Ravens Rely on Unproven Quarterback as Jaguars Visit Baltimore
Baltimore’s offense is led by an undrafted rookie after injuries sideline both primary starters, while Jacksonville enters the game as a 10 point favorite.
By Julian Schulz ·
The Baltimore Ravens will start an undrafted rookie at quarterback on Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Joe Fagnano, a free agent who went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, is set to lead the offense at M&T Bank Stadium. The game begins at 8:15 p.m. ET for Week 9 of the 2026 season.
The absence of Fagnano’s predecessors is due to injury. Lamar Jackson is out with a thumb injury, and Tyler Huntley is sidelined with a toe issue. This leaves the third stringer to manage the team’s attack. The Ravens currently hold a 4-4 record and sit fourth in the AFC North.
The Jaguars, who lead the AFC South with a 5-2 record, enter this matchup as heavy favorites. Sportsbooks have set Jacksonville as the favorite by 10 points. The money line stands at -510 for the Jaguars and +425 for the Ravens. The over/under total for the game is set at 39.5 points.
Mike Tierney of SportsLine predicts the total points will fall under the 39.5 line. He notes that the under has hit in six of the last nine meetings between these teams since 2008. The under also has covered in six of Jacksonville’s last 10 games and two of Baltimore’s last three.
Statistical trends support the lower scoring projection. The Ravens rank 15th in the league in scoring, averaging 22.4 points per game. The Jaguars possess the second best defense in the league, allowing only 15.9 points per game. This defensive strength contrasts with Baltimore’s recent offensive struggles.
Fagnano’s physical condition adds a layer of uncertainty to the Ravens' outlook. He suffered a knee injury during Baltimore's 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. In that game, he completed 10 of 21 pass attempts for 91 yards and one interception. His status as not being at 100 percent health was confirmed by the team.
The historical context favors Jacksonville slightly. The Jaguars lead the all-time series 13-11. However, the Ravens have won three of the last five meetings. The most recent contest in December 2023 ended in a 23-7 victory for Baltimore.
The Jaguars arrive in Baltimore following a 42-7 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Their recent form includes four wins in their last six games. The Ravens, by contrast, have gone 2-3 in games against conference opponents this season, while Jacksonville is 4-2 in those same matchups.
