Ravens vs. Jets: Bold predictions for Baltimore's Week 12 AFC clash

After navigating injuries for the better part of the regular season so far, the Baltimore Ravens are getting healthy for the home stretch. The injury report was hefty all week, but game statuses are out. Rashod Bateman (ankle) and Keyon Martin (rib) are the only two players ruled out for the home team.

On the New York Jets' side, Will McDonald IV, Harrison Phillips, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, and Kene Nwangwu are all questionable for the visitors. Week 12 seems to be shaping up as a blowout, but one can never tell from one week to another.

The line will tell you the Ravens are the favorites to win, and doggone it, they should be. Still, as always, you should expect the best effort from a Jets team that doesn't have the horses to run the long-distance race.

Lamar Jackson throws three TDs or more.

Lamar Jackson has always been known as someone who can beat teams with his arm and his legs. Yes, he can still do that, but now, when he escapes the pocket, he's keeping his eyes downfield to deliver the football.

At some point, his legs will be used to make game-altering plays, but he may not need to do that this week. Again, Bateman is out of the lineup, but Jackson still has Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, DeAndre Hopkins, and Isaiah Likely to deliver the ball to. That will be enough. Figure three TD passes in this one.

Isaiah Likely scores his first TD of the regular season.

Isaiah Likely has gotten off to a great start this season since returning to the Ravens lineup. He wasn't targeted against the Kansas City Chiefs. He hasn't been targeted more than three times in any game he has played in this season (and that has only happened once).

Jackson was explicitly asked about Likely's slow start this week, and the star QB says he isn't worried. This feels like the game where Todd Monken can get him the ball. Expect the Ravens offense to spam him with the football, with one reception leading to six points.

The Ravens' defense forces two turnovers. Their offense doesn't commit any.

Tyrod Taylor gets the start for the Jets in this one. If what we remember about him is correct, he's solid, but no one is going to mistake him for Lamar Jackson.

This is a QB duel slanted heavily in Baltimore's favor. Taylor is 0-1 in three appearances this season. He has thrown three TD passes and three interceptions on 69 pass attempts.

He has also lost a fumble. This seems like another opportunity for Zach Orr's defense to force turnovers. We're betting on two or more turnovers-free football from the Ravens offense.

Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, and Malaki Starks combine for 18-20 tackles.

This one may be a stretch, but only because we don't think the Jets' offense can sustain many drives during the second half. Make no mistake. Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, and Malaki Starks are completely capable of a combined 20 tackles.

Teddye Buchanan leads the team in total stops. Smith, Hamilton, and Starks follow him in that order. This is going to be target practice for the Ravens.

Baltimore wins by 14 or more.

The Jets aren't pushovers. They aren't going to quit; however, one team here is just better than the other. The Ravens should win, and they will. It just won't look as we expected.

The Jets keep it close for a quarter, maybe two. Then, talent takes over in the second half. Expect a huge win to get the Ravens over .500 for the first time this season. Final score prediction: Ravens 34 - Jets 17

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens vs. Jets: Bold predictions for Baltimore's Week 12 AFC clash