Baltimore Ravens vs Jacksonville Jaguars: 3 Bold Predictions

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Dec 7, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker C.J. Mosley (left) and inside linebacker Daryl Smith (right) on the bench during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Ravens won 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens have had little trouble dealing with bad teams this year, as they have yet to lose to a team with a losing record this year. Don’t expect that to change against the Jacksonville Jaguars and their rookie quarterback.

So there’s one prediction: The Ravens will win. That’s not especially bold though. Here are three predictions that are.

There will be a Tyrod Taylor sighting

With the playoffs in sight and a blow out likely, there is no reason for Joe Flacco to play the whole game once it’s been decided. That means Ravens’ fans should get another look at backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

Also playing into this prediction is the fact that Jacksonville has a fierce pass rush. Despite a struggling secondary, the Jags have sacked opposing quarterbacks 38 times this season. That’s a pretty high number for a team that has struggled so much otherwise.

Even if the rest of the offense is humming, the Ravens will probably surrender some pressure. The Ravens have to hope for either a tremendous game from the offensive line or a big enough lead to put in Taylor. Both of those scenarios could very well happen.

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The Ravens will hold the Jaguars to under 20 rushing yards

Toby Gerhart? Storm Johnson? Jordan Todman? Not scary. When the Jaguars lost Denard Robinson, they lost their only threatening running back. With a struggling offensive line, the Jaguars could very well rush for a single digit yardage total. I am not so bold as to predict that, but I could see the Ravens holding the Jags to under 20 rushing yards, even without Haloti Ngata.

Timmy Jernigan, Brandon Williams and Chris Canty, with help from Lawrence Guy and the linebacking corps, should be up to the task of stuffing the run. Once the Ravens make the Jaguars one-dimensional, the game is their’s.

Marqise Lee will make at least one “wow” play

The play of their rookie receivers, Marqise Lee and the injured Allen Robinson, has been one of the bright spots of the Jaguars’ season. Lee has proven capable of making highlight reel plays, capable of catching the deep ball or making plays after the catch.

His last three games, Lee has gone for 52, 75 and 67 yards. In each game he has managed at least one 30-yard play. Expect at least one more from Lee against the Ravens’ porous secondary.