Jaguars vs. Ravens: Week 9 Preview and Prediction

November 5, 2026 • Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, NFL News

By Brian Hradsky

The Jacksonville Jaguars visit the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Nov. 5, with Baltimore turning to an undrafted rookie quarterback to stop a three-game losing streak. Joe Fagnano will make his first NFL start after injuries sidelined Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. Kickoff at M&T Bank Stadium is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. Eastern, with national coverage on Prime Video.

Jacksonville enters at 5-2, while Baltimore has slipped to 4-4. Those records give the visitors an opportunity to strengthen their position in the AFC and make this an important response game for the Ravens. Baltimore needs a complete performance around its new starter, especially after allowing at least 35 points in consecutive games.

How to watch Jaguars at Ravens

Baltimore must build a workable offense around Fagnano

The Ravens’ official game preview confirms the quarterback change and identifies protection and the running game as central concerns. That combination should shape Baltimore’s opening possessions. The Ravens need an approach that gives Fagnano clear reads, manageable distances and opportunities to complete passes before Jacksonville can dictate the tempo with pressure. Asking him to rescue repeated third-and-long situations would place the most difficult part of the offense on its least experienced player.

Derrick Henry gives Baltimore an obvious starting point, but a commitment to running means little without efficient blocking. The Ravens should look for gains that keep second down flexible instead of repeatedly forcing the ball into crowded fronts. Successful early runs would also make play-action more useful because Jacksonville would have a reason to step toward the line. If the Jaguars consistently stop Henry without adding defenders, Baltimore will need to find another way to create room for its rookie quarterback.

Zay Flowers offers one possible answer through quick throws, motion and opportunities to gain yards after the catch. Those concepts could let Fagnano establish rhythm while moving the defense horizontally. Baltimore still needs enough intermediate passing to keep Jacksonville from crowding every short route. A balanced plan should give Flowers accessible touches without making the next target obvious to defenders reading the quarterback’s eyes.

Protection becomes particularly important whenever the Ravens take those deeper opportunities. Fagnano needs to know where his outlet is and when an incomplete pass is the sensible outcome. Baltimore’s line must communicate through Jacksonville’s movement, especially on a short preparation week. An early sack that creates a long third down can affect the next several plays, so avoiding negative snaps matters as much as producing occasional highlights.

Jacksonville can make Baltimore defend the entire field

Trevor Lawrence gives Jacksonville an experienced quarterback against a defense trying to recover from consecutive difficult outings. The Jaguars should test Baltimore’s coverage discipline through a mix of routes rather than assuming every possession requires a deep shot. Completions underneath can draw defenders forward and create later opportunities behind them. Jacksonville’s objective should be sustained efficiency that forces the Ravens to execute repeatedly instead of relying on one spectacular play.

Baltimore’s defensive front can change that equation by making Lawrence uncomfortable without sacrificing coverage numbers. Controlled pressure is especially valuable because an undisciplined rush can open escape lanes or leave easy outlets uncovered. The Ravens need their defensive backs to tackle the first completion before it becomes a larger gain. If Jacksonville regularly turns modest throws into first downs, Baltimore’s offense could spend too much of the evening waiting for another possession.

The Jaguars also need to resist the temptation to become overly conservative simply because Baltimore has changed quarterbacks. A road favorite can give an opponent life through turnovers, stalled red-zone possessions and unnecessary penalties. Jacksonville should maintain its normal offensive standards and make Baltimore earn any favorable field position. The game becomes much less predictable if the Jaguars allow a defensive takeaway or special-teams mistake to replace a long scoring drive.

Injury report and availability

Baltimore’s final injury report lists Jackson, Huntley and safety Jaylinn Hawkins as out. Nate Wiggins is questionable, while Jacksonville lists running back Bhayshul Tuten and defensive end Travon Walker as questionable. Guard Vega Ioane has no game designation after his knee injury, giving Baltimore a potential lift inside. Those are the reported designations entering Thursday; the final inactive lists determine who dresses for kickoff.

Tuten’s availability could affect Jacksonville’s backfield distribution, while Walker’s status matters to the pressure Baltimore must manage. Wiggins’ status has implications for how the Ravens distribute coverage responsibilities against Lawrence. These are meaningful variables, but neither team should build its entire plan around one opponent being unavailable. The strongest preparation gives a team a workable answer for either version of the lineup.

Brian’s Take: Jacksonville has the clearer path

My pick is Jacksonville because its path to a productive offensive game appears more reliable entering this matchup. Baltimore can absolutely compete if Henry finds room, Fagnano avoids damaging mistakes and the defense gives him short fields. That is a reasonable winning formula, but it asks several units to improve together on a short week. Jacksonville has the better opportunity to make its opponent uncomfortable first and then control the choices available in the second half.

I expect Baltimore to use early movement and quick throws to help its new starter settle in. The decisive stretch could arrive when Jacksonville adjusts to that opening plan and forces the Ravens to create answers beyond the initial script. Baltimore’s chances improve substantially if its line wins enough individual blocks to keep Henry relevant throughout the night. My score prediction is Jaguars 27, Ravens 16, with the quarterback situation and Jacksonville’s ability to sustain drives providing the separation.

Follow our Jaguars coverage for more on Jacksonville. Our Ravens coverage follows Baltimore’s response throughout the season. Compare both teams in our Week 9 power rankings, and consult the official NFL schedule for the full slate.