The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Baltimore Ravens 33-10 on Thursday Night Football at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, building a 17-3 halftime lead before pulling away in the second half. The Week 9 Jaguars vs Ravens victory moves Jacksonville to 6-2 and extends its lead atop the AFC South, while Baltimore drops to 4-5 as undrafted rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano took the loss in his first career NFL start.
Trevor Lawrence completed 16 of 26 passes for 242 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions, according to CBS Sports. Jacksonville adds a second consecutive game in which it never trailed under second-year head coach Liam Coen, while the Ravens continue to deal with injured reserve absences for starting quarterback Lamar Jackson and backup Tyler Huntley.
Jacksonville elected to receive the opening kickoff after Coen accounted for heavier second-half rain in the forecast and sought to secure an early possession. The Jaguars marched 77 yards in seven plays on that opening series, ignited on the second play from scrimmage when Lawrence connected with rookie tight end Nate Boerkircher for a 52-yard gain. Running back Bhayshul Tuten, who entered the contest listed as questionable with ankle and foot injuries, punched in a 1-yard touchdown run to cap the drive.
“We did some great things in the first half. That opening drove was huge, just to set the tone. That’s important, to be able to go get points right away.”
Lawrence told Jaguars.com after the win that the fast start established Jacksonville’s rhythm early. Baltimore stayed within one score for most of the second quarter after kicker Jake Moody connected on a 53-yard field goal, and the Ravens held the ball for 17 minutes and 31 seconds of the first 30 minutes to shorten the half.
The breakaway moment arrived with 58 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Receiver Parker Washington beat Ravens defensive back Malaki Starks, secured a pass from Lawrence after an initial bobble, and sprinted 50 yards for a touchdown that sent Jacksonville into the locker room ahead 17-3. Lawrence went 9-of-15 for 197 yards in the first half alone as the Jaguars outgained Baltimore 223 yards to 101 before the break, NBC Sports reported.
How the Ravens vs Jaguars Second Half Unfolded
Jacksonville leaned on its kicking game, ground attack and opportunistic defense after halftime. Jaguars kicker Cam Little converted all four of his field goal attempts, including a long of 47 yards, along with all three extra-point tries to account for 15 total points. Tuten finished the night with 12 carries for 29 yards and his opening touchdown, while running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. added 10 carries for 19 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Through the air, Jakobi Meyers led all receivers with four catches for 65 yards, all recorded in the first half. Washington and Boerkircher each finished with two receptions for 61 yards.
Baltimore’s lone touchdown came in the fourth quarter when running back Justice Hill broke loose for a 65-yard scoring run. Hill finished as the game’s leading rusher with nine carries for 85 yards.
Joe Fagnano’s Debut and Baltimore’s Quarterback Situation
With both Jackson and Huntley sidelined on injured reserve, Baltimore tried to ease the burden on Fagnano by opening the game with running back Derrick Henry lined up in the wildcat formation. The Ravens called seven plays out of the wildcat in the first half, running the ball 17 times against 12 passes before intermission. Henry carried 12 times for 51 yards and threw a pass that lost 3 yards in the opening half, finishing the night with 17 carries for 57 yards. Wide receiver Zay Flowers added two carries for 16 yards and two catches for 2 yards in the first half.
Fagnano lined up at quarterback for only 12 plays in the first half, going 7-of-11 for 30 yards. As Jacksonville’s lead grew after the break, Baltimore’s passing attack struggled to keep pace. Fagnano finished 10-of-18 for 60 yards, two interceptions and one sack as the Ravens were held to 227 total net yards, including 55 net passing yards and 172 rushing yards.
Jacksonville’s defense forced three turnovers in the victory. Cornerbacks Montaric Brown and Jourdan Lewis each intercepted Fagnano in the second half, and the Jaguars also recovered a lost fumble by Ravens punt returner LaJohntay Wester. Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun paced the Jacksonville defense with seven combined tackles, including six solo stops, and recorded the team’s lone sack. Following Thursday night’s loss, the 4-5 Ravens await the arrival of veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett.