Ravens Turn to Third-String Quarterback Against Jaguars
Baltimore faces Jacksonville with Joe Fagnano at the helm after injuries sidelined both top passers, while the Jaguars seek a fifth win in six games.
By Noor Graham ·
Joe Fagnano will start for the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night, taking the field at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The third-string quarterback makes his second appearance of the season after injuries forced the team to look beyond its usual options. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Ravens have lost three consecutive games, falling from a 4-1 start to their current slump. Starting quarterback Lamar Jackson is out with a thumb injury, and backup Tyler Huntley is sidelined with a toe issue. This leaves Fagnano, who debuted last week in a loss to Buffalo, to lead the offense against a formidable opponent.
The Jaguars enter the game as 10-point road favorites, with the total points set at 40. Jacksonville is coming off a 42-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts and has won five of its last six games. The team is currently 5-2 and leads the AFC South by at least three games, as second-place Houston is 2-5.
Jacksonville has been dominant on the ground recently. Running back Bhayshul Tuten had a standout performance against the Colts, becoming the first Jaguars player since Maurice Jones-Drew in 2007 to record over 100 rushing yards, over 50 receiving yards, and at least two touchdowns in a single game. The team has gone 14-3 in its last 17 contests.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence leads the NFL in passer rating this season. He also holds the team record for the most touchdown passes through seven games of a season, with seven so far. Despite this success, Lawrence’s performance varies by location. His passer rating is 89.9 on the road compared to 120.6 at home this season. This will be Jacksonville’s first road game in a month.
SportsLine expert Jeff Hochman advised taking the points on the Ravens. He noted that Jacksonville’s run defense ranks last in the Run-Stop-Win Rate and that nose tackle Davon Hamilton is out. Starting edge rusher Travon Walker is playing through an injury. Hochman expects offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to use a simplified game plan focused on Derrick Henry, Mark Andrews, and quick screens to Zay Flowers.
The expert also pointed out that the Ravens have been focused during their losing streak. "The Ravens have lost three in a row and should be focused. Take the points," Hochman said. Meanwhile, expert R.J. White picked Justice Hill to have over 11.5 receiving yards, noting that Hill had eight targets last week and expects more checkdowns in this matchup.
