Welcome to Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season. Thursday Night Football features an intriguing AFC showdown as the Jacksonville Jaguars travel to take on the Baltimore Ravens. Jacksonville enters as heavy road favorites even though they might be without their starting running back. Of course, Baltimore took a major hit last week, losing their top two quarterbacks potentially for the season.
This article breaks down the key DFS plays, potential values, game-script considerations, and players to approach with caution as we look for the best ways to build competitive lineups for Thursday night.
Jaguars vs. Ravens DFS Picks & Preview: Thursday Night Football, 11/5
The biggest storyline is Baltimore's quarterback situation. Lamar Jackson is expected to miss extended time after suffering a thumb injury against Buffalo, while backup Tyler Huntley is out for the season. That leaves undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano in line to make his first NFL start. Fagnano faces an enormous challenge against a Jacksonville defense that has created turnovers and made life difficult for opposing offenses. The Ravens will likely lean heavily on veteran running back Derrick Henry, who has rushed for 632 yards and eight touchdowns, to take pressure off their inexperienced quarterback.
On the other side, Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars enter with plenty of confidence after dismantling Indianapolis 42-7. Lawrence has thrown 17 touchdowns against just four interceptions, and Jacksonville's offense has shown it can generate explosive plays through the air and on the ground. Wide receiver Zay Flowers will be an important player for Baltimore, while Jacksonville will look to keep its offensive momentum rolling. However, the Jaguars must also account for their own injuries, particularly the season-ending losses of defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton and safety Eric Murray.
Ultimately, Jacksonville appears to have a significant advantage at quarterback and on both sides of the football. Baltimore's home-field advantage and Henry's ability to control the game could keep things competitive, but asking a rookie quarterback to keep pace with Lawrence against a strong Jaguars defense is a difficult assignment.
Jaguars vs. Ravens TNF Odds
- Spread:
- Jaguars -10 (-105)
- Ravens +10 (-115)
- Money Line:
- Jaguars (-520)
- Ravens (+390)
- Game Total:
- Over 39.5 (-112)
- Under 39.5 (-108)
NFL Weather: Jaguars vs. Ravens TNF, November 5th
Weather conditions should be relatively mild, with temperatures in the upper-60s at kickoff. Skies are expected to be mostly cloudy, with a chance of light showers. Winds should remain light at approximately 5 mph, with occasional gusts potentially reaching 15 mph.
Jaguars vs. Ravens Injuries: Thursday Night Football Week 9
The Jaguars enter Thursday dealing with several important injuries, most notably running back Bhayshul Tuten (ankle/foot), who is listed as questionable after missing practice all week. Defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (knee) and safety Eric Murray (elbow) are sidelined, while defensive end Travon Walker (ribs) is questionable.
The Ravens have an even more concerning situation, particularly at quarterback. Lamar Jackson (right thumb) has been ruled out and placed on injured reserve, while backup Tyler Huntley (toe) is out for the season. Rookie Joe Fagnano (ankle) is set to make his first NFL start, despite his own injury. Kicker Tyler Loop (groin) has also been placed on injured reserve, with Jake Moody expected to handle kicking duties.
NFL Thursday Night Football DFS Picks: MVP/Captain
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars - DraftKings: $10,600 | FanDuel: $11,800
Through seven games this season, Lawrence has completed 130 of 198 passes (65.7%) for 1,690 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He is coming off an outstanding performance against Indianapolis, completing 10 of 14 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns in Jacksonville's 42-7 victory. Lawrence has thrown multiple touchdown passes in five of his seven games.
The biggest concern is Jacksonville potentially building a comfortable lead and reducing Lawrence's passing volume late in the game. That game script has already played out multiple times this season and is very much in play given the double-digit spread.
Bhayshul Tuten (if active), RB, Jacksonville Jaguars – DraftKings: $9,800 | FanDuel: $11,200
Tuten is legitimately questionable and in jeopardy of being inactive Thursday. Confirm his status before adding him to lineups. Assuming he is active and in line for a full workload, he is one of the top options on the slate. However, even if he is active, he is at risk of a reduced workload in a game Jacksonville is projected to win comfortably, and he may not be 100% healthy.
