Jaguars vs. Ravens: 8 Things We Learned from Jacksonville's 12-7 Win

This is one of those games where you watch your favorite team and you hope and pray they don't let you down.

Week 7, the Jaguars came to play.

I know, it's hard to believe looking at the records of the two teams, and by the way the Ravens have played this season, but the Jacksonville Jaguars looked like a professional football team on Monday Night Football, beating and systematically shutting down the Ravens in their 12-7 victory.

A stellar defense and a controlled running game helped rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert control the offense and the clock to secure the win at home.

A great kicking performance from Josh Scobee didn't hurt either. Scobee connected on all four field goals, three from over 50 yards.

But this game was more about determination than anything else and from that, these are some of the things we learned.

Great Start

You could tell this team came to play out of the gate.

The defense swarmed the Ravens offense and forced four punts in the first quarter alone.

It set the tone for the rest of the game.

Jason Hill Continues to Be a Main Target

Blaine Gabbert has found his favorite target in Jason Hill.

When the Jags needed a first down, it seemed Hill caught a few balls to help out the cause and move the chains.

Hill finished with four catches for 62 yards on the night.

The Line Still Needs Work

While it got better in the second half, the Jags offensive line still could not keep Gabbert from being sacked.

The rookie was dropped twice in the first half.

In the second half, there was more of a ball-controlled offense on the field, so the running game led the way.

If Gabbert is to have a big passing game, the line must pass-block more effectively.

Josh Scobee Is the Man

Josh Scobee was the player of this game.

While the Jaguars could not get into the end zone, Scobee bailed his team out with four field goals, including three from 50-plus.

All I can say is Scobee is clutch.

The Defense Rattled the Running Game

Ray Rice was supposed to be as good as Maurice Jones-Drew Monday night.

All he did was fumble the ball (like MJD) and did not look the same after.

Rice was held to 28 yards on eight carries and forced Joe Flacco into passing situations most of the night.

Whatever Rice tried to do, the Jags had an answer.

Dirk Koetter Can Call a Game

Regardless if they did not get into the end zone, the Jags offense grew a little Monday night.

Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter kept the Ravens' defense off balance most of the night.

If he could have done this earlier in the season...

Blaine Gabbert Looked Better

On a huge stage like Monday Night Football, Gabbert took another step forward.

The passing game still needs work, but beating the Ravens was big for him, allowing him to continue to mature.

He can only get better.

Houston Is Next on the Schedule

Now, head coach Jack Del Rio must get his team ready for a Houston team that beat Tennessee 41-7 this past Sunday.

The Texans use a tough running attack and the arm of Matt Schaub to move the football.

It will be interesting to see if the Jaguars can feed off this momentum; or do they revert back to their old selves?

And although they won, the heat is still on Jack Del Rio to continue the trend.