The Ravens defense has been playing completely lights out, crushing Mark Sanchez like an overripe pumpkin two weeks ago, and then laying waste to the Texans vaunted offense last week.  Now the Ravens face off against Blain Gabbert and the Jags, which just plain doesn’t bode well for the rook and his statistically last place offense.  I can’t believe that the people who make the Monday night schedule thought this would be an intriguing matchup… I guess they’re the same group of people that think public executions would
make for riveting television.
In this game, all of the fantasy value will be predictably on the Ravens’ side of the ball, with Ray Rice, the Ravens’ receivers, and Joe Flacco all very good starts.  Now, the Jags have been fairly frisky on defense, but they’ll wilt under the strain of having to be on the field constantly, as Gabbert is bound to have a lot of three and outs. If you have the Ravens defense, this of course is a no-brainer start for you, as it would be a surprise if the Jaguars manage to score in the double digits for this one.

For the Jaguars offense, they’ll try to sustain drives as much as possible by using clock with the running of Maurice Jones-Drew, who actually has had a pretty good year thus far.  Unfortunately, a run-heavy game plan plays right into the Ravens’ hands, who are stout at the point of attack with Ray Lewis and Haloti Ngata.  The Ravens are more vulnerable to the deep pass, but unfortunately, Gabbert doesn’t have the horses to run in that race; his receivers, led by Mike Thomas, are much better at the short and intermediate passing game.

The Ravens of course will run first through Rice, who should have a nice yardage game and has a good chance of getting in the endzone.  Flacco should also have success with the deep ball, and will most likely take at least a couple of shots down the field to Torrey Smith, making him a worthwhile play at the WR3/Flex position for most fantasy owners this week.  Anquan Boldin should also have a solid game, but he may be hurt statistically if the Ravens jump out to an early lead and put the offense on cruise control the rest of the way.

Good Start:  QB Joe Flacco, RB Ray Rice, WR Anquan Boldin, WR Torrey Smith
Middle of the Road:  TE Ed Dickson, RB Maurice Jones-Drew, WR Mike Thomas
Bad Start:  QB Blaine Gabbert, WR Jason Hill, TE Marcedes Lewis

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