Preview: Ravens Travel to Jacksonville Looking to Win Fifth Straight

The Baltimore Ravens enter their week 12 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars looking to extend their win streak to five games. The Ravens currently sit at 7-3 still in first place in the AFC North. The Jaguars enter Sunday’s contest 3-7 in third place in the AFC South. The Jaguars should be well rested on Sunday as they come off their week 11 bye, and have no players listed on their injury report.

The Ravens on the other hand have several key players on the injury report this week. Cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (hip) has been ruled out. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley who injured his ankle, and had to leave the game against the Panthers, has also been ruled out for Sunday. Rookie tight end Isaiah Likely was limited in practice on Friday with and ankle injury and has been listed as out for Sunday, meaning rookie tight end Charlie Kolar is expected to make it season debut after missing the entire offseason after having hernia surgery.

Wide receiver Devin Duvernay (hamstring) and fellow receiver Demarcus Robinson (hip) are both listed as questionable but are expected to play. Running back Gus Edwards (hamstring/knee) is questionable but is expected to play after missing last weeks game. Rookie first-round pick Kyle Hamilton (knee) has been listed as questionable although he did not practice this week making his availability for Sunday unlikely.

Patrick Queen

The emergence of Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen has been something Ravens fans have been waiting for since Queen was drafted in the first-round in 2020. In ten game Queen has 70 total tackles, four sacks, and 5.5 tackles for loss. In his third year Queen looks much more decisive in his reads and has also been much improved in defensing against the pass, having had three pass deflections and one interception this far this season.

But Queens play the last two games has been some of the best football he has played as a Raven. Much of Queen’s recent success can be attributed to newly acquired linebacker Roquan Smith. The ability by Queen and Smith to play off of each other and free the other up has been great for a Ravens defense that gave up only three points last week. Queen now looks to continue to build off his recent success and change the narrative that has often surrounded him here in Baltimore.

Travon Walker

2022 number one overall pick, defensive end Travon Walker, hasn’t gotten much hype this season like most number one picks normally do. In ten games the former Georgia Bulldog has just 36 total tackles, and a disappointing 2.5 sacks, not the kind of production you are looking for from your number one overall pick. The Jaguars currently have the 23rd ranked defense in the NFL and are ranked 30th in total sacks with just 16. Walker will have a tough task on Sunday playing the edge, and will need to remain disciplined against a Ravens run first attack.

While Walker’s career is still young and he still has the remainder of the season to improve upon a slow start to his NFL career. It will be interesting to see if Walker its the proverbial “rookie wall”, and what that will mean for him the rest of the season.

Prediction

The Ravens struggled offensively last week against the Panthers, with the Ravens defense leading the charge in a low scoring affair. While the return of Gus Edwards should help the offense it won’t help enough to make Sunday’s game a complete blowout. The Ravens still lack a true threat at the wide receiver position and with Duvernay and Robinson both questionable with injury. The Ravens run game will need to pick up the slack if they wish to avoid the upset against the Jaguars.The Jaguars have the 11th ranked rush defense giving up 110 rushing yards per game. It must be a group effort by this Ravens offense as they look to get back on track for the stretch run.

The defense will once again need to lead the way as they face off against former number one overall pick Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars rank ninth in average yards per game, mostly led by its rushing attack that averages just under 140 yards per game, seventh in the NFL. The Ravens will need to stack the box against Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, and pressure Lawrence much like the did Baker Mayfield.

While the score appears close the game will never be in doubt for the Ravens as they win their fifth straight defeating the Jaguars 24-13.

Line: Baltimore -3.5

Over/Under: 43.5

All-Time Record: Jacksonville leads series 12-10

Last Meeting: 12/20/2020 Baltimore 40-14