Jacksonville sets the tone early and never trails
BALTIMORE — Jacksonville opened the game with a 77-yard march and took a 7-0 lead on Bhayshul Tuten's 1-yard touchdown run, and the Jaguars never trailed on a rainy night. Trevor Lawrence finished with 242 passing yards and a touchdown, and Jacksonville (6-2) won for the fifth time in six games to take command of the AFC South with a 3 1/2-game lead.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6][S7]
The Jaguars protected the ball and avoided extreme risks against a badly weakened opponent. Lawrence connected with Parker Washington on a 50-yard scoring strike with 58 seconds left in the second quarter, sending Jacksonville into halftime ahead 17-3. Coach Liam Coen said Lawrence was sharp and accurate while the game was still competitive early.[S1]
Baltimore's quarterback problem shapes the night
Baltimore started Joe Fagnano, a 25-year-old rookie who debuted the previous weekend against Buffalo, because Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley are on injured reserve. Fagnano completed 10 of 18 passes for 60 yards and threw two second-half interceptions, and he has also been managing an ankle issue. The Ravens are awaiting Jacoby Brissett's arrival as they try to stop their season from unraveling.[S1]
Baltimore tried Wildcat-style snaps directly to Derrick Henry on several occasions, but Jacksonville had prepared for it. Coen said the Jaguars practiced the Wildcat extensively. The Ravens managed a field goal on their first possession and did not score again until late in the game.[S1]
Boos, turnovers and a franchise first
Trailing 20-3 in the third quarter, Baltimore recovered a fumble at midfield but turned the ball over on downs, and boos came down from the crowd. Tight end Mark Andrews said the fans had every right to react that way and that the team had to stay together and keep relying on one another. A lost fumble on a kick return set up Chris Rodriguez Jr.'s 2-yard touchdown run with 7:26 remaining that made it 33-3.[S1]
Justice Hill broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run 11 seconds later, Baltimore's first touchdown after halftime since Week 5. Hill finished with 85 yards on nine carries, ending Jacksonville's 24-game streak of not allowing a 75-yard rusher. It is the first time in franchise history the Ravens have lost three straight games by at least 20 points, after defeats of 35-13 to Cincinnati and 36-10 to Buffalo.[S1]
Injuries mount and both teams look ahead
Beyond the quarterback absences, Baltimore was without starting cornerback Nate Wiggins, who had been listed with an illness earlier in the week, and lost star safety Kyle Hamilton to a hip injury. Coach Jesse Minter said the situation was tough for his players but that he told them there were no excuses and no allowances for missing personnel.[S1]
Jacksonville next travels to Tennessee on Nov. 15, while Baltimore hosts the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 16.[S1]
