After a close loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Eagles come back home to face the other AFC North defensive powerhouse: the Baltimore Ravens.
Before we dive into just how hard this game will be for the Eagles, let’s take a look at last year’s stats, their off-season additions/departures, and this year’s stats.
2019 Ranks:
- Yards per game: 407.6 (2nd)
- Passing yards per game: 201.6 (27th)
- Rushing yards per game: 206.0 (1st)
- Points per game: 33.2 (1st)
- Yards allowed per game: 300.6 (4th)
- Passing yards allowed per game: 207.2 (6th)
- Rushing yards allowed per game: 93.4
- Points allowed per game: 17.6 (3rd)
- Turnover differential: +10 (6th)
Key arrivals:
DE Calais Campbell (trade), DE Derek Wolfe (free agency), G D.J. Fluker (free agency), RB J.K. Dobbins (draft), LB Patrick Queen (draft)
Key departures:
LB Patrick Onwuasor (free agency), TE Hayden Hurst (trade), DT Michael Pierce (free agency), CB Brandon Carr (free agency), S Earl Thomas (released)
2020 Ranks:
- Yards per game: 339.6 (24th)
- Passing yards per game: 178.8 (31st)
- Rushing yards per game: 160.8 (3rd)
- Points per game: 29.8 (9th)
- Yards allowed per game: 335.5 (6th)
- Passing yards allowed per game: 243.0 (18th)
- Rushing yards allowed per game: 92.0 (5th)
- Points allowed per game: 15.2 (1st)
- Turnover differential: +5 (T-3rd)
The Eagles What-if game
What if the Eagles drafted Patrick Queen in the first?
What if the Eagles kept L.J. Fort?
What if the Eagles drafted J.K. Dobbins to back up Sanders over Jalen Hurts?
What if the Eagles didn’t trade up for Dillard and drafted Marquise Brown instead?
The Ravens have all of those players mentioned above.
J.K. Dobbins is being used sparingly but has given the Ravens 7.9 YPC on 16 carries. Marquise Brown has 319 yards on 22 receptions, 14.5 YPR. Queen is in the top ten in the league for tackles, and L.J. Fort has proven to be a valuable piece of a great defense.
This is going to be a game where many Eagles fans say “what if”.
PSA: Don’t bring up the trade back that landed the Ravens Lamar Jackson. Eagles weren’t going to draft him. Irrelevant.
Protecting Carson Wentz
The Eagles will go into Sunday with their fifth different offensive line set up in six weeks. Matt Pryor was ruled out, so newcomer Jamon Brown will be making the start at right guard.
A new line combination vs a defense leading the league in blitzes (98) and is second in blitz percentage (44.5%) doesn’t bode well for the Eagles.
The Ravens defense has been dominant:
DVOA for the Ravens' defense:
-4.7% vs pass (7th)
-42.4% vs run (2nd – Steelers 1st)
-19.0% DVOA (3rd)16 sacks (4th)
Blitz %: 44.5% (2nd – Steelers 1st)
Total blitzes: 98 (1st)
6 passing TDs allowed (T-3rd fewest)
3 rush TDs allowed (T-3rd fewest)PPG: 15.2 (1st)#Eagles
— Chris Infante (@Infante54) October 16, 2020
Calais Campbell, whom the Ravens got for a fifth-round pick, is tied for the team lead in pass deflections with five. Yes, a defensive lineman has five deflections. His ability to get up and disrupt the pass this season has been extremely good. The Eagles’ leader is McLeod with five.
The Ravens have forced nine fumbles and have recovered seven of them.
Five different defensive backs have a sack. Marlon Humphrey is tied for the league lead in forced fumbles with three. Patrick Queen and Chuck Clark have two.
The Eagles offensive line, tight ends, and running backs will have their hands full trying to protect Carson Wentz.
For history and predictions, check out the next page.
Photo by Nicole Fridling/Icon Sportswire)