Parker Washington, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars - DraftKings: $9,400 | FanDuel: $10,800
Washington has emerged as a major weapon in Jacksonville's passing attack, recording 27 receptions for 432 yards (16.0 yards per catch) and four touchdowns this season. He has demonstrated tremendous big-play ability, highlighted by his six-catch, 124-yard, two-touchdown performance against Philadelphia. He followed that up with a strong performance against Houston before a lopsided win limited his production last week.
Baltimore has struggled to contain opposing wide receivers, allowing the fifth-most yards per game to the position. But the primary question remains how aggressive Jacksonville will be if they build up a comfortable lead.
Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens – DraftKings: $10,200 | FanDuel: $12,400
Through eight games this season, Henry has recorded 158 carries for 632 rushing yards (4.0 yards per carry) and eight rushing touchdowns, while adding 12 receptions for 75 yards and another receiving touchdown. However, his recent production has cooled, with 60 or fewer total yards in each of his last three games. And now, the offense will be in the hands of an undrafted rookie quarterback.
Jacksonville presents a difficult matchup, ranking among the league's best run defenses and allowing just 3.3 yards per carry to opposing running backs. The absence of defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton could help create additional running lanes, but Henry will still face a challenging front seven. Overall, Henry is a high-upside tournament option with significant touchdown potential, but his difficult matchup and recent dip in production make him a riskier play.
Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens – DraftKings: $10,400 | FanDuel: $9,400
Through seven games this season, Flowers has recorded 40 receptions for 608 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 15.2 yards per reception. He has demonstrated tremendous big-play ability, highlighted by his 150-yard performance against Indianapolis and an eight-catch, 137-yard, one-touchdown outing against Cincinnati. However, he is coming off a disappointing performance against Buffalo in which he failed to record a reception despite receiving five targets.
The biggest concern is Baltimore's quarterback situation. Flowers' production and efficiency have been noticeably less consistent without Jackson, making his target quality and overall production difficult to trust.
NFL Thursday Night Football DFS Picks: Core Plays
Joe Fagnano, QB, Baltimore Ravens – DraftKings: $8,400 | FanDuel: $10,200
Fagnano made his NFL debut against Buffalo last week, completing 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards and one interception while also losing a fumble. Although the results were underwhelming, he showed some poise under pressure and demonstrated some ability to push the ball downfield. Now, the undrafted rookie will make his first NFL start on a short week in primetime.
Fagnano is a high-risk, low-floor option, particularly against a Jacksonville defense that has been playing well and presents a difficult challenge for an inexperienced quarterback.
Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars - DraftKings: $7,400 | FanDuel: $6,600
Strange has quietly put together a productive season, totaling 28 receptions for 334 yards and one touchdown through seven games. He has shown he can contribute as more than a short-yardage safety valve, recording a season-best 95 receiving yards against Cincinnati and hauling in a 46-yard reception against Indianapolis last week.
Baltimore has defended tight ends reasonably well this season, but they have allowed six touchdowns to the position through eight games. Baltimore could struggle to contain Lawrence's multiple receiving targets, which may create opportunities for Strange to work the middle of the field and find openings against the linebackers and safeties.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars – DraftKings: $7,000 | FanDuel: $8,400
Through seven games this season, Meyers has recorded 22 receptions for 309 yards and two touchdowns on 31 targets. Last week against Indianapolis, he was limited to two receptions for 24 yards on three targets while playing 54% of the offensive snaps. The lopsided score likely contributed to the reduction in snaps, as he played at least 74% of snaps in each of the five games before the bye.
Meyers trails Washington and Strange in target share this season, but he does offer considerable upside as Lawrence's number three option. Notably, he is second on the team behind only Washington in red-zone targets.
Chris Rodriguez, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars - DraftKings: $3,400 | FanDuel: $5,400
Rodriguez is a core play if Tuten is inactive. More than 90% of the field should roster him as a completely mispriced RB1 and a 10-point favorite. He also deserves consideration in the Captain/MVP spot in that scenario, as he has considerable upside as the primary early-down and goal-line back.
If Tuten suits up, Rodriguez is still a strong value play. There is a non-zero chance Tuten could aggravate the injuries he's been dealing with this week, which would mean more work for Rodriguez. If Jacksonville jumps out to a big lead, a lopsided score would also allow them to lean heavily on Rodriguez over a less than 100% healthy Tuten.
Rodriguez has multiple paths to finding his way into optimal lineups at these price points, especially given Tuten's situation.
