Baltimore Ravens vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Odds, Prediction, & Pick
Ravens vs. Jaguars Odds
| Ravens Odds | -3.5 |
| Jaguars Odds | +3.5 |
| Over/Under | 40.5 |
| Date | Sun, Dec. 17 |
| Time | 8:20 p.m. |
| TV | NBC |
Today’s NFL slate will conclude with a matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday Night Football. Entering play, Baltimore is 10-3 and holds sole possession of the 1-seed in the AFC playoff picture. The Jaguars are 8-5 and need a win to remain alone at the top of the AFC South division.
Ahead of kickoff in this matchup, oddsmakers have priced the Ravens as 3.5-point favorites on the spread. The total for this contest is set at over/under 40.5 points.
Let’s take a deeper look at the matchup to see where NFL bettors can find value at sportsbooks in this contest.
Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson playing at an elite level
Prior to 2023, Lamar Jackson never threw for more than 3,127 yards in a single season, but he has an opportunity to set a new career high tonight on national television. Since Week 6, Jackson is 6th in EPA/play and 6th in success rate as a passer among qualified quarterbacks, which does not even include his contributions as a runner. During that stretch, he has run for 379 yards.
As a result, Baltimore’s offense has been thriving, ranking 3rd in EPA/play and 3rd in success rate across their last eight games. Facing an injury-plagued Jacksonville defense tonight, Baltimore should have little trouble moving the football.
Baltimore defense healthy, looking to clinch playoff berth
Baltimore’s defense is healthier heading into Week 15 than it has been at any point this fall. Still, the Ravens defense ranks 2nd in EPA/play and 5th in success rate this year. The Ravens allowed 31 points to the Rams in Week 14 but held the Bengals and Chargers to a combined 30 points in Week 11 and Week 12 heading into their bye. If the Ravens can continue to get defensive pressure at a high rate, they are likely to make life extremely difficult for Trevor Lawrence and company this evening.
Jacksonville Jaguars
What to expect from Trevor Lawrence
In Week 13, Trevor Lawrence left the game early due to injury, and then he looked far less than 100 percent in Week 14 in a loss to the Browns. In the defeat, Lawrence completed only 28 of 50 pass attempts and threw three interceptions. Lawrence was a full participant at practice this week, but it is likely that he is still far from completely healthy going into tonight’s matchup against the Ravens.
In addition to Lawrence being banged up, the Jaguars have multiple starting offensive linemen who have been limited at practice this week due to injury. Notably, Ezra Cleveland and Walker Little are both listed as questionable for tonight’s matchup.
Jacksonville defense dealing with injury bug
On Sunday night, the Jaguars will be without starting cornerback Tyson Campbell and starting safety Andre Cisco. Campbell has been close to league average in coverage this year, but ranks 4th out of 106 players at his position against the run. From Week 1 to Week 5 with Campbell on the field, the Jaguars’ run defense ranked 4th in EPA and 4th in success rate. From Week 6 to Week 12 with Campbell in and out of the lineup, Jacksonville’s run defense ranked 28th in EPA/play and 5th in success rate. Cisco is a bigger loss for Jacksonville’s secondary unit. He ranks 29th out of 94 players at his position in coverage grade this season per PFF.
Ravens vs. Jaguars – Picks & Predictions
Though both of these teams have a winning record, there is a clear difference in terms of talent and health between the Ravens and Jaguars. Baltimore enters play healthy on both sides of the ball while ranking in the top eight in offensive and defensive EPA/play since Week 6. Jacksonville has a banged-up starting quarterback, multiple starting offensive lineman listed as questionable, and multiple defensive starters already ruled out for this contest. Buy the hook to get push potential if this game comes down to a field goal, but do not be surprised if the Ravens win this game comfortably.
PICK: Ravens -3 (-125, Fanatics Sportsbook)
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