SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL WEEK 15: BALTIMORE RAVENS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

BY ADAM GREENE

There’s every chance this is an AFC Divisional Round preview as the current top seed in the conference, the Baltimore Ravens, makes the trip south to take on the currently fourth-seeded Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday Night Football.

There are no complaints about this particular prime-time game. We’re all good.

This is just the 24^th all-time meeting between the two clubs, with the Jags holding a 13-10 advantage. They’ve traded out victories since Baltimore reeled off a six-game win streak from 2000-2003. Before that, it was Jacksonville who enjoyed a dominating stretch, winning eight straight from 1996-1999.

They last squared up a year ago, with the Jaguars taking a 28-27 victory in Jacksonville on Nov. 27, 2022. Trevor Lawrence was 29 of 37 passing for 321 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in the win. Zay Jones caught 11 passes for 145 yards.

In the loss, Lamar Jackson was 16 of 32 passing for 254 yards, one TD and no picks. He led the team rushing with 14 carries for 89 yards. Josh Oliver (now with the Minnesota Vikings) caught four passes for 76 yards and a score.

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (+3, O/U: 42.5)

Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla.

Broadcast: NBC

Kickoff: Dec. 17, 8:20 p.m.

BALTIMORE RAVENS (10-3)

Last week the Ravens held off the surging Los Angeles Rams, winning 37-31 in overtime on a punt return for a touchdown from Tylan Wallace. Lamar Jackson finished 24 of 43 passing for 316 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in the win. He led the team with 11 rushes for 70 yards and was sacked twice. Odell Beckham, Jr. caught four passes for 97 yards and a TD. Isaiah Likely had five grabs for 83 yards and a score. Zay Flowers hauled in six passes for 60 yards and a TD. The defense sacked Matthew Stafford twice.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-5)

The Jags took a tough loss a week ago, falling 31-27 to the Cleveland Browns. Trevor Lawrence shook off his injury designation to go 28 of 50 passing for 257 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in the defeat. He was sacked four times. Evan Ingram caught 11 passes for 95 yards and two scores. The defense held Cleveland to 82 total yards on the ground, picked off Joe Flacco once and sacked him once.

THE PICK

This is a tough draw for Jacksonville who might find itself knocked down to a Wild Card spot after a loss here. Baltimore is just too good right now and is finding a way to win the close games against good teams. Lamar Jackson should be firmly in the MVP conversation yet again. Ravens 34, Jaguars 23

Last week

Straight up: 6-9

Against the spread: 6-9

Season

Straight up: 102-64

Against the spread: 92-74

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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