Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Fagnano (12) passes against the Buffalo Bills in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Fagnano (12) passes against the Buffalo Bills in the first half during an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Joe Fagnano's NFL career is beginning with two games in five days. There's not a lot of time to stop and think.
"Ask my wife. We go through walkthroughs in the living room. She's reading plays and stuff," Baltimore's latest starting quarterback said. "She probably knows the playbook just as well as us at this point."
Fagnano was thrust into duty last weekend, when Baltimore had to turn to its No. 3 quarterback because of injuries to Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. Now he's set to start Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars, as the Ravens try to prevent their season from careening off the rails. They are finalizing a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, a person with knowledge of the trade told The Associated Press on Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been completed.
Jacksonville has a three-game lead in the AFC South and is suddenly a huge favorite despite being on the road on a short week. This is a game that probably seemed daunting for the Jaguars when it first appeared on the schedule, but a lot has changed.
"We do a great job of not underestimating or overestimating the opponent if something's going to happen -- of not panicking, doing our job," Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen said. "I think this is another case for that."
Jacksonville already has benefited from weakened opponents this season. The Jaguars beat Philadelphia last month in London with the Eagles missing running back Saquon Barkley, leading receiver DeVonta Smith and pass rusher Jonathan Greenard -- and days after right tackle Lane Johnson abruptly retired and the team traded center Cam Jurgens to Baltimore.
They thumped Indianapolis last week after the Colts traded two of their best players, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and guard Quenton Nelson.
One question is what type of crowd the Jaguars will be up against this week. It would be understandable if Baltimore fans were a little demoralized, with Jackson expected to go on injured reserve and Huntley possibly headed there as well. Even before Jackson left last weekend's game at Buffalo with a thumb injury, the Ravens had lost five of their past six home games.
"Hopefully the fan base comes out there and gives us an opportunity, gives us a little grace. I think all of us wanted to be better than 4-4 at this point in time in the season," defensive lineman Calais Campbell said. "We win a couple games, and we're still in it. Who knows what happens with guys coming back and all that stuff? I'm still holding out hope."
Besides Fagnano, who has been dealing with an ankle injury himself, the Ravens are down to Kedon Slovis and Austin Reed at quarterback. Brissett likely would start against the Chargers on Nov. 15.
The Jaguars are playing their first Thursday night game since winning at New Orleans in 2023. They are also 14-4 against the AFC under second-year Coach Liam Coen. They have outscored AFC opponents 553-320 in those games, a plus-233 scoring margin that's the best in the NFL by 91 points.
Last week, Jacksonville became the first team since Kansas City in 2004 to have 2 touchdown passes of 25 or more yards and 2 rushing touchdowns of 25 or more yards in the same game. The Jaguars' 10 scores of 25-plus yards this season lead the NFL.
Henry is ninth on the NFL's career rushing list with 13,650 yards. He is 12 yards behind Jerome Bettis and 34 behind LaDainian Tomlinson.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Quinn Ewers passes over Indianapolis Colts linebacker Caden Curry during the second half of an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Quinn Ewers passes over Indianapolis Colts linebacker Caden Curry during the second half of an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)