Strong Second Half Pushes Ravens Past Jaguars

The 10-3 Baltimore Ravens traveled to Jacksonville Sunday night to take on the 8-5 Jaguars. It was a playoff like atmosphere between two division leading team and two teams in the mix for the number one overall seed. For the Ravens win would make them the first team in the AFC to clinch a playoff spot. While the Jaguars were looking to stay a game up in the AFC south.

It was a slow start by both teams as a Justin Tucker 43-yard field goal would be the only difference through the first quarter. But while the Ravens had the lead, it was the Jaguars who seemingly had the momentum for the duration of the first half. Mistakes however would keep them off the board. Jaguars kicker Brandon McManus missed from both 50 and 55 in the first half.

A late second quarter fumble in Ravens territory by Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, recovered by Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet, again kept the Jaguars off the board. The turnover would prove to be costly as not only did it kill a promising Jaguars drive, but it would lead to the Ravens first touchdown on the night. With 1:12 to play in the first half, Jackson would find his tight end Isaiah Likely for the 16-yards score to extend the Ravens lead 10-3.

With no timeouts left the Jaguars were aggressive in trying to get some kind of momentum back in their favor before halftime. Thanks to a Brandon Stephens pass interference penalty the Jaguars got down to the Ravens 48 yard line with 39 second left. A Zay Jones 36 yard leaping over Stephens would set up the Jaguars with at the Ravens five yard line with just 11 seconds to play. However Lawrence opted not to spike the ball instead throwing to his receiver Parker Washington who was immediately tackle by Ravens safety Marcus Williams in bounds causing the clock to run out and end the half, again keeping the Jaguars from getting points.

The Ravens appeared lucky to be up heading into the half, but the second half would tell the tale in what kind of team the 2023 Ravens are. After an eight play punt by the Ravens on their first offensive possession, it looked as though it was the Jaguars that made the adjustment. On the fifth play of the drive Lawrence found return ace and wide receiver Jamal Agnew wide open on a busted coverage for a 65-yard score to cut the Ravens lead 10-7midway through the third quarter.

After the teams traded punts, the Ravens would find the end zone again as Gus Edwards would cap off a quick five play 58-yard drive with a one-yard rushing score is 11th on the year.

With the score now 17-7, the Jaguars were in no way out of it, but a strong second half by the Ravens pass rush put Lawrence in scramble mode forcing him to run instead of pass and fail to connect on throws he was hitting earlier in the game.

Another field goal by Tucker with just over eight minuted to play in the fourth quarter extended the Ravens lead 20-7. Needing a score the Jaguars would once again make a mistake as Lawrence was strip sacked by Justin Madubuike, recovered by Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen all but sealing the Ravens victory.

The Ravens would add another field goal to go up 23-7 with 6:05 left to play, and after Jaguars 13-play 55 yard drive stalled on fourth down at the Ravens 13-yard line. The Ravens were able to run out the rest of the clock to come away with the 23-7 win and move to 11-3.

All though the Ravens win wasn’t pretty especially in the first half, Lamar Jackson showed why he is a strong MVP candidate as his ability to not only use his legs rushing for nearly 100 yards, but his timely passing in clutch moments kept the Ravens alive to score points to pull further out in front. The loss of star rookie running back Keaton Mitchell for the year after a devastating knee injury is a big blow to this offense that began to rely heavily on his outside running attack. But Gus Edwards and Justice Hill carried the load along with Jackson to rush for 200 yards in the second half. With Mitchell’s injury, practice squad running back Melvin Gordon will be activated to the 53-man roster to take his place. Gordon has rushed for 53 yards on 13 carries in two games this season.

The Ravens defense on the other hand had a bend but don’t break mentality all night that led to them holding Trevor Lawrence to 25-of-43 passing for 264 yards. While holding the Jaguars to just seven points, their lowest total of the season. The Ravens defense will be called upon heavily these next two weeks as they face to of the top offenses in the 49ers and Dolphins, which will give a true assessment to how they stack up moving forward into the postseason.

Sunday nights win keeps the Ravens in sole possession of the number one overall seed in the AFC as they get set to travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers. Many experts believe next Monday nights game to be a early Super Bowl preview and could be a big statement win for the Ravens should they prevail on Christmas night.

Notable Injuries:

Keaton Mitchell (knee)- Season Ending

Ronnie Stanley (concussion)- Protocol

Jalyn Armour-Davis (concussion)- Protocol

Marcus Williams (groin)- Day-to-Day

Games Notes:

Safety Kyle Hamilton led all Ravens with seven total tackles.

Defensive lineman Justin Madubuike tied an NFL record with his 11th straight game recording a sack.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson led all Ravens with 97 rushing yards.

For the fifth time this year the Ravens held their opponent to under double digit points.

Sunday’s win clinched a playoff berth for the 11th time under head coach Johns Harbaugh.