Ricky Dimon
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Week 15 of the 2023 NFL campaign features a Sunday Night Football showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars. Thanks to a 5-1 record in their last 6 games and the Chiefs’ recent loss to Philadelphia, the Ravens are right in the mix for the #1 seed in the AFC. The Chargers, on the other hand, are 4-6 and barely in contention for a wild-card spot.
Here is my Same Game Parlay for the festivities, which kick off at 8:20 pm ET on NBC. Also be sure to check out our full Ravens vs Jaguars predictions.
Ravens -5.5 alternate spread (+124)
Zay Flowers to score a touchdown (+200)
Travis Etienne to record 70+ rushing yards (+220)
Parlay odds: +2580
Part of the value in a Same Game Parlay, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is some of the plan here, as Baltimore receiver Zay Flowers scoring a touchdown would obviously work well with a big win by the Ravens. At the same time, plays that aren’t correlated drive up the overall payout of the parlay. That is the case with backing Jacksonville RB Travis Etienne to rack up his fair share of rushing yards. But even if he does, there is no reason why the visitors can’t take care of business. Let’s break down each of the 3 legs.
Ravens -5.5 alternate spread (+124)
There’s no doubt that both of these teams are good, but I’m not entirely sold on the Jaguars. They have lost 2 in a row and have not defeated any opponent of note since Week 5 (Buffalo). Trevor Lawrence was able to play last weekend despite an ankle injury, but he wasn’t great and Jacksonville lost at Cleveland 31-27 in a game that really wasn’t that close. As for the Ravens, everyone has to be sold on them. How could you not be? It is true that they have some flaws (who doesn’t in the AFC), but Lamar Jackson and company have won 3 consecutive contests and 7 of their last 8. They have exceeded the 30-point mark in 6 of their last 7. I think Baltimore can win this one by a touchdown – or at least close to a touchdown.
Zay Flowers to score a touchdown (+200)
Flowers has been one of the best rookies in the business this season. The first-round pick out of Boston College has 673 yards on 64 catches to go along with 4 total touchdowns (3 receiving, 1 rushing). Flowers has been especially hot of late; all 4 of his TDs have come in the last 8 games, including 3 in the past 2 outings. He has been targeted 18 times in the last 2 weeks after catching 6 of 10 targets for 60 yards and a score during last Sunday’s victory over the Rams. Baltimore now faces a Jacksonville defense that is #31 in the NFL against the pass (265.2 yards per game) and has surrendered 22 touchdowns through the air.
Travis Etienne to record 70+ rushing yards (+220)
As mentioned above, the Ravens’ offense is on fire; they consistently score more than 30 points per game. The Jaguars’ best shot at containing them is simply by keeping them off the field for as long as possible. As such, Jacksonville should feed the rock to Etienne early and often. It makes sense against Baltimore’s defense, too. The Ravens are quite simply the best passing defense in the entire league; they are technically fourth in that department (180.2 yards per game allowed) but lead the way – by a country mile – with a mere 5.6 yards per pass attempt allowed. Etienne has run for at least 52 yards in 2 of the last 4 games and he has churned out 77 yards or more on 4 occasions – including a 136-yard outburst against Buffalo. The former Clemson standout has a great chance to reach the 70 mark on Sunday night.
