Baltimore Ravens vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Spread Info, Predictions and More

In what seems like an odd match-up for Monday Night Football, the 1-5 Jacksonville Jaguars will host the 4-1 Baltimore Ravens. Although the Jaguars have home-field advantage, they never seem to sell out, so I'm not sure it will not play much of a factor.

The Ravens have been extremely impressive this season aside from one hiccup against the Tennessee Titans. Outside of that, the Ravens have been absolutely dominant and have the largest average margin of victory of any team in the league.

Jacksonville has gone winless since upending Tennessee in Week 1 and has turned to rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert. While Gabbert hasn't been spectacular, he has been able to keep his head above water as a young quarterback and has kept the Jags in games.

Baltimore is a heavy favorite to be sure, but we will see if the Jaguars can shock the football world with a little Monday night magic.

Where: EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.

When: Monday, Oct. 24 at 8:30 p.m. EDT

Watch: ESPN

Spread: Baltimore Ravens (-9)

You don't often see road teams favored by nine or more points, but the Ravens definitely should be. Playing at home is essentially meaningless for the Jaguars since they don't get much fan support, so I doubt Baltimore will be intimidated.

The Ravens have been as excellent defensively as always and have a very well-balanced and versatile offense. Because of that, I see this game being a blowout with the Ravens easily covering the nine-point spread.

Over/Under: 39

Because the Ravens have the league's best defense, I don't see the Jags scoring very much at all, but I can definitely envision the Ravens going over 30 points. If that comes to fruition, then the Jaguars will only need 10 or even less points, and I think that is attainable, so take the over.

Ravens Key Injuries

Out: DB Domonique Foxworth (knee - IR), LB Dannell Ellerbe (groin), DB Tom Zbikowski (concussion), WR Lee Evans (ankle) 

Questionable: OL Ben Grubbs (toe)

Jaguars Key Injuries

Out: RB Rashad Jennings (knee - IR), TE Zach Miller (shoulder - IR)

Questionable: OL Eugene Monroe (shoulder)

Fantasy Big Plays

RB Ray Rice (BAL) - Although the Jaguars have been adequate on defense this season, they have struggled a bit against the run, so I think Ravens running back Ray Rice will be able to exploit them. Rice is a dual-threat in that he can run the ball as well as catch it, so he should cut up the Jags from all angles.

Ravens Defense/Special Teams - I don't normally put a lot of effort into selecting a fantasy defense and I never draft one before the second-to-last round, but if you ended up with the Ravens' defense, this is your lucky week. Although Gabbert hasn't been a train wreck yet, I think the Ravens will get to him and force him into some mistakes.

Keys to Ravens Win

Everything in this game hinges on Baltimore's defense, and that has been the case for them for the past decade. The Ravens are as good defensively as they have been in years, so if they can hold down a mediocre Jacksonville defense, the Ravens will have no problem.

Also, the Ravens will want to remain balanced on offense with Ray Rice running the ball and quarterback Joe Flacco distributing. This may be the best offensive team the Ravens have ever had, so even if the defense mysteriously falters, the offense can pick them up.

Keys to Jaguars Win

I would be very surprised if the Jaguars were to win this game, but if they do, it will be because they rose to the challenge defensively. No matter how I try to spin it, I can't see Jacksonville putting up many points on Baltimore, so it will have to be a low-scoring game.

Baltimore's offense has flaws and tends to get a little pass happy at times, so the Jags may be able to stay in it if they can get some pressure on Flacco. Offensively they will need to keep giving the ball to running back Maurice Jones-Drew simply to eat some clock, even if he isn't overly effective. 

Prediction 

Ravens 34, Jaguars 10