Jaguars’ Week 15: Waiting All Day For The Ravens

It’s been a tough stretch for the Jaguars, dropping back-to-back games against AFC North teams with backup quarterbacks. Now, the Jaguars welcome the Baltimore Ravens for the Jaguars’ week 15 matchup on Sunday Night Football.

With a showdown between teams fighting for the division lead, the Jaguars and Ravens square off in one of the week’s best games. For the Jaguars, it’s becoming apparent that the Texans and Colts, despite being right behind them in the division, have begun to lose some ground. Even though the Jaguars have been losing games in recent weeks, their divisional rivals have also been dropping games. With the current trend, the Jaguars have been in good shape to take the AFC South.

Meanwhile, the Ravens are inching closer to fully clinching a playoff spot, and a win would effectively set them up for success in regards to securing the one seed in the AFC. It’s a battle between teams that have had their ups and downs in 2023, but both are now trying to secure playoff spots and a home playoff game, as the season begins to come to a close.

Jaguars’ Week 15: 2 Matchups to Watch For

Lamar Jackson vs. Foyesade Oluokun and the Jaguars Defense

The Jaguars main problem on Sunday night will be dealing with MVP candidate Lamar Jackson. One of the most dynamic players in the NFL, Lamar Jackson spells trouble for any defense facing him. For the Jaguars, the task of containing Lamar Jackson mainly surrounds Lamar’s ability to scramble.

While Lamar’s passing prowess is impressive, the real concern for the Jaguars will be the run game. Lamar can throw like the best, but the Jaguars pass defense is one of the better coverage units in the NFL according to PFF. With a depleted and inconsistent offensive supporting cast, the concern for the Ravens receivers is low.

With Lamar Jackson coming to Jacksonville, the Jaguars’ week 15 matchup is one of the toughest matchups the Jaguars will have all season. Facing against fantastic weapons, as the 49ers and Bengals have, is something the Jaguars have dealt with all year. However, there is no comparison for Lamar Jackson in the NFL. The Jaguars’ week 15 matchup is incredibly challenging.

Foyesade Oluokun is going to be one of the main contributors to stopping Lamar Jackson. With Oluokun’s ability to range all across the field, he will be tasked with keeping Lamar in check. While he won’t be the only Jaguars defender to try and contain Lamar, Oluokun as the main linebacker will be tasked with flying around the field and taking away the scrambling ability of Lamar Jackson.

In the Jaguars’ week 15 matchup, there will be an incredible amount of pressure and emphasis on stopping Lamar Jackson. Foyesade Oluokun and the Jaguars’ defense will be pressed all night to cover both the receivers and Lamar Jackson out of the backfield.

Calvin Ridley and the Jaguars Receivers vs. Ravens Defense

With the injury to Christian Kirk still looming large over the Jaguars offense, the Jaguars offense desperately needs the other receiving weapons to step up. The Jaguars’ week 15 matchup is against the second-best coverage defense in the NFL according to PFF. With a challenging matchup for the Jaguars’ passing offense, combined with a very poor run offense, the Jaguars will need to find a way to have success against the Ravens’ elite pass defense.

To do such a feat, the wide receivers will need to play at a higher level than they’ve done in recent weeks. Christian Kirk was a clear difference-maker, as evidenced by the recent struggles of the Jaguars’ passing attack. In his absence, Evan Engram has stepped up. Engram has been putting together another remarkable season, one that rivals his first year in Jacksonville where he had the best season of his career. Engram has re-ignited his game, and with Kirk out it’s been a huge outlet for Trevor Lawrence.

Now, with a tough matchup on deck, the other receivers need to step up more than ever. Calvin Ridley can’t be quitting on routes or dropping passes. Ridley is supposed to be the big wide receiver acquisition for Lawrence, yet the connection hasn’t thrived and there’s been a clear disconnect between the two. While Ridley is still finding some success, there needs to be a significant change in his play with Christian Kirk out for the foreseeable future.

Zay Jones and Parker Washington are the next two receivers that will need to step up in the Jaguars’ week 15 matchup against an elite Ravens defense. Parker Washington has been the most intriguing player in recent weeks for the Jaguars offense. He’s been showcasing his return abilities on special teams and has made a couple of nice grabs in the past couple of weeks since his return from injured reserve. With Washington emerging as a legitimate receiving threat right after Christian Kirk is injured, it’s helped to stabilize the offense.

