The Philadelphia Eagles took the short bus ride down to Baltimore for what many believed could be a Super Bowl preview, and even with all of the hype, the game lived up to the expectations.
The Eagles were 3-point underdogs partly because they were on the road and mostly due to Lamar Jackson being an amazing 23–1 versus NFC teams in his career. None of that mattered today!
In a game that featured the two best running backs in the NFL, the Eagles Saquon Barkley took over the fourth quarter and could be on his way to being league MVP.
First Half
The Ravens won the toss and deferred to challenge the Eagles to score their first touchdown of the season in the first quarter.
On the opening drive, the Eagles started with a 12-yard Saquon Barkley run, trying to establish their O-line dominance early. They followed it with two incomplete passes to Parris Campbel and Britain Covey and a rare Will Shipley run; the drive ended to continue their early game woes.
The Eagle’s defense brought a lot of pressure during the Raven’s opening possession but could not get to Lamar, who scrambled free from two would-be sackers to hit Zay Flowers for a big 40-yard gain to get the Ravens into the red zone on their first possession. Jalen Carter ended the drive with a huge TFL to force the Ravens into a 34-yard field goal.
The second series was much like the first, the Eagles and Jalen Hurts, had 2 more incompletions and went three and out. The Ravens moved the ball easily again behind Derrick Henry’s legs and Lamar’s mobility, and the drive ended with a 14-yard TD pass to Mark Andrews.
The first quarter ended 9–0 Ravens after a missed PAT. They moved the ball 123 yards to just 22 for the Eagles. Philly could not get anything going offensively. They also started the game with sloppy play by being called for six penalties, including three on the special teams. For a team that is already struggling to put up points in the first quarter, this can’t happen.
The Eagle’s offense started the second quarter by getting the ball to AJ Brown on a slant good for 13 yards, but the drive ended three plays later. The series ended with a beautiful punt by Braden Mann to the Baltimore one-yard line. The defense took advantage of having the Ravens pinned back and forced a three-and-out, which gave the Eagles an excellent field position at the Baltimore 49.
The offense came alive once they got the ball back. The Birds moved the ball 49 yards with a nice mix of getting the ball to the receivers, and Saquon rushes. Jalen Hurts was able to connect with Dallas Goedert for a 17-yard touchdown. You could see the sideline erupt, and it appeared to be a new ball game from that score.
The defense was fired up and caused an immediate three-and-out, including a huge TFL by Zack Baun. The offense had the ball back in a blink.
The first three passes of the ensuing drive were to A.J. Brown following the quick change of possession. The Eagles methodically moved the ball down the field, including a Quarterback draw good for 12 yards that took the ball down to the 6-inch yard. This was followed up with the Brotherly Shove for a TD and the lead. The Eagles took the lead 14 to 9 at the 2-minute mark.
The Ravens moved the ball down to the Eagles 23, but that drive stalled after a sack from Jalen Carter to force a 50-yard field goal to make the game 14–12 at the halftime.
The Ravens leaned on the legs of Lamar Jackson, escaping pressure and extending plays to make plays down the field with his arm. He finished the half with 11 completions good for 140 yards and a touchdown.
After being in a 10-minute deficit in TOP after the first quarter, the Eagles found their rhythm, and the team ended the half at the same time as Baltimore.
This was another game with a slow start bailed out by a hot stretch. AJ Brown finished the half with 66 yards on five receptions, and Saquon Barkley had ten carries for 45 yards.
Jalen Hurts went 8 of 9 for 99 yards in the 2nd quarter and accounted for two touchdowns, one via the air and one on the ground on his three carries for 18 yards.
The Eagle’s zone defense has struggled with opposing offenses on the first two drives a few times this season, and the offense is the worst team in the NFL on their first two drives by EPA (expected points added) and the best team in the league for the rest of the game.
Eagles & Saquon explode in second half
The Ravens came out of the half with a nice drive stalled by Zack Baun’s sack on third down to force Justin Tucker’s third FG attempt of the night that went wide left.
