The Baltimore Ravens need a win Saturday against Green Bay. They also need a miracle to get there, because Lamar Jackson is doubtful with a back injury and Tyler Huntley is preparing to start.

This changes everything for Saturday's betting landscape.

The Quick Hit

• What happened: Lamar Jackson is doubtful vs. Packers due to a back contusion suffered against the Patriots
• The damage: Ravens are 7-8 and need a win to keep playoff hopes alive
• Why you should care: Tyler Huntley is expected to start, which shifts the line significantly
• The context: Green Bay (-4.5) clinched a playoff berth Thursday when Detroit lost

The Injury Is Worse Than It Looked

Jackson got kneed in the lower left side of his back by Patriots safety Craig Woodson with 1:56 left in the first half of Sunday's 28-24 loss to New England. He didn't return to the game.

After the loss, Jackson struggled to walk out of the locker room. When he paused to take questions from reporters, he slumped against a locker. That's not the body language of a guy who's going to suit up four days later.

He was estimated as a non-participant in Tuesday's walkthrough. He didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday. The "doubtful" tag is basically the Ravens telling everyone to prepare for Tyler Huntley.

Lamar Has Been Dealing With This All Season

The back contusion is just the latest in a series of injuries that have plagued Jackson's 2025 campaign.

He strained his hamstring in Week 4 against the Chiefs and missed three games. Since returning in Week 9 against the Dolphins, he hasn't had a single full week of practice. Knee issues. Ankle problems. Toe ailments. The man has been held together with tape and determination.

And now, in the biggest game of the season, his body is finally giving out.

What This Means For The Line

Green Bay opened as 4.5-point favorites, and that number was set with the assumption that Jackson might not play. If you're looking for late-week line movement, watch for the Packers to climb toward -6 or -6.5 as money flows in.

The Packers have already clinched a playoff spot thanks to Detroit's Christmas Day collapse. They're playing for seeding, but there's less urgency now. Jordan Love is listed as questionable with his own injury concerns, which adds another wrinkle.

If both teams are rolling out backup quarterbacks, this becomes a completely different game than what was advertised.

Tyler Huntley's Track Record

Huntley started for the Ravens during Lamar's hamstring absence earlier this year. The results were mixed at best.

He's a capable backup who can run the offense competently, but he's not going to create the explosive plays that make Baltimore dangerous. The Ravens' passing attack becomes limited, and defenses can key on Derrick Henry more aggressively.

Baltimore went 1-2 in the games Huntley started this season. That's not ideal when your playoff hopes require running the table.

The Bottom Line

Saturday's Ravens-Packers game just got a lot more interesting for bettors. Lamar Jackson is almost certainly sitting this one out, which fundamentally changes what Baltimore can do offensively.

The Ravens at 7-8 are playing for survival. Tyler Huntley is about to be thrust into the biggest game of his career. Green Bay has already punched their playoff ticket and might not have their starting quarterback either.

If you're looking for value, watch the line movement closely. This game is going to look very different by Saturday afternoon than it did when the odds first opened.