JETS (5-8) AT RAVENS (11-2)
TV: Fox, NFL, 8:20 p.m.
Line: Ravens by 15; O/U: 45
This week, TNF stands for Thursday Night Finale as the Jets and Ravens are the last game on the 2019 card. As someone who has always struggled picking on a short week, this is welcome news. What's not is another huge spread in a season full of them.
Lamar Jackson showing up on the injury report gave me pause, but the MVP front-runner is going to play. The Jets won't have any answers for him or Baltimore's nearly-impossible-to-stop rushing attack. The Ravens have won nine straight, and during a five-game stretch outscored their opponents by 14, 17, 36, 34 and 39. If there's one team built to cover such a big number on a short week, this is it.
The Jets are second in the NFL at stopping the run (78.8 ypg), but they haven't faced anyone like Jackson or the different looks Baltimore presents. Likely without Jamal Adams and Quinnen Williams, the Jets could get run over.
The Jets lost their last road game, 22-6, at winless Cincinnati. Now they're facing the best team in the NFL on a short week. The Ravens should win and cover comfortably ... unless Sam Darnold walks into the back door late and then I'll be the one seeing ghosts.
The pick: Ravens