The Eagles went three and out and punted, which was muffed for a fumble but recovered by the Ravens. They recovered another fumble on the same drive, this one by Lamar Jackson, and yet again recovered their own mistake. Baltimore moved the ball to the Eagle’s 30-yard line, aided by picking up a 4th and one from their side of the field, but their kicker missed again this time wide right.
The Eagles took over at their 37, but the team looked more like the first-quarter offense than the one in the second quarter that scored 14 points. The drive ended with yet another three and out. Braden Mann continued his good day by placing another beautiful punt at the Baltimore five-yard line. The third-quarter score ended the same as halftime. Baltimore had 88 yards, and Philadelphia had 3 yards with zero first downs.
The passing game was effective when the offense ran RPOs and play actions targeting the middle of the field; they abandoned the entire quarter. Baltimore started the fourth quarter off with a drive from their five-yard line. Mark Andrews was the go-to receiver on this drive as he had been for most of the game.
The Eagles began their first fourth-quarter drive from their 29 yard-line and returned to some of the playcalling that was sorely missed in the previous period. The Eagle’s pass protection was tested, but the running game started wearing on the Raven’s D-line, and Saquon started chipping away down the field and then ran for a long 25-yard yard to make the game a two-score game at 21–12. The Eagles faithful fans in the cold Baltimore stands started chanting “MVP.”
The Eagle’s defense forced a change of possession with a 4th down stand on the Raven’s next possession, and once the Eagles got the ball back, they started eating away at the clock. Baltimore countered by taking time-outs, but Philadelphia made too many first-downs for them to continue. The Eagles worked the clock to 1:15 left in the game before Jake Elliott kicked a 35-yard field goal.
The Fangio-led defense held Baltimore to three points after the first quarter until giving up a touchdown with 3-seconds left in the game to make the final score 24–19.
Final thoughts
The turning point was when the offense started targeting AJ Brown in the middle of the field, and Jalen Hurts went six for six in play action. The offense also utilized RPOs. They need to start games with more of these play calls, instead of pass plays with long depth of target routes.
The Eagle’s running game, fueled by a punishing offensive line, wears you down all game, and in the fourth quarter, it becomes too much for opposing defense to continue and compete.
Saquon Barkley ran for more yards than any other running back versus the Ravens this season. Chase Brown previously had the most rushing yards against with 88, but that was in two games! Barkley ran for 62 yards in the 4th Quarter and finished with 107 yards on 23 carries.
Justin Tucker missed three kicks in this game, costing Baltimore seven points.
The Offense rushed for 141 yards, and the defense, Derrick Henry, had 82 rushing yards. They are undefeated when he rushes for 90 or more yards. The Eagle’s defense is the second team to hold the Ravens offense top under 20 points.
Player shoutouts
Dallas Goedert was targeted 4 times and got the offense going with a huge touchdown grab.
Jalen Carter is a game wrecker. He had four tackles, one sack, and an incredible three TFLs! He could be the best defensive tackle in the league.
Zack Baun was everywhere. He has had many great games in an Eagles uniform, but when in a game that they needed strong linebacker play, he showed up by leading the team in tackles with 13, including a TFL.
Nakobe Dean also shined with ten tackles and played well all night.
Quinyon Mitchell had a solid game and is a sure tackler. He does not allow yards after the catch. His side of the field is rarely tested.
Cooper DeJean drove Derrick Henry to the ground on a third down stop that you would have to see to believe. The rookie is fearless!
Isaiah Rodgers had a fantastic stop on a Lamar scramble that will go unnoticed due to Baltimore picking up the 4th and one, but it was an incredible play.
Braden Mann’s punting (2 inside the five) was a difference-maker in this game.
Next week
The Eagles look to keep the good times going next week when they host the struggling Carolina Panthers on Sunday, December 8th, at Lincoln Financial Field at 1 PM. This is not a game the Eagles can overlook, as the Panthers have been playing better despite their record.
As always, Thank you for reading!
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Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
