ExtremeRavens Posted November 30 Posted November 30 The Ravens’ game Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium against the Philadelphia Eagles might be a prelude to Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans in February. It’s not a stretch to see a rematch in the title game. There are no great teams in the NFL this season. In fact, there are barely a few good ones, which is why the Ravens (8-4), Buffalo Bills (9-2), Kansas City Chiefs (10-1), Detroit Lions (11-1) and Eagles (9-2) are the favorites. The Ravens already pummeled the Bills, 35-10, on Sept. 9, which is why they need another big game. Baltimore needs a tone-setter against Philadelphia, which has won seven straight. “This is a really good team we’re playing,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “I think some people think that they might be the best team in the league, and that’s the way they’re playing. It’s a challenge for us, a challenge for our run defense — yes — because they do it with their offensive line, they do it with their back, they also do it with their scheme — which the quarterback is a part of, too — and they can throw off the runs. So, there’s a lot going on there.” The Ravens need another strong test. They still play AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3), who have won eight of the past nine matchups against Baltimore, but the Houston Texans (7-5) have struggled throughout the season and the New York Giants (2-10) are horrendous. Cleveland (3-8) might pose a challenge in the last game of the regular season, or the Browns might have the U-Haul trucks loaded and parked for the offseason outside of their headquarters. Thank goodness for the Eagles. They are good preparation for Kansas City. Buffalo doesn’t count, because the Bills are as soft defensively as the Los Angeles Chargers, whom the Ravens defeated, 30-23, on Monday night. “Yes, it helps, definitely — just having that experience,” Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said of playing big games, particularly against the Eagles. “From Week 1, obviously, playing against [Kansas City] on Thursday [in the] first game of the year. “It just helps younger guys grow up a lot quicker. We’re going to be only playing big games from here on out, so we’ve got to get used to it at some point, and I feel like we have done a good job of that, and we can take that into the postseason and do what we can.” The Ravens and Eagles are similar in so many ways. The Ravens are ranked No. 1 in total offense and the Eagles are No. 3. Both teams have dynamic running quarterbacks in Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts, even though Hurts isn’t as spectacular as Jackson as a runner. Both teams will try to force their quarterbacks to throw from the pocket and beat them with their arms. The Ravens have slot receiver Zay Flowers (57 catches, 789 yards, four touchdowns) with complementary players such as tight end Mark Andrews (37 catches, 423 yard, 6 TDs) and Rashod Bateman (35 catches, 574 yards, 6 TDs). Philadelphia counters with receivers A.J. Brown (39 catches, 727 yards, 4 TDs) and DeVonta Smith (41 catches, 516 yards, 4 TDs) and tight end Dallas Goedert (35 catches, 406 yards, 1 TD). And then there is the featured attraction: Derrick Henry (221 carries, 1,325 yards, 13 TDs) versus Saquon Barkley (223 carries, 1,392 yards, 10 TDs). Their styles are different because Henry is more of a power back while Barkley is so elusive with those jump cuts and quick change of direction moves. Both are explosive. “We’re just going to have a tough time and challenge stopping this running back that we’re playing, and we’re hoping that they have a tough time stopping our running back, so that’s kind of our focus right now,” Harbaugh said. The Ravens’ defense has made modest improvements over the past two games, but there’s more work to do. The Ravens are still ranked No. 24 (355.6 yards allowed per game) in total defense, including No. 2 against the run (77.9) and No. 31 versus the pass (277.7). Brown could cause them trouble. Big trouble. The Eagles are No. 1 in total defense (274.6), seventh against the rush (99.2) and No. 3 versus the pass (175.5) despite playing with two rookie cornerbacks in Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Safety Reed Blankenship has also played well, but the Eagles could be without cornerback Darius Slay, who suffered a concussion last week. This game, though, will come down to the offensive lines. Philadelphia might have two of the best tackles in the game in Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. The Raven gave up 40 yards on six carries Monday to former Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins before he was sidelined for the entire second half with a knee injury. That was disturbing, even though the Ravens played without starting middle linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) and nose tackle Michael Pierce (calf). The tandem could play Sunday, but the Ravens would have a hard time stopping Barkley without either in the lineup, especially Smith. And then there are the penalties. The Ravens are the most penalized team in the NFL with 101 for 865 yards. They can survive against losing teams, but that’s hard to overcome against strong teams such as Philadelphia, Kansas City and Detroit. That’s why Sunday’s game is so important. During their seven-game winning streak, the Eagles have beaten up on some poor competition such as the Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys. The Ravens need a quality tune-up for the postseason. Bring on the Eagles. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article Quote
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