The Jacksonville Jaguars haven't won on the road this year. For that to change this week, they'll have to overcome a Baltimore Ravens team in the heart of a playoff push.
How to watch Jaguars vs. Ravens 2014 online: Time, TV schedule and live stream
The Ravens expect to gain ground in the competitive AFC playoff hunt with a win over the 2-11 Jaguars.
This season has been about slow progression for the Jaguars. Head coach Gus Bradley's defense still ranks near the bottom of the league in points allowed, but players like Sen'Derrick Marks and Ryan Davis have emerged as playmakers along with the veteran Chris Clemons. On offense, Denard Robinson found a niche as a tailback and checkdown receiver before going down with a foot injury. However, the most important progression has been that of quarterback Blake Bortles. The No. 3 overall pick has begun to cut down on his turnovers.
Still, Jacksonville is far from competitive at this point. The Jaguars have the worst point differential in the league at minus-157 despite playing in a division with similarly woeful Tennessee Titans. The Jaguars also rank 26th in turnover differential at minus-8, ahead of only the New Orleans Saints, Washington, New York Jets and Oakland Raiders. Bradley will have to turn this around in the offseason or he may not last into 2016.
Baltimore, meanwhile, is lodged in the middle of the NFL’s most hotly contested division. Every team in the AFC North has a winning record, with three having eight wins thus far. The Ravens are 3-3 in the division, which means that they may need to win out in order to secure a spot in the playoffs.
The Ravens sport a remarkably different roster from the one that won a Super Bowl two seasons ago. Joe Flacco remains the face of the offense, but star running back Ray Rice is gone amid a domestic violence scandal and a downturn in performance. The top receiver this season has been free agent signing Steve Smith. Through 13 games, Smith is on pace for more than 1,000 yards. That would mark the eighth time he has reached that milestone in his career. The biggest surprise has been tailback Justin Forsett. An afterthought in free agency this offseason, Forsett has already eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark.
The Jaguars enter Sunday’s game with a record of 2-11. The Ravens come in at 8-5.
How to watch
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
When: 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Announcers: Tom McCarthy, Adam Archuleta, Allie LaForce
Online streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile | NFL Sunday Ticket
Odds
The Ravens are 15.5-point favorites at home with an over/under of 45, according to OddsShark.
Further reading
For more on the Jaguars, check out Big Cat Country. For additional coverage of the Ravens, head on over to Baltimore Beatdown.
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