Zay Jones hasn’t been nearly as good. Despite the high volume, Jones has struggled to put together a performance that is worthy of being a number two receiver. With Parker Washington taking his game to new heights, Jones has seemingly been relegated to the third most effective wide receiver, and fourth most effective receiving weapon behind Ridley, Engram, and Washington.

Overall, the Jaguars receivers need to put a lot better film on tape. Against a top defense like the Ravens, it’s going to be challenging. The Jaguars’ week 15 matchup against a stout Ravens secondary is the deciding factor in whether the Jaguars can beat the Ravens. With Lamar on the other side, the Jaguars offense will need to keep pace, and can only do so if the offense can beat an elite Ravens secondary.

Week 15 Injury Report

Jaguars’ Week 15 Injury Report

• WR Jamal Agnew (Shoulder) – Questionable
• CB Christian Braswell (Hamstring) – Questionable
• CB Tyson Campbell (Quadricep) – OUT
• S Andre Cisco (Groin) – OUT
• OL Ezra Cleveland (Knee) – Questionable
• CB Tre Herndon (Concussion) – Questionable
• OL Walker Little (Hamstring) – Questionable
• LS Ross Matiscik (Back) – Questionable
• TE Brenton Strange (Foot) – Questionable

A lengthy injury report for the Jaguars’ week 15 matchup. Multiple key players on both sides of the ball are either questionable or already out for the Jaguars’ week 15 matchup. Once again, the defensive backs have taken a hit with both Andre Cisco and Tyson Campbell ruled out.

Aside from the players already ruled out, the list of players questionable for the Jaguars is long and led by Walker Little and Ezra Cleveland. With the performance from Blake Hance in week 14, the Jaguars can’t afford to have their fourth-string tackle line up against one of the best defenses in the NFL. If either one plays in the Jaguars’ week 15 matchup, the Jaguars will be much better off.

Another injury to pay attention to is the one of Ross Matiscik. While not a major focus, if the Jaguars’ long snapper were to miss, the special teams’ impact would potentially be massive. Field goals, points after tries, and punts would be affected.

Ravens’ Week 15 Injury Report

• S Kyle Hamilton (Knee) – Questionable
• OLB Malik Hamm (Ankle) – Questionable

The most important injury for the Ravens is star safety Kyle Hamilton. With one of the best young defenders in the NFL at risk of missing action, the Ravens would be forced to go on the road and face a reeling Jaguars team looking to rebound. Fortunately for the Ravens, Kyle Hamilton practiced in full on Friday, leading to a high likelihood that Hamilton will suit up in the Jaguars’ week 15 matchup.

An overall short injury report this late in the season is a great sign for the Ravens. In the Jaguars’ week 15 matchup, a fairly healthy Ravens team will be coming to Jacksonville.

Jaguars’ Week 15 Prediction

With the 2023 NFL season beginning to wind down, the Jaguars have two home and two road games remaining. One of those home games is the Jaguars’ week 15 opponent, the Baltimore Ravens. This matchup is without a doubt the toughest one remaining on the Jaguars’ schedule. With a playoff berth within grasp, if the Jaguars can pull through, it would go a long way toward securing the AFC South and a playoff spot.

However, the matchup is rough. Lamar Jackson is the definition of an X-Factor, and the Ravens’ secondary and overall passing defense is elite. Trevor Lawrence will be tasked with beating an amazing defense without his best receiver Christian Kirk. Fortunately, the Jaguars’ receivers have been steadily improving, but a leap will have to be made for the Jaguars to defend their home field.

In my preseason predictions article, I had the Jaguars dropping the Sunday night matchup against the Ravens, and subsequently dropping to 8-6 on the season. While the path to this point wasn’t conventional, and the overall vibes surrounding the Jaguars aren’t great, the overall season hasn’t gone poorly. I do think this is a bad matchup for the Jaguars, and that the Ravens will win. But, the season is far from over, and with a a struggling Colts and Texans team failing to make up any ground against the Jaguars, the AFC South is still within the Jaguar’s control.

I have the Ravens beating the Jaguars in the Jaguars’ week 15 matchup, dropping to 8-6.