When Joe Fagano was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted rookie at the start of this season, few people would have imagined he would be starting an NFL game, but that is the situation.
After a long wait for Lamar Jackson to return to full fitness, the Ravens' star quarterback immediately injured his thumb and will miss at least the next four weeks. Back-up Tyler Huntley went down with a toe injury and is also on the injured reserve.
That leaves Fagano, who will become just the second undrafted rookie in franchise history to start a game, even though he is dealing with an ankle injury of his own.
If things weren't bad enough already for the 4-4 Ravens, they are facing a Jacksonville Jaguars team that has looked like a serious AFC contender this season.
The 5-2 Jags travel to Baltimore for Thursday Night Football and a game that looks much more one-sided than it would have not long ago.
Jaguars vs. Ravens Betting Picks & Predictions
Jacksonville -9.5 (-119)
The Jacksonville Jaguars haven't needed much help to reach a 5-2 record, but they will get a boatload of it in this Week 9 game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Injuries to Jackson and Huntley mean that undrafted rookie Fagano will start for the Ravens on a short week with an injured ankle.
This Baltimore team have failed to score more than 13 points in their last three and are facing what has been one of the strongest teams in the league this season.
The Jags' only losses have been narrow defeats to the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans, both of which went deep in the play-offs last year, and they have dominated lesser teams. Jacksonville have put up 73 points in their last two outings and have also had a lights-out defense.
The Jags are 12-3-1 against the spread in their last 16 games as favorites and look set to rack up the score on the Ravens in this one.
Jacksonville have wins by 24, 29 and 35 points already this season and they are unlikely to take their foot off the gas against an undrafted rookie quarterback who looks out of his depth.
A 9.5 spread on the road is a big one but there is every reason to believe that the Jags can cover in this preferential spot.
Derrick Henry over 18.5 rushing attempts (-105)
Fagano played most of the Ravens' blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills last week, going 10 of 21 for 91 yards and an interception.
On a short week and also nursing an ankle injury, the Ravens' coaching staff is unlikely to give the undrafted rookie many chances to make mistakes and Baltimore look set to run the ball heavily.
In Derrick Henry they have one of the best running backs in the league and one who is averaging 19.8 rushing attempts per game. The Ravens will turn to Henry more often than not and his rushing attempts line looks low.
Brenton Strange to score a touchdown (+225)
The Ravens' offense has not been their only concern, with their defense allowing 71 points in the last two weeks.
They have struggled to contain tight ends, allowing six touchdowns to them this season, and that makes this a strong spot to side with Brenton Strange to record a touchdown.
The Jags tight end has 35 targets this season for 334 yards and his importance to this team has grown in recent weeks. A second touchdown of the season could be on the cards.
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Jaguars vs. Ravens Odds
JAX Jaguars | -550 |
BAL Ravens | +400 |
Spread | JAX Jaguars -9.5 |
Total | O/U 40.5 |
Jaguars vs. Ravens player props
Anytime touchdown
Bhayshul Tuten (JAX Jaguars) | -110 |
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (JAX Jaguars) | -110 |
Derrick Henry (BAL Ravens) | +110 |
Parker Washington (JAX Jaguars) | +135 |
Brenton Strange (JAX Jaguars) | +225 |
Jakobi Meyers (JAX Jaguars) | +265 |
Zay Flowers (BAL Ravens) | +310 |
Trevor Lawrence (JAX Jaguars) | +350 |
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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.
