RAVENS (2-0) VS. JAGUARS (0-2)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, EVERBANK FIELD, JACKSONVILLE uTV: CBS, DIRECTV 706
Announcers: Tom McCarthy, Adam Archuleta, Chris Fischer
About the Ravens: QB kept his cool, and the Ravens overcame a 20-0 deficit to beat the Cleveland Browns last week. The Ravens have things to figure out on both sides of the ball, but they’ve won two games they probably should have won as part of getting their confidence back. Flacco trusts in TE WR and WR and the offense should get better as the offensive line gels and the Ravens improve the running game. The defense gave up too many big plays last weekend, and the secondary remains a concern. But the Ravens trust in their pass rush, like the development of their young defensive players and held the Browns scoreless for the final 49 minutes, 40 seconds last weekend. Bigger challenges are ahead and playing consecutive road games is never easy, but the Ravens have reason to think that more wins are coming.
About the Jaguars: After playing the Green Bay Packers to the wire at home in Week 1, the Jaguars got blown out by the Chargers in San Diego. The Jaguars aren’t sustaining drives and are giving up too many big plays. Just like last season, QB is racking up big numbers because the Jaguars aren’t able to run and are almost always playing from behind. RB should make his debut this weekend after being hospitalized before the season opener. A commitment to the run game with Ivory and RB
should help the offense. The defense isn’t generating a consistent pass rush and has been on the field too much. The development of DE has been encouraging, Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta had nine catches for 102 yards in Week 2.
but the Jaguars know they need to produce wins quickly or risk seeing another regime shipped out.
After sitting out for nearly two full years and missing time in training camp with a broken finger, Pitta is back making plays. He’s Flacco’s security blanket and is getting open down the field. The Jaguars spent a lot of money on Gipson last spring as part of
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
a total defensive overhaul and are counting on him to create turnovers and force quarterbacks into mistakes. He’ll be busy this week
The Browns had no problem going at Smith last weekend and did so with much success. The Ravens need him to be a leader in a secondary that’s still growing as a unit. More important, they need him to be consistent and not to give up big plays. Bortles will be looking for WR Allen Robinson often this weekend, and Smith will have to be better than he has been the first two weeks.
Both teams are averaging 3 yards per rush, a number that ranks near the bottom of the league and puts added pressure on the quarterbacks. The team that runs the ball better probably will win.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Mix it up: The Ravens have four players who have caught at least five passes. Flacco clearly trusts Pitta, but it’s his ability to spread the ball around that makes the Ravens dangerous while he knocks off rust and the young receivers grow up on the fly.
2. Make them pay: The Ravens gave up big plays last weekend when their blitzes didn’t get home or didn’t result in sacks. Bortles needs to use his mobility and big arm to take advantage of his chances.
3. Keep it moving: The Jaguars are 6-for-26 on third-down conversions, second worst in the league. They’ll need to convert them to first downs and score touchdowns to keep up with the Ravens.
Zac Jackson