Well, that might have been the worst football game I've ever seen and I once watched in-person the Jets beat the Packers 38-10 at Lambeau Field. It was that bad. All the starts sitting or not, that was pretty lifeless. And kind of surprising given the notes that came out of the joint practice.

But still, it is preseason and no one really knows the goals of a team's given game plan going into it. Let's just hope for a more spirited effort this week with yet another joint practice, this time with the visiting Baltimore Ravens, and preseason finale this weekend.

So let's throw Sunday's snoozer into the dumpster and raise up the Periscope to look at the past, present and future of the Ravens and Packers

The Past

The Packers and Ravens have only played seven times, with the Packers holding a 5-2 edge in the series, making it one of their least common opponents. The most recent of which, a 2021 tilt where the Pack eked one out 31-30 over a Ravens team sporting Tyler Huntley at quarterback. A mostly entertaining game, but one I remember being very frustrated with given the opposing quarterback.

But this week's focus game comes from December 7 2009, where the Packers, at home on Monday Night Football, established themselves as a pretty darn good football team. The Packers opened up an early lead in this one, taking a 17-0 score into halftime after two Aaron Rodgers passing touchdowns, one to Jermichael Finley and the other to Donald Driver. With the ball and the lead midway through the third, Rodgers connected with Driver but Ravens DB Chris Carr jarred the ball loose, and it was recovered by the Ravens.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco took it down and connected with Kelley Washington for a 12-yard touchdown, cutting the lead to 17-7 Pack. With the ball again, Rodgers underthrew a ball to Driver and it hit his leg, popping straight up into the air for an interception. And after a lengthy pass interference penalty on Tramon Williams, the Ravens' Willis McGahee punched in the touchdown from the 1 to make it 17-14 Packers.

After getting into field goal range early in the fourth, kicker Mason Crosby pushed a 38-yard field goal left to give it right back to Baltimore. On the ensuing drive, Flacco went deep to Derrick Mason on a hilariously underthrown ball that was so underthrown, Mason was able to come back and easily make the catch. It was also so underthrown that it looked like offensive pass interference which thankfully drew a flag.

With the ball back again, Rodgers and the Packers were finally able to extend the lead. After a first down pass to Driver, Rodgers connected on a beaut to Jermichael Finley from 19 yards out to make it 24-14 Packers and have a little bit of breathing room.

But after the Ravens went deep again to Derrick Mason, yet another PI was called on Tramon Williams and Baltimore was again in business. However on second and goal, Flacco rolled right, evaded pressure and lofted a pass across his body right into the hands of Tramon for a critical pick. After another Flacco pick to AJ Hawk, a goal line stand by the Packers D and 3 more Mason Crosby points, it was a 27-14 Packers win and a lot of momentum in December.

The Present

We know what the Packers need to do this week. After getting their teeth kicked in in the joint practice against Denver then subsequently in the preseason game, we - and also the Packers brass - need to see some effort. Some grit. Some toughness and resolve. Show the characteristics of a winning football team even if the starters are out. They'll finally get a team at home, in Green Bay for the first time all preseason. One would think we'll get their best effort going into final cutdown day.

As for Baltimore, they're a perennial winner and perennial very good preseason team. They also have a nice, new (to them) running back named Derrick Henry who just absolutely fits the Baltimore Ravens bill for how they like to run the football. I'm actually legitimately excited to see how he does there. He's a helluva fun RB to watch and is a bit of strength to the theme of speed elsewhere on their team.

Of course, there's also Lamar Jackson and who knows if we'll see him. It'd certainly be nice to see how the number 1 defense would do against him, but ultimately the game is for deciding who will and won't make the initial roster. But if the Packers are in need of a test to wrap up the preseason, they absolutely have one in Baltimore.

The Future

Saturday, August 24, noon kick Lombardi time from Lambeau Field in Green Bay. I doubt, again, we'll see starters in the game. But I know we'll see them in the joint practice where I fully expect a better effort from the good guys. Frankly, I'll be scrolling practice tweets with more energy than I'll be watching the game. At the very least, Saturday is one final opportunity to watch some of the camp battles play out. Backup QB, kicker, safety and offensive line are all spots where jobs can still be won.

It's a big week for a lot of players and I can't wait to see who rises to the occasion and earns a job. And after the game, the Philadelphia Eagles and a trip to Brazil are officially on the clock.