The Jacksonville Jaguars vs Ravens Week 9 matchup arrives Thursday, Nov. 5 at M&T Bank Stadium with Baltimore facing a serious quarterback question. The Ravens are 4-4 and dealing with the loss of two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, while the 5-2 Jaguars look to build on a hot stretch that includes a 42-7 rout of the Colts. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
Jackson injured his right thumb on the first play from scrimmage in Week 8 against Buffalo, hurt on a follow-through while being hit by pass rusher Greg Rousseau. Ravens head coach Jesse Minter announced Jackson will have surgery and go on injured reserve, according to CBS Sports. That loss, combined with Baltimore’s recent form, sets up a pivotal Thursday night test for a Jacksonville team that has been one of the better stories of the season. For more on the Jaguars’ roster situation, see the DaVon Hamilton injury update.
Jaguars Vs Ravens Game Information
- Date: Thursday, Nov. 5
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
- TV/Streaming: Prime Video
- Weather: 64 degrees, 29% chance of precipitation
Who Starts At Quarterback For Baltimore?
Backup Tyler Huntley suffered a toe injury in Week 8 and his status for Thursday is uncertain, according to CBS Sports. The official injury report does not list Huntley among Baltimore’s questionable players, but the Ravens’ depth chart behind Jackson remains unsettled. Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano, listed as questionable with a left ankle injury, may be in line to start if both Jackson and Huntley are unavailable, per CBS Sports. Huntley’s season numbers, 76 of 110 passing for 727 yards with four touchdowns and one interception, represent Baltimore’s current statistical lead at the position since Jackson’s exit.
What Does Jacksonville’s Injury Report Look Like?
The Jaguars list five players as questionable heading into Thursday: linebacker Branson Combs (shoulder), cornerback Jarrian Jones (ankle), receiver Jakobi Meyers (hamstring), running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (hand) and running back Bhayshul Tuten (ankle). Tuten leads Jacksonville in rushing with 492 yards and three touchdowns on 110 carries, so his ankle designation is worth tracking into Thursday’s lineup announcements. Trevor Lawrence has completed 130 of 198 passes for 1,690 yards with 17 touchdowns against four interceptions, numbers that have powered the Jaguars’ offense to 28 points per game this season.
How Have Both Teams Trended Recently?
Jacksonville has won four of its last five games, including a 35-6 win over New England, a 22-17 road win at Cincinnati and the 42-7 rout of Indianapolis last week. The lone blemish in that stretch was a 34-31 loss to Houston. Baltimore has lost three of its last four, falling 13-10 at Cleveland, 35-13 to Cincinnati at home and 36-10 at Buffalo in Week 8, the game in which Jackson was hurt.
The Ravens’ only win in that span came in overtime at Atlanta, 30-23. Jacksonville was ranked No. 6 in NFL power rankings during its bye week, slipping one spot as Cincinnati jumped ahead, according to Yahoo Sports, which also noted the Jaguars’ close loss to Houston in London preceded the break.
Jaguars Outlook
Jacksonville’s turnover differential of plus-7 stands out as the best gap between the two teams and reflects an offense protecting the ball, with only five giveaways through seven games against 12 takeaways on defense. Lawrence’s 111.5 passer rating and the team’s 48.24% third-down conversion rate have kept Jacksonville’s offense on schedule, a big reason it is averaging 28 points per game. The Jaguars enter at 5-2 and atop the AFC South standings with a .714 win percentage, their only losses coming by a combined margin decided in single scores.
Ravens Outlook
Baltimore sits at 4-4 and fourth in the AFC North, a stretch complicated by the quarterback uncertainty following Jackson’s injury. Derrick Henry remains the engine of the offense with 632 yards and eight touchdowns on 158 carries, giving Baltimore 133.5 rushing yards per game, its best statistical category relative to Jacksonville. The Ravens’ defense has forced takeaways at a modest rate, averaging just one per game, while their own giveaways also average one per game, leaving the turnover battle even heading into Thursday.
Key Matchup
The central question is how Jacksonville’s defense handles Derrick Henry and Baltimore’s rushing attack behind whichever quarterback starts. Henry’s 632 rushing yards and eight touchdowns anchor an offense that may lean on the run if Fagnano or an uncertain Huntley is under center. Jacksonville’s defense has racked up 12 takeaways in seven games, a differential that could be tested by a Baltimore offense built around ball control rather than downfield passing in a backup quarterback scenario.
Players To Watch
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars
Lawrence has thrown 17 touchdowns against four interceptions this season, completing 65.2% of his passes for 1,698 yards and an 8.4 yards-per-attempt average that leads Jacksonville’s offense.
Derrick Henry, RB, Ravens
Henry’s 632 rushing yards and eight touchdowns make him Baltimore’s most consistent offensive weapon, a role that could grow in importance depending on who plays quarterback Thursday.
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jaguars
Tuten leads Jacksonville with 492 rushing yards and three touchdowns but is listed as questionable with an ankle injury heading into Thursday’s game.
What To Watch
Jacksonville leads the AFC South at 5-2 and can further separate itself from Houston, Indianapolis and Tennessee with a road win over a divisional rival from the AFC North. Baltimore, at 4-4, is fighting to stay within range of Pittsburgh and Cincinnati atop its own division while navigating a quarterback change. The Ravens’ offensive line also carries questionable designations for tackle Roger Rosengarten and guard John Simpson, both dealing with leg injuries, adding uncertainty to protection for whoever starts at quarterback. For more on Jacksonville’s recent form, read the recap of the Jaguars’ 42-7 win over the Colts.
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