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Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Baltimore Ravens: Keep Your Enemies Close – 5 Questions with Ebony Bird

By Daniel Lago

Dec 14, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) looks to pass on the run during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated Jacksonville Jaguars 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) looks to pass on the run during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated Jacksonville Jaguars 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) catches a pass over the defense of Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Chris Kirksey (58) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) catches a pass over the defense of Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Chris Kirksey (58) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Last year’s matchup saw the Ravens shorthanded at numerous spots, mostly at the skill positions. Which players that weren’t in last year’s game will affect Sunday’s contest the most?

"Dennis Pitta has been the go to player for Flacco. Pitta had nine receptions for 102 yards against Cleveland. It’s fantastic to see our Super Bowl hero of a tight end back in the fold. Terrell Suggs makes a big impact on the defense. Suggs is the leader. Bad stuff happens when he is not on the field. Suggs does more than just play at a high level. He makes sure his teammates are doing their jobs. Having Steve Smith Sr. and Breshad Perriman helps. However the biggest threat is Mike Wallace. With three touchdowns in two weeks, he’s the Ravens best upgrade."

My take:

Pitta being back and playing at a high level is bad news for the Jaguars. As awful as Jacksonville has been on defense, their weakest area is probably the middle of the field where they’ve just never figured out how to cover tight ends. Part of it is a slow linebacking corps (Paul Posluszny is still a “great” player according to the coaching staff), but a big part of it is scheme.

Aside from Pitta, the Ravens now have a lot more speed on the field on offense than they did last year. No doubt the offensive coaches are watching the calamity from last week and trying to find a way to matchup their wide receivers on Poz.

Next: Rivers to ARob?

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