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Two playoff teams from last season will rumble in Week 15, and it will have huge implications for the AFC playoff picture moving forward. The Baltimore Ravens (10-3; 8-5-0 ATS) are in Florida this December, but it's all business this time. The Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5; 8-5-0 ATS) are welcoming them to EverBank Stadium for a Sunday Night Football clash at 8:20 p.m. EDT. Both teams are in first place entering the weekend. Last year's meeting (in Jacksonville) ended with a 28-27 Jaguars win. Is 2023's bout destined for a similar outcome?
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A win last week paired with losses by the AFC's other three division winners left the Ravens perched alone at the top of the conference. The road ahead is tough, but Baltimore controls their destiny. That's where every team wants to be, and beating the Jaguars could bury one of the few teams left that could catch them. Their success should start with a bounce-back performance from a defense allowing the second-fewest points per game. Last week, the Ravens won despite giving up 31 at home. Baltimore has more sacks than any other team, allows the fewest yards per pass attempt, and gives up the fewest yards per play overall. Starting safety Kyle Hamilton is week-to-week with a knee injury, so it remains to be seen how that could affect the team. Regardless, this Ravens defense is nothing short of elite.
The AFC North-leading Ravens are electric offensively too, with 27.8 points per game (4th) a nd 5.8 yards per play (3rd). They have the most rushing yards in the league, 2,042, on the second-most yards per carry. Through the air, only three teams pick up more yards per pass attempt. Baltimore is also in a three-way tie for the eighth-fewest giveaways in the NFL this season. Lamar Jackson is arguably the most dynamic player in football right now. This Ravens team can win in almost any way this season, which is why they're in line for the AFC's best record.