The Baltimore Ravens will likely have to go the rest of the 2026 regular season without star quarterback Lamar Jackson. The two-time NFL MVP made his return to action on Sunday after a three-game absence due to an ankle injury, but that comeback was very short-lived. On the first play from scrimmage for the Ravens offense, Jackson jammed his right thumb on Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau on a follow-through.
That injury not only knocked him out of the game, but head coach Jesse Minter told reporters postgame that Jackson will go on injured reserve and will undergo surgery. On top of this injury turning Baltimore's season upside down, it's also thrown the line for their Week 9 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars for a loop. Not only did Jackson go down on Sunday, but backup Tyler Huntley (toe) also did, and his status for Week 9 is up in the air.
That could result in undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano getting the start. With that uncertainty under center, it's no surprise to see the Ravens go from being a 3-point favorite at home to now an 8.5-point home underdog. The total also dropped from 48.5 down to 43.5.
This just shows how much a line can swing when a player of Jackson's caliber is sidelined. While we won't see as dramatic of swings throughout the rest of the Week 9 slate, there has been some notable movement that is worth pointing out. So, as we close the book on Week 8, let's take our first glimpse at the upcoming week and who the oddsmakers have coming out on top.
Note: Pittsburgh and Tennessee are on the bye in Week 9. All lines via DraftKings; all games on Sunday unless noted As we noted in the intro, the Lamar Jackson injury has nuked this line. Baltimore is now an 8.5-point home underdog to the Jaguars after opening as a field goal favorite.
The total also dropped down to 43.5 after opening at 48.5. Jacksonville is 4-3 ATS on the season, which includes a 1-1 ATS record on the road. Amid all of the QB turnover even prior to this latest Jackson injury, the Ravens enter Week 9 0-3 ATS at home.
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