Week 6 - Presented by Ruth's Chris Steak House, the home of serious steaks.
Sunday, 10/13/13, 1:00 PM - M&T Bank Stadium (71,008)
TV: FOX / WBFF-TV (Ch. 45)
TV Crew: Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Daryl Johnston (analyst), Tony Siragusa (sideline)
Radio: 98 Rock | WBAL-1090 AM | Westwood One Sports | Sirius: 86 | XM: 86
Local Radio Crew: Gerry Sandusky (play-by-play), Stan White (analyst), Qadry Ismail (analyst)
National Radio Crew: Dave Sims (play-by-play), Mark Malone (analyst)
Ravens Jersey Color: Black
Referee Crew: Gene Steratore
TV Coverage: **View Map**
The Ravens return to M&T Bank Stadium this Sunday to take on the Green Bay Packers in their one home game over the span of six weeks.
The matchup between AFC and NFC teams could end up having significant playoff implications as the Ravens (3-2) and Packers (2-2) both have Super Bowl aspirations, but have gotten off to an up-and-down start to the 2013 season.
Both teams picked up wins last weekend – the Ravens over the Dolphins and the Packers over the Lions – and they will look to build off that success.
Sunday's matchup between two of the last three Super Bowl champions also features two of the NFL's best quarterbacks in Joe Flacco and Aaron Rodgers, who both received record-breaking contracts this offseason.
Matchups To Watch
QB Joe Flacco vs. QB Aaron Rodgers
Of course, these two players will never be on the field at the same time, but the result of Sunday's game will depend in large part on how the quarterbacks perform. The Packers are known for having a high-powered offense, and the Ravens could be poised for a breakout game with Flacco finally getting a healthy receiving corps.
OLB Terrell Suggs vs. LT David Bakhtiari
Suggs has been one of the NFL's best defensive players through the first five weeks, and he leads the Ravens with seven sacks on the year. Suggs would set a franchise record for most consecutive games with a sack if he's able to get to Rodgers this week.
CB Lardarius Webb vs. WR Randall CobbWebb could likely end up matched against the speedy Cobb, who has the ability to break big plays at any moment. The Ravens have been focused on avoiding the big plays in the passing game, and limiting the explosive Cobb is critical for the secondary. Webb has led the secondary since returning from anterior cruciate ligament surgery, and the Ravens will need another strong week from him. * *
Keys To The Game
Keep the running game goingThe Ravens are coming off their best performance of the season in the running game, when they picked up 133 yards on 40 carries. They made a commitment to pounding the football on the group and ended up wearing down Miami's defense in the second half. The Ravens want that success to carry over this week, as having success on the ground is one way to eat up the clock and keep Green Bay's offense off the field.
Protect Joe FlaccoThe offensive line struggled to protect Flacco last week, and he has been sacked 14 times this season. There has been a change at left tackle and Eugene Monroe appears slated to make his first start in place of veteran Bryant McKinnie. The Ravens traded for Monroe last week and he should provide a boost to the run game and pass protection. The Ravens do catch a break, as the Packers will be without pass rushing linebacker Clay Matthews who broke his thumb last week. The absence of Matthews and arrival of Monroe could* *help the Ravens keep Flacco upright, which is critical for the offense.
Limit the turnoversThe Ravens have struggled with turnovers at times this season, as Flacco has eight interceptions through the first five games. Most of those came in a loss to the Bills where Flacco tossed a career-high five interceptions. Running back Ray Rice also has two fumbles so far this year. Limiting those turnovers is important for the Ravens against a Packers team that can put up points in a hurry.
