Ravens wary of surging Jets in Week 15 matchup

BALTIMORE – The Ravens have defeated several of the best teams in the NFL during their nine- game winning streak, so it would appear as if the Jets shouldn’t pose much of a challenge Thursday night when Baltimore seeks to clinch its second consecutive AFC North title.

That’s how the oddsmakers see it, anyway. The Ravens ( 11- 2) are a 141⁄ 2- point favorite because, after all, they own the best record in the AFC and the Jets ( 5- 8) haven’t beat a team that currently owns a winning record.

Yet Baltimore coach John Harbaugh isn’t quite ready to distribute shirts and caps that read “2019 AFC NORTH CHAMPIONS.” As far as he’s concerned, New York is every bit as dangerous as the Patriots, the Seahawks, the 49ers and the Bills – teams the Ravens defeated during their team- record nine- game run.

“They’re playing great. They won four of the last five, that’s the bottom line,” Harbaugh said of the Jets. “That’s what we talked to the guys about. That’s all you need to know. Watch the tape. They’re playing winning football. We understand that. We know this league.

“Our guys don’t take anybody for granted. You never can; you never should.”

The Ravens come in with the most prolific running attack in the NFL. Led by Lamar Jackson, who’s only 23 yards short of setting the season record for yards rushing by a quarterback ( 1,039 by Michael Vick in 2006), Baltimore is grounding out an average of 200.9 yards per game.

The Jets are allowing a league- low 3.03 yards per carry and only 75.6 yards rushing per outing, which might make things interesting. The Jets have allowed only one individual 100- yard rusher all season.

“All helmets to the ball,” Jackson said. “It’s going to be a physical game.”

Jackson is nursing a sore quadriceps, but New York’s defense will nevertheless be pressed to keep up with the league’s highest- scoring team.

“They’re playing fast. They’re playing aggressive,” Jets coach Adam Gase said. “They’re full throttle, pedal to the metal the whole game.”