Ravens Regroup, Beat Jaguars: 3 Things We Learned

The Jacksonville Jaguars lost its 12^th game of the season, falling to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, 20-12 on the road. Despite four field goals by Josh Scobee, a solid defensive effort by the Jaguars front line and special teams’ trickery which included an onside kick and a fake punt, Jacksonville could mount little offense in a game they controlled most of the first half.

The Ravens defense had a solid game of their own, putting quarterback Blake Bortles on the turf eight times during the game. The Ravens did not show much firepower in their offense, but did enough to come away with a win and stay in contention for a playoff spot in the AFC.

All three contenders in the AFC North – Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Baltimore – all won on Sunday to keep pace for the division title.

The Ravens (9-5) scored just once with their offense on the field and gained only 31 yards rushing through three quarters. According to the Associated Press and printed on ESPN.com, tThe usually reliable Justin Tucker missed two field goal tries, and all three units made enough mistakes to keep a football coach up late at night -- even after a victory.

"We had too many to overcome to play the kind of football we wanted to play," coach John Harbaugh said. "Too many long-yardage situations, too many penalties, too many special teams penalties ... too many things we had to clean up."

The Jaguars must now prepare for a Thursday night title with Tennessee at home.

Here are three things we learned from this game Sunday.

JOSH SCOBEE IS STILL RELIABLE

The special teams unit of the Jaguars has been a question mark all season, and it showed again on the first series of the game.

Bryan Anger’s blocked punt led to the first score of the day with a touchdown. But Scobee began the Jaguars scoring on the next drive. The 11-year veteran scored on four of five field goals on the day – two from 45 yards, and two from 54 yards. He did miss in the second half on 42-yard attempt.

BORTLES PLAYS INJURED

Bortles completed 21 of 37 passes for 210 yards, and an interception that came in the game's final minute. He threw under pressure for most of the game -- Baltimore's season-high eight sacks increased the number Jacksonville has yielded this season to 62.

Bortles played much of the game with a sprained right foot and was in a walking boot afterward.

"They're great up front. We knew that coming into the game," Bortles said of the Ravens. "A lot of the sacks were on me holding the ball too long. It's something that I'm working on and have to do better."

In contrast, Joe Flacco went 20 for 30 for 221 yards and a touchdown for the Ravens, who blanked the Jaguars over the final 30 minutes.

GAME NOTES

Ravens safety Terrence Brooks hurt his right knee on the game's first play and is likely lost for the season, Harbaugh said. ... Jaguars linebacker Ryan Davis (hip) and Ravens defensive back Asa Jackson (knee) left early and did not return. ... Flacco went over 25,000 yards for his career. He's at 25,024. ... Ravens wide receiver  Steve Smith became the 18th player in NFL history with 900 career catches.