Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday night’s Week 15 game between the Ravens (10-3) and the Jaguars (8-5) at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.
Ravens 27, Jaguars 20: The Ravens’ trip to Jacksonville last year was a memorable one, as the Jaguars scored a touchdown with 14 seconds remaining and added a 2-point conversion before Justin Tucker missed a 67-yard field goal attempt as time expired in a 28-27 win. This one shouldn’t be quite as close, even with quarterback Trevor Lawrence expected to play. Baltimore has played its best in big games and this one qualifies as the Ravens look to beat the AFC South leaders and inch closer to locking up the top seed in the conference. The Ravens’ offense has also been humming, particularly through the air with Lamar Jackson, and the Jaguars have allowed the second-most passing yards per game in the league. They’ve been much tougher against the run, allowing the third-fewest rushing yards per game, but the Ravens also boast the league’s top ground attrack. And Baltimore’s defense is still giving up the second-fewest points per game.
Ravens 27, Jaguars 21: Despite reports, Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence can’t be 100%, not with a high ankle sprain. The Jaguars have enough offense to hang around for maybe three quarters, but the Ravens should be able to pull away with a strong running game in the fourth. December is the month when good teams start winning and building momentum for a playoff run. Jacksonville has lost two straight.
Ravens 30, Jaguars 24: Will Trevor Lawrence make fewer mistakes against the Ravens’ pressure than he did last weekend against the Browns? If not, it’s difficult to see where the Jaguars have a matchup advantage against the Ravens, who have been a better all-around team for the past two months. Lamar Jackson simply has more ways to win against a slumping Jacksonville defense.
Ravens 34, Jaguars 23: Perhaps Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will feel better two weeks removed from an ankle injury, but even Lawrence at full strength would have a tough time against this Ravens defense. With leading receiver Christian Kirk on injured reserve, running back Travis Etienne Jr. nursing a rib injury and instability along the offensive line, it’s hard to envision Jacksonville being able to keep up with the Ravens, especially with the way Lamar Jackson and company are playing right now. The Jags’ best hope is tight end Evan Engram, who had a career-high-tying 11 catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns against the Browns last week to continue a standout season. He could create matchup problems if star safety Kyle Hamilton is limited by his knee injury or can’t play.
Ravens 31, Jaguars 20: The Jaguars were humming in October with five straight wins. Since then, they’ve been blown out by the 49ers, hung on to beat the Texans by three and are coming off two straight losses to the Bengals and Browns by a combined seven points. Trevor Lawrence threw three interceptions in last week’s loss to Cleveland and is hobbled by an ankle injury he suffered against Cincinnati, and this is not the defense you want to face when you’re slowed by a lower-leg injury. This is a middle-of-the-road offense when healthy. The Ravens have shown no signs of slowing down offensively and should have no issues scoring. These are teams trending in opposite directions.
