The Baltimore Ravens are ready for primetime. They’ll take the field against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night Football, clashing with one of the AFC's best teams.
This isn’t the team the NFL thought it was scheduling for primetime — Joe Fagnano will make his first career start instead of Lamar Jackson. It’s also a Ravens team that’s struggling. They’ve lost three straight, and the offense and defense are beating themselves.
Simply put, the Ravens need to wake up. It’s a game they need to win if they’re serious about making the playoffs in 2026.
Here is everything you need to know for Baltimore’s Week 9 battle with Jacksonville.
Everything you need to know about Baltimore Ravens’ Week 9 matchup with Jacksonville
- How to watch Ravens vs. Jaguars Week 9
- Ravens vs. Jaguars injury updates
- Key matchups for Ravens in Week 9
- Prediction
How to watch Ravens vs. Jaguars Week 9
Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Streaming: Prime Video, NFL+
Announcers: Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung
Listen: Westwood One Sports, 98 Rock (97.9 FM), WBAL (1090 AM, 101.5 FM)
Ravens vs. Jaguars injury updates
Ravens
PLAYER | INJURY | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
Lamar Jackson | thumb | OUT |
Tyler Huntley | ankle | OUT |
Jaylinn Hawkins | knee | OUT |
Adam Randall | neck | QUESTIONABLE |
Nate Wiggins | stinger/illness | QUESTIONABLE |
Not many surprises here. Lamar Jackson will eventually land on IR, and Tyler Huntley was officially ruled out for the rest of the season with turf toe. Jaylinn Hawkins is also out for his third straight game with a knee injury.
Adam Randall is also working his back from a neck injury. He’s questionable and was a full participant all week, but he’d need to be activated to the 53-man roster.
The big problem could be Nate Wiggins. He dealt with a stinger in Baltimore’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, and although he practiced Monday and Tuesday, he didn’t on Wednesday due to an illness.
The Jaguars have one of the more explosive passing attacks. If the Ravens want any chance at stopping Trevor Lawrence and company, they’ll want their best corner in Wiggins.
Jaguars
PLAYER | INJURY | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
Bhayshul Tuten | foot/ankle | QUESTIONABLE |
Travon Walker | rib | QUESTIONABLE |
Only two injury designations in a short week is considered a win. This issue: these are two big names for Jacksonville.
Bhayshul Tuten is developing into one of the better running backs. With a foot/ankle injury, though, it’s fair to question if his burst and cutting ability will be as prevalent on Thursday if he plays. If Tuten doesn’t suit up, the Jaguars will turn to Chris Rodriguez Jr., who the team signed to a two-year, $10 million contract in the offseason.
On the other side of the ball, Travon Walker is hampered by a rib injury. The 2022 No. 1 pick has posted 3 sacks so far. That mark leads the team.
If he can’t play, that’s one less problem for a horrendous Baltimore offensive line to worry about.
Key matchups for Ravens in Week 9
Joe Fagnano vs. the bright lights
Can Joe Fagnano handle the pressure? His first career start takes place under the lights on Thursday Night Football. He debuted last week, but having your first game in primetime against a playoff contender is a whole different animal to tame.
Fagnano didn’t play well in Week 8. That’s not to say he didn’t flash, though. He made some impressive throws and showed decent poise in a pocket that rarely held shape.
With a more specialized game plan, and potentially better pass protection thanks to Vega Ioane’s return, Fagnano could be more consistent. While he probably won’t be asked to be very aggressive, he’s shown since preseason that he can be effective with his arm and lead his receivers.
No one’s asking him to dominate, and not many are expecting him to win. Fagnano really has nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Trey Hendrickson vs. Walker Little
Will Baltimore’s big-money pass rusher finally have his big game? Trey Hendrickson has played well in 2026 — 28 pressures and fourth-best pass-rush win rate prove he’s still a lethal threat off the edge. However, at some point you want those wins to turn into sacks.
In Week 9, Hendrickson squares off with one of the league’s best pass protectors. Walker Little is a superb left tackle, registering an 85.6 pass-blocking grade (3rd) per Pro Football Focus. He’s allowed just 2 pressures and hasn’t let Trevor Lawrence get hit.
Hendrickson must end that tremendous run.
It’s the only way the Ravens can even have a shot at winning this game. If you make Lawrence uncomfortable, you can keep that passing attack in check.
Ravens’ short-yardage offense vs. Jaguars short-yardage defense
If the Ravens are going to tame their short-yardage issues, it probably won’t be on Thursday. The Jaguars possess a top-tier short-yardage defense. This battle could be the turning point in this contest.
Jacksonville’s defense is top-10 in opponent third-down conversion rate and top-five in fourth-down conversion rate. They’re the best run defense in the league, too, allowing 77.4 rushing yards per game.
When you pin that against a Baltimore offense that’s suffered all year on 3rd- and 4th-and-1 plays, the Ravens have a one-way ticket to disaster. If they can’t figure it out, the offense could quickly find themselves stuck in a rut.
Prediction
Ravens 17, Jaguars 27
I think Joe Fagnano and Baltimore’s offense have encouraging moments. I also think the defense can put together stops to make this a winnable game. I just don’t think there will be enough of them on either side.
The Jaguars are too talented to lose to a Fagnano-led team. Maybe it’s a trap game. Heck, crazier things have happened on Thursday Night Football.
But if we’re being honest, Jacksonville has the better defense, and they have the better offense. It’s not close in either category.
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