The Ravens have gained 4 straight whereas the Jaguars have misplaced six of their final seven. So this one needs to be simple, proper? Not so quick. Jacksonville has a formidable offense when quarterback Trevor Lawrence is on his recreation. Will the underdogs maintain any benefits of their matchup with the Ravens?
Ravens passing recreation vs. Jaguars cross protection
In the midst of a sloppy offensive efficiency, Lamar Jackson related on all 9 of his throws to extensive receiver Demarcus Robinson within the Ravens’ 13-3 win over the Carolina Panthers. Robinson has emerged because the workforce’s prime outdoors menace within the absence of Rashod Bateman. Tight finish Mark Andrews additionally got here again from every week misplaced to damage in fantastic kind, enjoying 64 of 69 offensive snaps and catching six passes on eight targets. The Ravens appear to have forgotten extensive receiver Devin Duvernay, who began the season so properly. Jackson has focused him simply as soon as in every of the final two video games. Rookie tight finish Isaiah Likely additionally pale to the background with Andrews within the lineup, catching one cross for one yard on three targets. With a paucity of cross catching expertise in comparison with different prime contenders, the Ravens must squeeze extra out of the receivers they do have. Their cross safety, so good in current weeks, suffered a blow when left sort out Ronnie Stanley left the Carolina recreation with an ankle damage. Patrick Mekari has performed properly as a stand-in, however Stanley’s elite cross blocking and mobility are important.
The Ravens will face one of many league’s worst cross defenses after they journey to Jacksonville. The Jaguars rank twelfth in pressures per drop-back however have simply 16 sacks to indicate for it. They have a couple of gifted starters in cornerback Tyson Campbell, a second-round choose in 2021, and outdoors linebacker Josh Allen, a first-round choose in 2020. Devin Lloyd is a prolific playmaker within the center, although he struggles in protection. They don’t have a variety of defenders who scare anyone.
EDGE: Ravens
Jaguars passing recreation vs. Ravens cross protection
Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 general choose in 2021, has been erratic in his second season, mixing sensible video games in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Chargers with stinkers in opposition to the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans. The Jaguars are inclined to rise and fall along with his efficiency, however their offense is certainly not toothless, rating eleventh in cross DVOA, per Football Outsiders. Wide receiver Christian Kirk (52 catches on 82 targets, 679 yards, seven touchdowns) is Lawrence’s favourite goal. Wide receivers Zay Jones (47 catches on 65 targets) and tight finish Evan Engram (36 catches on 51 targets) have additionally produced as beneath choices. Jacksonville’s cross safety, anchored by tackles Cam Robinson and Jawaan Taylor, is stable.
The Jaguars will face a Baltimore protection that gave the Panthers suits on Sunday, sacking Baker Mayfield 4 occasions and choosing him off twice. The Ravens blitz much less often and generate fewer pressures than the Jaguars however rank eighth within the league with 31 sacks, an equation they’ll fortunately settle for. Outside linebacker Justin Houston leads them with 9 sacks, whereas fellow veteran Jason Pierre-Paul performed his finest recreation as a Raven in opposition to Carolina, with two tackles for loss and an interception. Inside linebackers Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith have additionally produced as cross rushers in coordinator Mike Macdonald’s scheme. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey basically eradicated any Panthers receiver who got here his method and helped seal the win along with his third interception of the season. Marcus Peters’ fourth-quarter strip, in the meantime, arrange the Ravens’ solely landing. The Ravens, now eighth in cross DVOA, will miss rookie Kyle Hamilton, who had change into their main choice at nickel again, if he’s unable to go in opposition to the Jaguars after he harm his knee in opposition to Carolina.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens operating recreation vs. Jaguars run protection
The Ravens averaged simply 3.8 yards per carry in opposition to a Carolina protection that was geared to chop off their outdoors lanes and spy on Jackson’s each step. They nonetheless common 5.4 yards per carry general, second within the league, and had run for a minimum of 150 yards in eight straight video games earlier than assembly the Panthers. They hope to have their strongest runner, Gus Edwards, again from a hamstring damage in opposition to Jacksonville. Kenyan Drake (390 yards, 4.7 yards per carry) was operating again No. 1 of their final two video games, although Jackson (666 yards, 6.9 yards per carry) is at all times crucial on this floor assault. He was sick going into the Carolina recreation and completed with a subpar 31 yards on 11 carries.
The Jaguars rank fifteenth in run DVOA and permit simply 4.2 yards per carry, although the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles each gouged them for greater than 200 speeding yards. Lloyd is an efficient run defender at linebacker, whereas 6-foot-4, 320-pound defensive sort out Davon Hamilton is Jacksonville’s finest inside run stuffer.
EDGE: Ravens
Jaguars operating recreation vs. Ravens run protection
The Jaguars will current a major problem to a Baltimore protection that has not allowed an opponent to hurry for greater than 50 yards since Week 7. Travis Etienne is a dynamic runner who averages 5.5 yards per carry and 72.5 yards per recreation. His Pro Football Focus run grade of 90 ranks fourth amongst all operating backs. Lawrence (4.8 yards per carry, three touchdowns) can also be a menace if left unattended.
The Ravens smothered a stable Carolina operating assault and have performed with elevated velocity and ferocity of their two video games for the reason that commerce for Smith. He and Queen mixed for 19 tackles in opposition to the Panthers with each enjoying each defensive snap. Defensive finish Calais Campbell and defensive sort out Justin Madubuike grade as excellent run defenders on the inside. The Ravens enable simply 4.1 yards per carry, seventh finest within the league.
EDGE: Even
Ravens particular groups vs. Jaguars particular groups
The Ravens proceed to guide the league in special-teams DVOA. Justin Tucker has made 20 of twenty-two subject aim makes an attempt, along with his solely misses coming from 56 and 61 yards. Duvernay is the league’s finest returner, although he has managed simply 5 return yards over the past two video games. Rookie punter Jordan Stout has raised his recreation after an inconsistent begin, placing 15 of his 36 kicks contained in the opponent’s 20-yard line.
The Jaguars rank thirteenth in particular groups DVOA because of good work from kickoff returner Jamal Agnew and punter Logan Cooke. Kicker Eddy Pineiro has made 18 of 20 subject aim makes an attempt, although he has tried only one from 50 yards or past and has missed two further factors. Kicker Riley Patterson, alternatively, has missed 4 of 18 subject aim makes an attempt with three of these coming inside 50 yards.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens intangibles vs. Jaguars intangibles
The Ravens have gained 4 in a row and are gaining confidence that they’ve a championship-caliber protection to go together with Jackson on offense. Coach John Harbaugh has them on observe for a fourth playoff look in 5 years after they struggled to carry leads early within the season.
The Jaguars have gone in the other way underneath first-year coach Doug Pederson, discovering methods to lose shut video games after they jumped to a optimistic begin with a pair of early blowouts. They dropped three straight residence video games in October by a mixed 17 factors. They can be rested coming off their bye week.
EDGE: Ravens
Prediction
The Ravens can not afford a flat efficiency in opposition to the Jaguars, who run the ball effectively and string collectively first downs when quarterback Trevor Lawrence is on kind. Jacksonville has not been blown out all season, so anticipate a nail-biter earlier than the Ravens assert themselves with superior protection and extra dependable particular groups. Ravens 23, Jaguars 16
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Source: www.bostonherald.com