It certainly wasn’t the most exciting game we will watch this season, but the Philadelphia Eagles took down the Baltimore Ravens in their first preseason game 16-13 Friday night in Baltimore.
The Eagles showed some promise on their first drive as Kenneth Gainwell rattled off some solid runs and Kenny Pickett connected on a couple of quick passes, but the drive stalled after a failed 4th down attempt to turn the ball over on downs.
The first drive for the defense looked worrisome at the start, giving up a two big chunks on back-to-back passes for 29 yards to allow the Ravens to quickly move into Eagles territory. The defense shored up and forced the Ravens to a field goal where Justin Tucker made a 46-yard kick to make it a 3-0 lead for Baltimore with 9:20 left in the first quarter.
The best drive for the Eagles’ offense in the first half came on the ensuing possession. A 15-play, 75 yard march was capped off by a 7-yard touchdown pass from Pickett to running back Will Shipley. Shipley dominated on that drive, racking up 23 yards on seven carries, picking up a couple of key third downs to keep the drive moving to go along with that touchdown reception. Jake Elliot missed the extra point to make it 6-3 Eagles near the end of the opening quarter.
The Ravens would once again move the ball effectively on their next drive, going 61 yards on 10 plays, but, for a second straight drive, the defense did not break and held the Ravens inside the five yard line to force Baltimore to send Tucker out for another field goal to tie the game at 6-6 with 10:30 left in the second quarter.
Both teams struggled to formulate anything for the rest of the half taking the tie into halftime.
The second half wasn’t much better for both sides, but Tanner McKee looked sharp on his first drive at quarterback for the Eagles, leading the offense to a touchdown on a 17-play, 74-yard drive that took seven-and-a-half minutes off the clock. McKee completed five of his nine pass attempts on the drive which capped off with a two-yard touchdown run from Lew Nichols III to give the Eagles their second lead of the game, 13-6 with 2:16 left in the third.
Baltimore tied it up in the fourth quarter on a long drive of its own, converting on a 4th and goal from the one-yard line to tie the game, 13-13.
McKee orchestrated a drive to set the Eagles up for a game-winning field goal with 21 seconds left in regulation, but Elliott bounced the kick off the upright for his second missed kick of the game.
Staring at a tied game, the defense came through for the Eagles on Baltimore’s first play after the missed kick thanks to Patrick Johnson. Johnson came flying into the backfield for strip sack quarterback Emory Jones recovered the fumble at the Baltimore 40-yard line to give Elliot a chance at redemption to win the game.
Elliot’s second chance game-winner was drilled through the uprights to seal the victory for the Eagles.
Eagles Standouts:
Shipley was impressive on the second drive of the game for the Eagles. He was a clear standout on the offensive side of the football and clearly looks hungry to take over as the backup running back on the depth chart as he will battle Gainwell for carries once the regular season starts.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
A lot of attention will be on the former Clemson product with his name alone. However, his play in the game certainly stood out. The rookie made an instant impact once he stepped on the field, tied for the team lead with six tackles (four solo) to go along with a sack. If he continues to put in performances like that, he may find himself starting Week 1.
Mekhi Becton
Not as noticeable compared to the play of Shipley and Trotter Jr., but Becton seems to have the upper hand as the starting right guard. Becton came over as a free agent from the Jets, signing a one-year deal with the Eagles. The former 11th overall pick in the 2020 draft out of Louisville has had a tough start to his career due to knee injuries, but at 6-foot-7, Offensive Line coach Jeff Stoutland might have another fun project on his hands a la Jordan Mailata.
The Eagles are on the road again next week as they visit the New England Patriots in Week 2 of the preseason on Thursday, August 15.
Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