NFL Thursday Night Football DFS Picks: Mid-Tier Plays
Brian Thomas, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars - DraftKings: $6,400 | FanDuel: $7,600
Thomas is more of a boom-or-bust option than a reliable contributor. He has the speed and athleticism to produce a long touchdown on limited opportunities, which makes him worth considering in larger-field tournaments. The problem is his involvement in the passing game and the looming trade deadline.
Jacksonville could showcase their seldom-used but talented wide receiver for a potential trade, or keep him on the sidelines to ensure he is healthy heading into the deadline. The risk is extreme, but the payoff could be significant at low ownership.
Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens – DraftKings: $4,400 | FanDuel: $5,800
The veteran tight end has struggled to produce consistently this season, recording 29 receptions for 218 yards and one touchdown on 41 targets through eight games. His recent performances have been particularly disappointing, totaling just seven receptions for 41 yards over his last three contests. Now he gets an undrafted rookie quarterback under center and a brutal matchup against Jacksonville.
Andrews is little more than a large-field tournament flier given his situation this week and recent production.
NFL Thursday Night Football DFS Picks: Value Plays
Justice Hill, RB, Baltimore Ravens - DraftKings: $3,200 | FanDuel: $4,800
Hill is an especially interesting value option because of his pass-catching ability and the possibility that Baltimore spends much of Thursday night's game playing from behind. He caught four of eight targets for 20 yards against Buffalo last week, leading Baltimore in targets.
With a rookie making his first NFL start at quarterback, Hill could become an important safety valve underneath, giving the young signal caller a reliable option when Jacksonville brings pressure.
Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens – DraftKings: $3,800 | FanDuel: $8,200
Bateman has played on more than 70% of Baltimore's snaps this season, including 76% last week. He ranks third on the team in target share, totaling 19 receptions for 288 yards and one touchdown on 29 targets this season.
Bateman's outlook largely depends on how Baltimore's passing game functions with Fagnano under center. Jacksonville could force Baltimore into an aggressive passing approach if the Jaguars build a lead, potentially creating more opportunities for Bateman. His ability to stretch the field makes him an appealing tournament target, especially for lineups that expect Baltimore to play from behind.
The pricing difference by site is highly noteworthy. Bateman would need a much bigger performance to justify his FanDuel price than his value-range price tag on DraftKings.
Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, Baltimore Ravens - DraftKings: $4,000 | FanDuel: $4,400
Lane has played on at least 54% of snaps in each of the last three weeks. However, he managed just one reception for 13 yards on a single target last week against Buffalo. On DraftKings, where Andrews and Bateman are cheap, Lane is a large-field tournament contrarian option. He has more appeal on FanDuel, where Bateman is priced up.
TNF DFS Picks: Kickers & D/ST
Cam Little has converted 10 of 12 field-goal attempts (83.3%) and 16 of 17 extra-point attempts, including a 60-yard field goal. His powerful leg gives him upside even when Jacksonville's offense struggles to finish drives. Jacksonville could also build a comfortable lead, allowing the offense to play more conservatively and settle for field goals rather than keep pushing for touchdowns.
Jake Moody is stepping into the kicking role after Tyler Loop was ruled out with a groin injury. Although Moody has not attempted a field goal this season, he brings NFL experience, having converted 64 of 82 career field-goal attempts (78.0%) and 107 of 110 extra-point attempts (97.3%). He also showed improved accuracy last season, converting 18 of 20 field goals across appearances with Chicago and Washington. Baltimore's offensive efficiency with an undrafted rookie quarterback is an obvious concern.
Jaguars D/ST might be one of the more units we see on a single-game slate this season, largely because of Baltimore's quarterback situation. Jacksonville has been opportunistic defensively this season, recording 15 sacks, nine interceptions, and four forced fumbles through seven games. The Jaguars have also allowed just 15.9 points per game, making them a difficult matchup for an inexperienced quarterback.
Ravens D/ST has struggled this season, allowing 25.4 points and 241.9 passing yards per game. The Ravens have also struggled to generate consistent pressure, averaging about 2.1 sacks per game. The Ravens will need to generate pressure and capitalize on any mistakes to produce meaningful fantasy points. The concern is that Jacksonville could control possession and put points on the board, limiting Baltimore's defensive ceiling.
Jaguars vs. Ravens DFS Player Pool: TNF, 11/5
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