Baltimore Beatdown's Ravens-Packers prediction

If the Ravens are going to win this game, the No. 1 key might not be slowing down Aaron Rodgers.

It could wind up being Baltimore's ability to take away the running game as an option. The Packers have looked to become more than just a one dimensional team on offense this year, adding Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin through the draft. James Starks has looked good too, though he's out due to injury for Sunday's game.

Rodgers will make his plays, that's for certain. But with the Packers' secondary susceptible through the air, Joe Flacco and Baltimore's offense should be able to score points and move the ball against Green Bay.

This game could come down to which team's running game can grind the game out when it matters most.

The Ravens' defense has the daunting task of taking Lacy and the running game away while simultaneously guarding against the big play in the passing game. Yes, the run defense has improved drastically from a year ago. But Green Bay's offense may prove too much to deal with in the end.

Prediction: Packers 27, Ravens 23.