Jaguars predictions: Can Jacksonville knock off Lamar Jackson, Ravens? NFL experts pick

The Jacksonville Jaguars' last primetime game didn't go according to plan. Will they fare any better against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night at EverBank Stadium?

The Jags (8-5) have lost two straight games after a 31-27 defeat at the Cleveland Browns. After suffering a high ankle sprain the previous week in a Monday night loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw 50 passes for 257 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Tight end Evan Engram brought in 11 catches for 95 yards and two scores, but Travis Etienne, Calvin Ridley and the rest of the offense were inefficient, while Josh Allen and the Jacksonville defense gave up 30 points for the second straight week and the third time in five weeks.

On the other hand, the Ravens are tied for the NFL's best record at 10-3. Quarterback Lamar Jackson built on his MVP case in last week's 37-31 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams, throwing for 316 yards and three TDs against one interception while adding 70 yards on 11 carries. Odell Beckham Jr. had four catches for 97 yards and a TD, while rookie Zay Flowers and tight end Isaiah Likely also hauled in scores.

Who wins the Sunday Night Football showdown? Here's a look at what NFL reporters and analysts predict will happen:

Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY: Ravens 29-23

"Baltimore tends to play close games and tends to let its foot off the pedal late in games. This is generally a problem if you’re looking to back them. Still, the Jaguars have been exposed a bit in recent weeks and if Trevor Lawrence’s mobility continues to be hindered by his ankle injury, the Ravens should cover a modest spread."

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Jags 23-20

"The Jaguars didn't come through in their long-awaited Monday night chance vs. the Bengals two weeks ago. They are on a two-game losing skid vs. the AFC North. But they have been waiting much longer for a true Sunday night game and will be pumped with a gritty Trevor Lawrence and an inspired playmaking defense to end the slump. The Ravens were pushed by the Rams into overtime and their defense showed more key cracks Lawrence can exploit. On the other side, Lamar Jackson gets contained with little help from the running game."

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Ravens 33-27

"The Jaguars have lost two straight and have big injury issues to go with poor defensive play the past two weeks. The Ravens are in the top spot in the AFC. Their defense has struggled some lately as well. This could be a shootout between Lamar Jackson and Trevor Lawrence. I'll go with the better defense and take the Ravens."

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Jags 27-24

"The Jags still have a shot at the No. 1 seed. If they lose this one, they don’t."

Ian Hanford, Bleacher Report: Ravens 27-21

All seven members of Bleacher Report's seven-person panel went with Baltimore.

"We've seen Jacksonville struggle against the likes of Brock Purdy, C.J. Stroud and even Jake Browning in recent weeks," wrote Hanford, "so I like Lamar Jackson to ride the momentum of a strong Week 14 while the Ravens control the tempo on the ground. Baltimore wins by at least four before next week's matchup against the 49ers."

Safid Deen, USA TODAY: Ravens 26-20

"Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars are struggling, especially with coach Doug Pederson making some questionable calls that have hurt his team. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are on a roll without Mark Andrews and should win this Sunday night matchup In Jacksonville."

Tom Blair, NFL.com: Ravens 24-20

All five experts on NFL.com's panel backed Baltimore.

"The Jags rank better than the Ravens in two categories: passing offense (Jacksonville is ninth and the Baltimore is 19th) and rushing defense (Jacksonville is fourth and Baltimore is 12th)," Blair wrote. "Even with Trevor Lawrence fully participating in practice again, I don't think it'll be enough against a Ravens team that is limiting its opponents to 4.3 yards per offensive play and outscoring them by an average of 11 points."

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Ravens 30-24

"The Jaguars' tour of Ohio did not go well in losses to the Bengals and Browns, and now they have to face the team in the AFC North now. Lamar Jackson is 5-1 S/U with just two interceptions on the road this season, and the Ravens are finding multiple ways to win. Baltimore extends its winning streak to four games, and the Jaguars' hold on the AFC South is tenuous."

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Ravens 24-21

"Lamar Jackson had 316 passing yards, three touchdowns and 70 rushing yards – and the Ravens needed every bit of it last week versus the Rams. Jackson should be in the running for his second MVP award. The Ravens have the top record in the AFC entering Week 15. Trevor Lawrence played like he wasn’t 100% last week in a bad loss to the Browns. Plus, the absence of Christian Kirk is a big loss."

John Breech, CBS Sports: Ravens 34-20

"I feel like the Ravens are going to score a lot of points and I can't imagine the Jaguars keeping up, especially with Trevor Lawrence still playing on a slightly hobbled ankle. This will mark the fourth time this season that Lawerence has faced a top-8 defense in the NFL and the Jags are 0-3 in the previous three games with losses to the Chiefs, Browns and 49ers. I don't think this game is going to go any better for them."

Chris Simms, Pro Football Talk: Ravens 31-24

Jaguars-Ravens betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, December 14.

• Spread: Ravens (-3)

• Over/under: 42.5 points

• Moneyline: Ravens -165, Jaguars +140

How can I watch Jaguars vs. Ravens?

• When: 8:20 p.m. Sunday, December 17

• Where: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

• TV: NBC

• Streaming: Peacock ($5.99 per month), NFL+ (out-of-market only), fuboTV (7-day free trial), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)

Jaguars-Ravens is the Sunday Night Football game on NBC. Mike Tirico will be the play-by-play announcer with Cris Collinsworth as analyst and Melissa Stark reporting from the sideline.

Streaming options include fuboTV, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Jaguars schedule 2023

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Jaguars vs Ravens predictions: NFL experts pick Sunday Night Football