Jaguairs face Ravens with third-string starter at home

The Baltimore Ravens are set to take the field on Thursday with a quarterback who has not started a regular season game in the NFL since the 2023 campaign. Joe Fagnano is expected to lead the offense at M&T Bank Stadium, a necessity born from injuries that have sidelined the team's first two signal callers. This matchup pits a 5-2 Jacksonville Jaguars squad against a Baltimore unit that has lost three straight games.

The injury report for Baltimore is heavy. Lamar Jackson is inactive due to a thumb injury, while Tyler Huntley is out with a toe problem. These absences force the Ravens to rely on Fagnano, who made his debut in last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills. The betting markets reflect the gap between the two teams, listing Jacksonville as 10-point road favorites with a total points line of 40.

The Jaguars arrive in Maryland following a 42-7 dismantling of the Indianapolis Colts. They are currently the only team in the NFL leading their division by at least three games, holding a clear edge over the second-place Houston Texans, who are 2-5. Jacksonville has posted a 14-3 record in its last 17 games, a stretch that includes back-to-back Thursday Night Football victories.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence leads the league in passer rating and holds the Jaguars team record for touchdown passes through seven games, with seven on the board. In the win over Indianapolis, running back Bhayshul Tuten became the first Jaguar since Maurice Jones-Drew in 2007 to rush for over 100 yards, catch for over 50 yards, and score at least two touchdowns in a single contest.

SportsLine analyst Jeff Hochman argues that the Jaguars' defensive issues could allow Baltimore to compete. He notes that Jacksonville ranks last in the league in Run-Stop-Win Rate. Key defenders such as nose tackle Davon Hamilton are out, and edge rusher Travon Walker is playing through an injury. Hochman expects Baltimore to run a simplified offense centered on Derrick Henry, Mark Andrews, and quick passes to Zay Flowers.

Hochman also points out that Lawrence's passer rating has dropped on the road, sitting at 89.9 away compared to 120.6 at home this season. This is Jacksonville's first road game in a month, and it follows a short week. Hochman sees these factors benefiting a Baltimore team that has lost three in a row.

Another betting angle involves Justice Hill receiving over 11.5 yards. Analyst R.J. White suggests that the Ravens' status as home underdogs may open up the passing game. Hill drew eight targets in last week's loss, resulting in 20 yards in a game where Baltimore managed only 91 passing yards overall. He also had 26 yards on three catches against the Bengals the week before, marking his fifth straight game with at least three targets.

The Ravens started the season with a 4-1 record before their recent slide. The Jaguars, meanwhile, have found success through short fields and defensive takeaways. The two teams will meet at 8:15 p.m. ET, with Jacksonville seeking a fifth win in its last six games and Baltimore attempting to halt a losing streak that has seen them drop to their third-string quarterback.