The Ravens will send a soldier out for Thursday night's coin toss.
Ahmad Khalid Noori, a former captain in the Afghan National Army, is Baltimore's honorary captain when the Ravens (4-4) host the AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) on Thursday Night Football at M&T Bank Stadium. Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video, and the night doubles as both the team's Purple Rising game and its Salute to Service celebration honoring members of every branch of the U.S. military.
Honorary Captain: Ahmad Khalid Noori
Noori spent six years in uniform for Afghanistan, deploying across the country and leading high-risk counterterrorism missions side by side with U.S. Special Operations Forces. His service was built around protecting his homeland and the civilians who had no way to protect themselves.
That career ended when Afghanistan fell in 2021. Noori was forced to leave the country behind and resettle in the United States, and somewhere along the way he became a dedicated Ravens fan. On Thursday, he walks onto the field at midfield as one of the team's own.
It is a fitting choice for a game the organization has built around military service from the national anthem through halftime.
Salute to Service: Anthem, Flags and Introductions
The Salute to Service theme runs through the entire pregame.
Player introductions: Baltimore's starting offense will run out of the tunnel alongside service members carrying American flags.
National anthem: The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets will perform the anthem while current service members and veterans unfurl a giant American flag on the field. Six additional flags — one for each branch of the U.S. military — will be displayed alongside it.
Halftime: Baltimore's Marching Ravens return at the break with a tribute to each military branch, set to an interactive light show.
Purple Rising: Wear Purple
The Ravens will pair their Purple Rising alternate helmets with all-purple uniforms on Thursday, and the team is asking fans to match. If you own anything purple, this is the night to wear it.
Pregame Concert: Cheat Codes at the North Plaza
The party starts early. EDM and dance-pop trio Cheat Codes — Trevor Dahl, Matthew Russell and Kevin Ford — will play a pregame set from the Bud Light Talon in the stadium's new North Plaza from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. Expect a high-energy mix of electronic production and pop hooks built for a crowd warming up for a primetime game.
The Uprising: Poe Flies at Night for the First Time
Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 7:45 p.m. for "The Uprising," the Ravens' new pregame entertainment sequence designed to build momentum toward kickoff and celebrate Baltimore's football traditions.
The headliner is Poe. The Ravens mascot will once again "fly" from the top of the stadium down to the field — and Thursday marks the first time he has done it after dark. The sequence also includes the Ravens Cheerleaders, a stunt team, the Marching Ravens and a full light show.
PixMob NOVA Max Light Show
Thursday's lighting is a first for the league. Beginning with The Uprising and continuing through player introductions, the Ravens will combine their LED stadium lighting with PixMob's NOVA Max technology to produce synchronized effects and full "blackout" moments across the bowl.
More than 3,000 NOVA Max units, each built with 21 LEDs, have been installed throughout the stadium. That makes M&T Bank Stadium the first outdoor NFL venue to use the system.
Leader of the Uprising: Bart Scott
Thursday's "Leader of the Uprising" is Bart Scott, the linebacker who arrived in Baltimore as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2002 and stayed for seven seasons. Scott made the Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro recognition in 2006, when he was a key piece of the NFL's No. 1-ranked defense.
Legend of the Game: Ben Grubbs
The Legend of the Game is guard Ben Grubbs, Baltimore's first-round pick in 2007. Grubbs anchored the offensive line across 83 games, helping the Ravens reach the playoffs four straight seasons from 2008 to 2011 and play in two AFC Championship Games. He was named to the Pro Bowl after the 2011 season.
On the Field: A Short Week Without Lamar Jackson
The football side of Thursday is a tough one for Baltimore. The Ravens arrive on a three-game losing streak after a 36-10 loss in Buffalo on Sunday, a game in which Lamar Jackson — back from a high ankle sprain that cost him three October games — hurt his thumb on his first snap. Jackson is out, and Jesse Minter has said the two-time MVP needs surgery, with reports indicating the injury could end his season. Backup Tyler Huntley is also dealing with a toe injury, leaving undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano in line to make his first NFL start.
Jacksonville, meanwhile, comes to town rolling after a 42-7 rout of the Colts. Trevor Lawrence has played his way into the early MVP conversation, and the Jaguars arrive as clear road favorites in a game that could carry AFC tiebreaker weight come January. A loud, purple, fully seated crowd by 7:45 is about the best home-field edge the Ravens can ask for.
Gameday Timeline
| Time (ET) | Event |
|---|---|
| 6:45–7:30 p.m. | Cheat Codes pregame concert, Bud Light Talon (North Plaza) |
| 7:45 p.m. | Fans encouraged to be in seats for The Uprising |
| Pregame | Poe's night flight, PixMob NOVA Max light show, Bart Scott leads The Uprising |
| Pregame | Offense introduced with flag-carrying service members |
| Pregame | National anthem by the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets |
| 8:15 p.m. | Kickoff |
| Halftime | Marching Ravens Salute to Service tribute and light show |
What to Bring
The forecast calls for a mild night in the mid-60s with a good chance of rain, so plan for a poncho or rain jacket alongside your purple. M&T Bank Stadium's clear-bag policy is in effect: a clear bag no larger than roughly 12" x 6" x 12", a one-gallon clear freezer bag, or a small clutch.
Game Information
Matchup: Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) at Baltimore Ravens (4-4)
When: Thursday, Nov. 5, 8:15 p.m. ET
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, 1101 Russell St., Baltimore
Fans in seats by: 7:45 p.m. ET
Weather: Mid-60s, 60% chance of rain
TV/Streaming: Prime Video (Thursday Night Football)
Radio: 98 Rock (97.9 FM) and WBAL NewsRadio (AM 1090 / FM 101.5)