injuries, including DL Jordon Riley (Achilles) and CB Kamal Hadden (ankle) transported on a cart.
Background
The Packers entered Week 17 with a playoff berth likely but fragile seeding prospects. A three-game losing streak developed as injuries to key players — notably starting QB Jordan Love, who did not clear concussion protocol after a helmet hit last weekend in Chicago — have complicated Green Bay’s December. The Ravens came to Lambeau having built an offense that balances a physical run game with timely passing; Baltimore’s ability to impose a ground identity has been a season-long trademark.
Historically, Lambeau Field has favored home teams and historic running performances stand out; Adrian Peterson’s 210-yard effort in 2012 was the benchmark for opponent rushing. For Green Bay, the front seven’s failures to slow interior runs during this game represent both schematic and personnel challenges, amplified by injuries and short turnaround time before the playoffs. Coaching staff and medical teams now face simultaneous tactical and recovery tasks.
Main Event
Baltimore opened aggressively and converted its first two possessions into long scoring drives: 13 plays covering 75 and 74 yards for touchdowns, with Henry carrying 14 times for 82 yards and two scores in those series. Those early drives set the tone and forced Green Bay into an uphill battle from the start. Two early offensive mistakes by the Packers — a turnover on downs and a fumble — directly led to two Ravens field goals and a 20-7 lead late in the first half.
Malik Willis provided the spark for Green Bay, connecting quickly on two big throws to Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson and scurrying for two rushing touchdowns on zone-read keepers to pull the Packers within 27-24 late in the third quarter. Willis finished with an efficient 18-of-21 line for 288 yards and a 134.6 passer rating, plus 60 rushing yards; his performance kept Green Bay competitive despite the scoreboard.
Willis’s shoulder, though, became a decisive factor. After banging the injured area on a slide and then aggravating it on a subsequent throw in the fourth quarter, Willis left the game. Practice-squad call-up Clayton Tune entered and his first pass was intercepted when it ricocheted off Bo Melton into Marlon Humphrey’s hands; the Ravens turned that takeaway into Henry’s fourth TD and closed the game out.
Analysis & Implications
Baltimore’s 307 rushing yards reflect a scheme and personnel mismatch that Green Bay could not correct in-game. Henry’s 36 carries demonstrated Baltimore’s commitment to finishing drives on the ground and exposed gaps in run defense both in lining up and tackling fundamentals. For Green Bay, the immediate implication is a need to reassess interior run fits and gap assignments before playoff opponents with strong rushing attacks arrive.
Willis’s outing complicates the Packers’ quarterback picture. His efficient passing and mobility suggest upside as a bridge option while Love remains in protocol, but the shoulder aggravation raises questions about durability and backup depth. The interception thrown by Tune highlights the penalties of relying on unproven depth-time signal-caller reps in high-leverage moments.
On a roster-management level, the string of injuries — including two players leaving on a cart — increases the probability that Green Bay will have to prioritize recovery over seeding in the Week 18 regular-season finale. With the No. 7 seed already locked and matchup implications fixed, the coaching staff faces a trade-off between winning the final game and preserving healthy bodies for the postseason.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Packers | Ravens |
|---|---|---|
| Total rushing yards | — | 307 |
| Derrick Henry | — | 216 yards, 4 TDs on 36 attempts |
| Malik Willis | 60 rush yards; 18/21, 288 yards, 1 TD | Tyler Huntley: 60 rush yards; 16/20, 107 yards, 1 TD |
| Final score | 24 | 41 |
The table highlights the gulf in ground production and the efficiency contrasts at quarterback. Henry’s 216-yard night is historically significant at Lambeau Field and correlates with sustained Ravens drive success; Green Bay could not match that level of run control. Willis’s efficiency shows that the Packers can move the ball through their backup but not yet protect leads or secure late-game stops.
Reactions & Quotes
After the game, Head Coach Matt LaFleur framed the loss as both a tactical failure and a humbling experience for the roster, emphasizing accountability and the need to respond.
“That was a humbling night — we just got beat.”
Matt LaFleur, Packers head coach (postgame)
LaFleur also praised Malik Willis’s competitiveness while acknowledging defensive lapses in critical moments that allowed Baltimore to sustain drives.
“I think he was one of the few bright spots — he was tough and made play after play.”
Matt LaFleur, on Malik Willis
On the Ravens’ side, personnel decisions such as using Henry extensively and letting Huntley manage the offense were validated by results; Huntley finished mistake-free with a 105.6 passer rating and converted key third downs. Fans and media reaction focused on the historic nature of Henry’s performance and questions about Green Bay’s health entering the postseason.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Jordan Love will be cleared to play in the regular-season finale remains undecided; the team has not announced a timeline beyond standard protocol.
- The long-term severity of Malik Willis’s shoulder aggravation has not been publicly confirmed; further imaging or evaluation is pending.
- Official recovery timetables for Jordon Riley and Kamal Hadden (both carted off) have not been released and may depend on additional testing.
Bottom Line
The 41-24 loss to Baltimore exposes a critical vulnerability in Green Bay’s run defense and complicates an already muddled quarterback and health picture heading into the playoffs. Derrick Henry’s historic Lambeau performance and the Ravens’ commitment to the ground game effectively dictated the game’s tempo and outcome.
Green Bay’s staff must now balance short-term recovery and roster decisions with scheme adjustments to limit interior rushing lanes. With the No. 7 seed locked in and injuries mounting, the Packers’ priorities this week will likely center on restoring health, shoring up run fits, and deciding whether to restart Jordan Love before the postseason.