Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens Betting Odds
- Spread: Ravens -4
- Over/Under: 31.5
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
The Ravens host the Jaguars in one of 11 Preseason Week 1 matchups on Thursday night. Let's take a look at key storylines for both teams, complete with daily fantasy analysis and a pick.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Foles has had an up-and-down career, but things have been mostly positive as long as his coach wasn't Jeff Fisher.
Foles has posted a 63% completion rate and averaged 7.3 yards per attempt with a 61-to-23 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 43 career games without Fisher roaming the sideline. With Fisher? A 56% completion rate, an average of 6.1 yards per attempt and a 7-to-10 TD-to-INT ratio in 11 games. Sheesh.
The Jaguars' defense remains a force, and Foles might just have enough magic left to help the offense function as an average to above-average unit. The Jaguars could at least make themselves a difficult out most of the time in 2019 if they can get a bit better injury luck on the offensive line.
Jaguars offensive line injuries and missed games in 2018 …
LT Cam Robinson (knee): 13
Backup LT Josh Wells (groin/concussion): 9
Third-string LT Josh Walker (ankle): 7
LG Andrew Norwell (ankle): 5
C Brandon Linder (knee): 7
RG A.J. Cann (triceps): 1
RT Jermey Parnell (knee): 3— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) June 13, 2019
Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson emerged as the NFL's best rushing quarterback in 2018 despite not starting until Week 11.
- Rush attempts: 147 (first among all quarterbacks)
- Rush yards: 695 (first)
- Rush touchdowns: 5 (tied for third)
Jackson's 79 rushing yards per game over his seven starts trailed only Saquon Barkley, Chris Carson, Joe Mixon, Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott.
The Ravens have hyped up Jackson's progression as a passer over the offseason while also adding dual-threat talent Trace McSorley. They're positioned to function as a unique run-first offense and don't lack explosive playmakers on the outside.
This creative scheme could help the Ravens continue to thrive in the typically-mundane preseason format. Head coach John Harbaugh has been the NFL's most-profitable preseason coach, notching a 29-15-1 record against the spread and profiting +12.8 units.
This total seems a bit low for two teams expected to make decent strides in their respective passing games this season.
PICK: Over 31.5
