The NFL's final regular-season week is set for high drama, with several teams' playoff destinies on the line. For the Baltimore Ravens, their entire season comes down to a daunting trip to face the Green Bay Packers at legendary Lambeau Field.
Quarterback Concerns Cloud Crucial Matchup
The Ravens, sitting at a 7-8 record, must defeat the 9-5-1 Packers to keep their faint postseason hopes alive. However, their task is massively complicated by significant injury concerns surrounding their star players.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is battling a back injury, casting serious doubt over his availability and effectiveness. If he cannot perform at 100 per cent, Baltimore's chances of an upset victory look slim. This situation has intensified scrutiny on a disappointing Ravens campaign, which recently forced head coach John Harbaugh to publicly deny rumours of a rift with his franchise QB.
Green Bay has its own health issue, with passer Jordan Love working through the NFL's concussion protocol. The status of both starting quarterbacks will be a decisive factor in this win-or-go-home contest.
AFC North Division Battle Heats Up
The outcome in Green Bay will directly impact the fiercely contested AFC North. The Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) can clinch the division title if the Ravens lose or tie against the Packers.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has hinted that such a scenario could lead him to rest starters, including veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, for their own game against the Cleveland Browns. This would thrust backup QB Mason Rudolph into the spotlight, setting up a potentially explosive subplot.
Rudolph infamously clashed with Browns superstar Myles Garrett in 2019, an incident that saw Garrett suspended for six games after removing Rudolph's helmet and striking him with it. With Cleveland fans clinging to the hope of seeing Garrett break the all-time NFL sack record, a Rudolph start could add serious fuel to this rivalry.
Other Key Games for Australian Viewers
The playoff picture will be shaped by several other crucial matchups broadcast for fans in Australia. The Chicago Bears, one of the league's surprise success stories at 11-4, face a massive test against the San Francisco 49ers, with the NFC North division potentially at stake.
In the AFC, the Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) are riding a six-game winning streak and are favoured to extend it against the Indianapolis Colts (8-7), who continue their unexpected experiment with the retired-turned-active quarterback Philip Rivers.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks (12-3) can secure the NFC's No.1 seed with a win over the Carolina Panthers, depending on other results. At the other end of the standings, the clash between the 2-13 Las Vegas Raiders and the 2-13 New York Giants is essentially a battle for the top pick in next year's NFL draft.
Australian Broadcast Schedule
Fans can catch all the action across ESPN and 7MATE:
- Ravens @ Packers: Today, 9am - 12pm (ESPN)
- Jaguars @ Colts: Tomorrow, 2am - 5am (7MATE)
- Steelers @ Browns: Tomorrow, 2am - 5am (ESPN2)
- Seahawks @ Panthers: Tomorrow, 2am - 5am (ESPN)
- Giants @ Raiders: Tomorrow, 5:05am - 8am (7MATE)
- Eagles @ Bills: Tomorrow, 5:25am - 8:30am (ESPN)
- Bears @ 49ers: Tomorrow, 9:20am - 12:30pm (ESPN)
- Rams @ Falcons: Tuesday, 9:15am - 12:15pm (ESPN)
The final week of the NFL regular season promises to deliver tension, surprises, and definitive answers on who will advance to the playoffs and who will be left planning for next year.
