Table of Content
Undrafted rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano will make his first career start for the Baltimore Ravens when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night Football in Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season. CBS Sports Headlines reported that Fagnano steps into the starting role after injuries sidelined both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley during the team’s loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Ravens Turn to Emergency Third-String Quarterback
Fagnano was signed as a free agent in April following the 2026 NFL Draft and served as the emergency third-string quarterback last Sunday. Jackson returned from a three-game absence due to a high ankle sprain but injured his thumb on the opening offensive play, placing him on injured reserve. Backup Tyler Huntley then exited in the second quarter with a season-ending toe injury, thrusting Fagnano into action.
The 25-year-old completed 10-of-21 passes for 91 yards with one interception and was sacked three times during Baltimore’s 36-10 defeat. Fagnano also sustained an ankle injury but finished the game. He now leads the 4-4 Ravens against a 5-2 Jacksonville squad coming off a 42-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
Jacksonville Aims to Continue Momentum
Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes in the win against Indianapolis, while Bhayshul Tuten led the team in rushing and receiving with career highs of 104 and 55 yards, respectively. Tuten, who is questionable for Thursday’s game due to an ankle injury, recorded a 39-yard touchdown run and a 25-yard scoring reception against the Colts.
Jacksonville holds a 13-11 advantage in the all-time series against Baltimore, though the Ravens won 23-7 in their last meeting in 2023. Baltimore has won seven of the last eight home games against the Jaguars. Consensus odds list the Jaguars as 10-point favorites for the Thursday matchup.
Thursday Sports Betting and Broadcast Slate
In addition to the NFL action, Thursday features two NBA matchups, an 11-game NHL schedule, and two college football games. CBS Sports Headlines outlined top model predictions and expert picks for the slate.
For the NFL matchup, the SportsLine Projection Model predicts the Over of 39.5 points will hit in 64% of simulations, while expert Eric Cohen expects Trevor Lawrence to go Under 29.5 pass attempts as Jacksonville leans on its rushing attack. In the NBA, the Miami Heat face the Golden State Warriors, where the model favors the Over of 234.5 points, though expert Alex Selesnick leans Under 13.5 points for Klay Thompson against his former team. On the NHL ice, the Vancouver Canucks visit the Winnipeg Jets, with the model assigning an “A” grade to the Under of 6.5 goals in 66% of simulations. In college football, UTSA visits Florida Atlantic, and the model projects the Under of 72.5 points to hit in nearly 71% of simulations.
