NFL Week 15 Picks: Will Your Team Win?

Dec 7, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) looks at the jumbotron during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Ravens won 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens (8-5) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11), 1:00 Sunday

Our guest for this game is Brett Foote of Ebony Bird.

Give us a few keys to the game for the Ravens to beat the Jaguars.

Brett: The Jags are 2-11 and sport the 27th ranked overall defense and 31st ranked offense. Having said that, they shocked the world a couple of weeks ago by beating the Giants at home and have also surprised a couple of good teams in the Texans and Colts recently. The Ravens are 4-2 at home this season and can’t afford to look past this game to next week’s date in Houston.

The Jags defense has been feisty at times, so the Ravens would be best served by pounding the rock this week on the ground. The Ravens have the 5th best rushing offense and their offensive line is arguably the best in the NFL this season. They also sport the NFL’s number four run defense and are 6th in sacks. As they did against Miami last week, Baltimore can minimize the impact of their horrendous, 31st ranked passing defense by getting to the quarterback.

How can the Ravens stop Blake Bortles from having one of those “rookie surprise days”?

Brett: Bortles has been up and down this season, but mostly down as of late. Which is not to say that he can’t pose a major threat to the Ravens with his arm and his legs. The Ravens have been getting good pressure from their linebackers in base sets, but would also be wise to mix in some different looks and exotic blitzes. Bortles has struggled while under pressure this season, as most rookie quarterbacks do, ranking 25th out of 28 qualifiers in Pro Football Focus’ metrics.

The Ravens did a good job against another mobile quarterback last week, Ryan Tannehill, limiting him to two rushes for six yards by keeping a spy on him throughout the game and by not giving him any open lanes to run. Bortles has similar size and speed attributes, so I expect to see more of the same this week.

Final score prediction, and why?

Brett: I always worry about teams in the Ravens’ position heading into games like this, ones they “should” win. This game’s 13 1/2 point spread is the largest in the NFL this week. But the Ravens have done a fantastic job staying focused this season, even amid multiple controversies. This is a case where superior roster talent will triumph, and I don’t expect any surprises. The Ravens will take this one 35-21 and stay in the hunt for a playoff spot.