After a short-handed Baltimore team grinded out a 26-23 win against the Dolphins in Miami last week on Justin Tucker’s game-winning 44-yard field goal, the Ravens return home to M&T Bank Stadium to host the Green Bay Packers in an inter-conference matchup. For Joe Flacco and company, Dorothy’s magic words are true: There really is no place like home.
With this being their only home game in a five-game stretch, the Ravens have to be glad that they get to face such a tough opponent on their turf, rather than on the road. Baltimore has won its last 13 home games against NFC teams, the longest such streak in the NFL. And with a win Sunday, the Ravens would improve to an outstanding 36-7 at home under the leadership of Flacco and head coach John Harbaugh.
But to get the win, Flacco will have to keep up with another $20-plus million quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.
The two have more in common than just their big contracts. Flacco and Rodgers have both led their teams to a Super Bowl Championship and earned Super Bowl MVP honors. In addition, the Ravens’ and Packers’ signal-callers are the only two players in the NFL to pass for at 3,600 yards, throw at least 20 touchdowns, and throw less than 12 interceptions in each of the past four years.
However, it looks like Flacco has much more good news coming his way going into Sunday’s game than his golden-armed counterpart.
The Ravens only had three active wide receivers in uniform against the Dolphins last week, and were missing two of the three receivers who had started a game this season. However, Marlon Brown, who missed the week five game with a hamstring problem, and Jacoby 
Jones, who hasn’t played since injuring his knee in the week one opener against the Denver Broncos, have both practiced this week and are expected to play Sunday.
In addition to the hopeful return of Brown and Jones (who are both officially listed as questionable), Brandon Stokley was also re-signed by the Ravens this week after being cut by the team prior to last week’s game. The 37-year-old wideout, who has been battling a hip injury over the past couple weeks himself, practiced this week as well, and is ready to suit up.
Not only should the receiving corps be close to full strength, but it appears that Flacco’s blind side will be better protected than in recent weeks. Left guard Kelechi Osemele will be back this week after being pulled after the first series of last week’s game due to back spasms, and newly-acquired left tackle Eugene Monroe will start his first game in a Ravens’ uniform.
Rodgers, on the other hand, will be behind a susceptible offensive line trying to halt a Ravens pass rush that is second in the league in sacks (19). On the other side of the coin, the Packers defense will be without their leader, as linebacker Clay Matthews has been ruled out with a broken thumb.
With all this in mind, don’t expect either team to run away with this game. It should stay competitive well into the fourth quarter; but it looks like the Ravens defense is in position to force Rodgers to make a mistake or two, and limit a touchdown or two to field goals.
If the Baltimore pass rush puts consistent pressure on the Green Bay quarterback this week, Rodgers won’t have time to “double check” much of anything. Look for the Ravens to defend their house in an entertaining fairly high-scoring affair. Ravens 31, Packers 27.
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