Baltimore Ravens: Score Prediction vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Baltimore Ravens get back to work this Sunday with a home game against former AFC Central foe, the Jacksonville Jaguars, looking for a win to keep any slim playoff chances alive.

Both teams enter the contest with identical 2-6 records and desperately needing a win. The Jaguars are in better shape as they are still alive in the AFC South race. The Ravens have a much tougher road to sneak into the postseason.

The thought of Baltimore getting in is shocking, honestly. If the season was over today, the Ravens would be have a top 10 pick in the draft. There are several teams ahead of them that hold tiebreakers. That has not wavered the confidence of the Ravens players and coaches who are talking about running the table.

“That’s why it’s going to feel so much greater when we finally make it, coming back from this record and the first eight games of this season,” Jimmy Smith said. “Let’s make some history.”

The Ravens welcome the Jaguars having won six straight home games against the two teams, including the 20-12 win last season. Number seven should be in the cards this week.

The Jaguars have lost 14 straight games on the road and I anticipate that number to climb to 15 this week against the Ravens.

In our five keys to victory, we touched on the play of the Jaguars offense that is not lacking playmakers. Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns are both among league leaders in receptions, yards and touchdowns. T.J. Yeldon has been running the ball effectively. It’s important that the defense keeps these guys in check.

They also need to get pressure on Blake Bortles. The second-year quarterback has shown flashes of brilliance, but is still prone to making mistakes. He has thrown six interceptions and lost three fumbles over the past three games. It will be important that the Ravens get to Bortles and force some mistakes. Baltimore’s defense has not forced a turnover since Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals. 

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Expect Joe Flacco and the wide receivers to make just enough plays to earn a victory. They had an extra week to prepare for this game and will be counted on down the stretch with the injuries to Steve Smith and Breshad Perriman. Chris Givens was brought to Baltimore to stretch the field and Flacco throws one of the best deep balls in the game. I see a long touchdown pass coming this week.

If you live in Baltimore, you are starting to feel that chill in the air. This is the time of the year that the Ravens need Justin Forsett to get it going on the ground.

Baltimore is confident, but shouldn’t take this Jaguars team is a down game. The Ravens need to come out strong and make an early statement. They also need to finish the game as they have been guilty of allowing teams back into games late. Both teams have lost a lot of close games this season.

A loss this week would be a major blow to a team showing a lot of confidence. That won’t be the case, however, and the Ravens get their third win of the season.