Baltimore’s defense remains nerve-racking.
When the Ravens shut out the Bengals, 24-0, in Week 15, the Ravens thought their defense was ready to peak down the stretch.
It hasn’t happened. In Week 15, Baltimore couldn’t stop the Patriots in the fourth quarter and lost an 11-point lead. In this game, Baltimore gave up too many big plays, missed too many tackles, and Green Bay receivers were consistently open.
On their first drive, the Packers needed just two plays to drive 69 yards for a game-tying touchdown. Backup quarterback Malik Willis completed passes of 40 yards and 39 yards on that drive.
Willis hurt the Ravens badly with his arm (18 for 21, 288 yards, one touchdown) and legs (60 yards, two touchdowns). Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins had a particularly difficult night in coverage, but he was not alone.
The defense did get essentially three turnovers, including a clutch fourth-quarter interception by Marlon Humphrey when the Packers were threatening to make it a game down the stretch. Humphrey picked off third-string quarterback Clayton Tune after Willis went to the locker room with a shoulder injury.
“I thought the defense did a good job kind of picking themselves up off the mat,” Harbaugh said. “Just too many big plays in the passing game, just crazy, how did this happen kind of plays. We were on our heels, a little discombobulated there. We were all kind of shocked by it. I got to give Malik Willis a lot of credit. He got out of the pocket numerous times and made plays.”