When the NFL schedule was released in May, the Week 9 Thursday Night Football clash between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens looked like one of the season's marquee games.

It was expected to be a matchup featuring two AFC heavyweights, one that would carry significant playoff implications.

The Jaguars have held up their end of the bargain, racing out to a 5-2 record and looking like one of the NFL's elite teams.

The Ravens, on the other hand, have fallen short of expectations. They are only 4-4 and in last place in the AFC North.

Two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson returned in Week 8 from a three-game absence due to a high-ankle sprain, only to suffer a serious thumb injury on the first snap against the Buffalo Bills. Jackson's newest injury requires surgery and is expected to sideline him for the rest of the season, likely ending Baltimore's chances of reaching the Super Bowl.

Jackson's backup, Tyler Huntley, also went down with a season-ending turf toe injury after replacing Jackson against Buffalo.

Now Baltimore must turn to undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano, who will be making his first NFL start against a strong Jacksonville defense. Fagnano was also injured in the Bills' game, but has worked hard to play on Thursday night.

On Wednesday, the Ravens traded for former Arizona Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett, who was just demoted to third-string after starting the team's first eight games. Brissett won't be ready to play against Jacksonville, leaving the offense in Fagnano's hands.

The Jaguars must overcome their own injury issues to walk out of Baltimore with their sixth victory of the season. Jacksonville also suffered a pair of season-ending injuries in its Week 8 42-7 thrashing of the Indianapolis Colts.

Run-stuffing defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton will miss the rest of the year after tearing his quad. Starting safety Eric Murray joined Hamilton on injured reserve with an elbow injury.

Running back Bhayshul Tuten, who is having a phenomenal season, is a game-time decision after not practicing all week with ankle and foot injuries. Star edge rusher Travon Walker is questionable with a rib ailment, though he got in limited practices on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Without Jackson, Baltimore will likely lean on star running back Derrick Henry to help take the pressure off Fagnano. Henry remains one of the NFL's premier RBs. As long as he is on the field, the Ravens remain a dangerous team.

Stopping Henry is number one of my five keys to a Jaguars' victory. Jacksonville has the league's top run defense, but it will be hard to overcome the loss of Hamilton. Expect the Jaguars to load the box to keep Henry contained and force Baltimore's crippled passing attack to beat them.

Offensively, Jacksonville's potent attack should have success against a Ravens defense that allows over 25 points per game. QB Trevor Lawrence is playing at an MVP level and could have a big night against Baltimore's suspect pass defense.

For the second game in a row, the Jaguars are playing a team that will be at much less than full strength. Last week, the Colts got an early start on their rebuild by trading stars Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner before playing Jacksonville. Now the Jaguars get to play a Ravens team missing its superstar QB and his primary backup.

An undrafted rookie QB making his first NFL start against a terrific team like Jacksonville is a nightmare scenario for the Ravens. In the days of Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs, Baltimore's defense could dominate a game without needing help from the offense.

Those days are long gone. The Jaguars dominate and improve to 6-2.

Prediction: Jaguars 34, Ravens 10