Jaguars Visit Ravens on Thursday Night Football as Rookie Joe Fagnano Makes First Start

The Jacksonville Jaguars are in Baltimore for the Week 9 opener on Thursday Night Football, and the story of the night is a quarterback matchup nobody saw coming in September. Trevor Lawrence and a 5-2 Jacksonville team that leads the AFC South by three games will face undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano, who is making his first career NFL start in prime time for a Ravens team that has lost both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley.

Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium, with the game streaming on Prime Video. Baltimore sits at 4-4 and fourth in the AFC North, while Jacksonville arrives on a high after beating the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8. Jackson’s thumb injury and a short week have turned this into one of the most talked-about games of the week, and Jacksonville, Thursday Night Football and wide receiver Parker Washington are all climbing the trending charts on X tonight.

Fagnano Gets the Prime-Time Call

Fagnano, a rookie out of UConn and Baltimore’s third-string quarterback, is starting because the Ravens’ season took a hard turn last Sunday, when Jackson injured his thumb against the Buffalo Bills. Huntley is also sidelined, which left Baltimore with few options. Fagnano finished that Bills game 10-of-21 for 91 yards and an interception, and he is dealing with an ankle injury on a short week of preparation. His NFL career is beginning with two games in five days.

That gives Jacksonville’s defense a clear opportunity. The Jaguars have allowed an NFL-low 77.4 rushing yards per game, which should matter against a Baltimore offense expected to lean on running back Derrick Henry. The problem for defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile is that Jacksonville is thin in the back end. Defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton and safety Eric Murray are both out for the season, and safety Antonio Johnson has been limited by an ankle injury. Rayuan Lane III, who returned a pick-six 92 yards against Indianapolis, is a player to watch.

Lawrence and Washington Lead the Jacksonville Attack

On the other side, Lawrence is playing some of the best football of his career. He has thrown 17 touchdown passes against four interceptions and leads the league with a 112.6 passer rating and an 8.6 percent touchdown rate. His top target is Parker Washington, who leads the Jaguars with 432 receiving yards and four touchdowns and has become one of the most talked-about names on social media ahead of the game. Washington is also a popular fantasy and prop-market name this week, with sportsbooks posting receiving lines on him, and bettors can check the latest FanDuel promo code offer before kickoff.

Baltimore’s secondary is no pushover. Nate Wiggins, Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton form a talented group, though the Ravens have allowed 228.3 passing yards per game. Zay Flowers, Baltimore’s top receiver, was held to zero yards against the Bills, and Jacksonville’s banged-up secondary will try to keep him quiet again.

The Ground Game and Injury Watch

The Jaguars ran for 183 yards against the Colts, their best total of the season, and Bhayshul Tuten posted his first 100-yard rushing game. Tuten missed practice early in the week with an ankle and foot injury, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. was limited by a hand issue, so Jacksonville’s backfield health is worth monitoring. Baltimore allows roughly 103 rushing yards per game, and linebacker Roquan Smith anchors that front.

The stakes are significant for both teams. A win would further strengthen Jacksonville’s case as a Super Bowl contender, while the Ravens, with Jackson likely out for the rest of the year, need production from a rookie quarterback and a Henry-led ground game to stay in the playoff picture. Readers new to the NFL betting market can compare options through our sportsbook reviews before placing a wager.

Whatever happens in Baltimore, the Jaguars will leave with a clearer picture of just how real their 5-2 start is, and the Ravens will learn what life looks like without Jackson. Check back for reaction once the game wraps up on Prime Video.