Image via All-Pro Reels / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0). Trevor Lawrence in action for the Jaguars (file photo).
Thursday Night Football is back tonight, and it has a story you don't see often. The Jacksonville Jaguars visit the Baltimore Ravens at 8:15 p.m. ET, and the Ravens will start an undrafted rookie at quarterback.
The Jaguars are 5-2 and flying. The Ravens are 4-4 and have lost three in a row. Add a first-time starter under centre for Baltimore, and this one could get away from the home team fast.
The big story: a rookie starts for Baltimore
Joe Fagnano will make his first NFL start tonight. He is an undrafted rookie, and he only got the job because Baltimore's quarterback room is empty.
Lamar Jackson is on injured reserve after hurting his right thumb on the opening snap against Buffalo. Tyler Huntley hurt his toe in the same game, and he is out too. Fagnano came on in relief against the Bills and went 10 of 21 for 91 yards with an interception. Now he gets a full week of first-team reps, but it is a short week, and he faces one of the AFC's best teams.
The Ravens have not had a night like this in years. They were meant to be contenders. Instead, they are starting a quarterback most fans had never heard of a month ago.
What the Jaguars bring
Jacksonville is the form team here. The Jaguars thumped the Indianapolis Colts 42-7 last week, and they sit top of the AFC South at 5-2. DraftKings now has them as the second-favourites to win the AFC.
Trevor Lawrence runs the show, and the Jaguars have the pieces around him to make life hard for a rookie quarterback. Their defence will smell blood tonight. If they get an early lead, Fagnano will have to throw his way back into it, and that is the last thing Baltimore wants.
One worry for Jacksonville: running back Bhayshul Tuten is questionable with ankle and foot injuries. He has not practised all week, and he is a game-time decision. If he sits, Chris Rodriguez Jr. takes over as the main ball-carrier.
| Jaguars vs Ravens — game details | |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, 5 November 2026 |
| Kickoff | 8:15 p.m. ET |
| Venue | M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore |
| Watch | Prime Video (live); NFL+ after the game |
| Spread | Jaguars -10 |
| Total | 39.5 points |
| Moneyline | Jaguars -550, Ravens +410 |
What to watch for
First, how Fagnano handles the moment. A home crowd will lift him early, but the Jaguars' pass rush will test him on every snap. If he turns it over early, this could be over by half-time.
Second, whether Baltimore's defence can keep it close. The Ravens have lost three straight, and their season is slipping. A win tonight would change the mood completely. A heavy loss would leave them at 4-5 and chasing the pack.
Third, the run game. If Tuten plays, Jacksonville can control the clock and keep the ball away from Baltimore. If he sits, Rodriguez gets his chance in prime time.
How to watch
The game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. It streams live on Prime Video, with a replay on NFL+ after the game. Pre-game coverage starts earlier in the evening.
Baltimore's last home game ended badly. The Bills routed the Ravens in Week 8, the same game in which Jackson hurt his thumb. Jacksonville, meanwhile, is coming off its most complete win of the season.
Monday night gave us another one-sided game too. The Bears beat the Seahawks 34-17, with Caleb Williams and D'Andre Swift doing the damage. Tonight, the question is whether the underdog can make a game of it, or whether the Jaguars roll on.
Read More: NFL Week 8 Sunday Results: Bills Rout Ravens as Lamar Jackson Heads to IR
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