Injuries to quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley have derailed Baltimore's season after being among the favourites for Super Bowl glory, and a short week has come at the worst possible time.
They are forced to field undrafted QB Joe Fagnano for his first start and they are heavy underdogs to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, who sit at the top of the AFC South after a commanding win over divisional rivals Indianapolis last week.
Baltimore Ravens v Jacksonville Jaguars Tips Summary
Best Bet - Jacksonville Jaguars -9.5 @ 100/119
Alternative Bet - Brenton Strange over 40 receiving yards @ 20/21
Bet Builder - Joe Fagnano to throw an interception, under 16.5 Baltimore points & Chris Rodriguez to score a touchdown @ 16/5
Baltimore Ravens v Jacksonville Jaguars Prediction
Best Bet: Jacksonville Jaguars -9.5 @ 100/119
Backing heavy favourites as away teams in night games can be a policy full of pitfalls, but it is hard to get away from Baltimore's problems.
Playing their third-choice quarterback on a short week puts the home side at a big disadvantage against a 5-2 outfit and there is little for Ravens backers to cling to as they entertain Jacksonville on Thursday Night Football.
Good defensive play could offer a ray of light, but they have conceded 71 points in their last two matches.
Additionally, Jacksonville have already shown their willingness to go for the jugular this season, as they did in Sunday's 42-7 win over the Indianapolis Colts, so they may not take their foot off the gas even though they don't need to win by 10 points.
Alternative Bet: Brenton Strange over 40 receiving yards @ 20/21
Buffalo tight end Dalton Kincaid enjoyed a great time against the Ravens last weekend, helping himself to 86 receiving yards and a touchdown.
That will not have escaped the Jaguars' attention, and they could heavily utilise Brenton Strange, who averages 47.7 yards per game this season and could gain more than 40 on Thursday night.
Baltimore Ravens v Jacksonville Jaguars Bet Builder Tip
Joe Fagnano to throw an interception
Under 16.5 Baltimore points
Chris Rodriguez to score a touchdown
Pays 16/5
It is a massive night for Fagnano and it seems likely there will be the odd mistake as he lines up under the national spotlight.
He completed 10 of 21 pass attempts against the Bills and threw an interception, so it would be a surprise if he wasn't the source of at least one turnover.
The Ravens have scored just 33 points in their last three defeats to Cleveland, Cincinnati and Buffalo as the wheels have come off their season, so it is realistic to expect they will not muster more than 16 against the Jaguars, who restricted the Colts to just seven last week.
Meanwhile, Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten is struggling with injury and he could be used sparingly even if he does don his uniform.
That should give Chris Rodriguez an opportunity, which he could seize by scoring another touchdown, as he has done in three of his last five appearances.
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Key Match Stats
The Ravens have failed to cover the spread on the last four occasions they have been home underdogs
The Jaguars' last three games on the road have all gone under the total-points line
Three of the Jaguars' five wins this season have been by margins of 24, 29 and 35 points
The Ravens have conceded 71 points in their last two matches
The Jaguars have covered the spread in five of their last six games on the road
Baltimore have won just one of their last five games against Jacksonville
Tactics, Form and Team News
Baltimore go into battle without quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley, which means the undrafted Fagnano will be under centre for the visit of the Jaguars.
Fagnano practised with a strapped ankle himself on Wednesday, but the Ravens are at least boosted by the availability of offensive linemen Vega Ioane and Ronnie Stanley, linebackers Roquan Smith and Trey Henderson as well as running back. However, safety Jaylinn Hawkins will be missing.
Jacksonville are waiting on the fitness of running back Bhayshul Tuten, whose participation will be a game-time decision as he nurses a foot injury. Offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland is expected to feature after a knee issue.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
