The Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens will play in a pivotal matchup this Sunday to help decide the seeding in their conferences. The Eagles are still in play for the No. 1 seed. After the Chicago Bears lost against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, they will have an uphill challenge. Unless something bizarre happens, the Ravens are out of contention for the one-seed, but they still have to hold off the Pittsburgh Steelers for the division. Things in the AFC would be shaping up differently if Isaiah Likely got his foot in bounds back in week one.
However, it is unfair to play the what-if game. Both teams have played excellent football and are in the top five odds for the Super Bowl. The Ravens are third, and the Eagles are tied for fifth with the Bills. So, while this likely will not be the Super Bowl matchup in February, it is definitely on the list of possibilities.
Philadelphia has caught some flack recently for the quality of its opponents. They can prove themselves against tough competition, but how will they stop Lamar Jackson and this high-powered offense?
Jackson and Derrick Henry have this offense first in offensive DVOA (Defense-adjusted value over average) in both the run and the pass. Baltimore is having one of the best offensive seasons of all time through the first twelve games. It is the seventh-best season since 1979 through twelve weeks, according to the DVOA metric.
Updated look at where the Baltimore Ravens now stand among the best offenses in DVOA history. #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/draI4vOKjN
— Aaron Schatz š (@ASchatzNFL) November 26, 2024
This game will be the first big challenge for the Eagles defense since coming off the bye. And much like in 2017, the team will need to replace a key contributor suffering a season-ending injury against the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles.
Who will Step Up at Edge?
After an astounding game, Brandon Graham sadly suffered a torn pectoral muscle Sunday night against the Rams. The Eagles were already down Bryce Huff at edge rusher after a wrist injury landed him on injured reserve. Unlike Graham, Huff is expected to be back before the end of the season. Josh Sweat has been locking down the right side, with rookie Jalyx Hunt mixing in. It has been more of a rotation on the left side, but now second-year player Nolan Smith will have to step up significantly. Smith has had his moments this season, making his presence felt against the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys.
Smith will now display his growth in a starter role for the foreseeable future. Hunt will take on a more significant role in his rookie season than expected. Graham will be impossible to replace, but at least the team will not have to replace his leadership presence.
The young guys will now get the chance to continue to improve themselves under Graham’s tutelage for the rest of the way. However, the fan base wishes that would happen on the field and that he would return for another season. Fans will have to wait and see.
Feed A.J. Brown
A.J. Brown has yet to have that signature game. He has been fantastic this season, but this is the spot for him to have one. The Ravens are second to last against the pass in terms of yardage. However, advanced metrics have been far kinder to the team, ranking 15th in defensive DVOA.
Brown will have his fellow Batman back, with DeVonta Smith returning for the contest. Brown will still draw the opposition’s number one corner in Marlon Humphrey. However, there should be more space for the star receiver to operate in space. This game is an excellent spot for Jalen Hurts to get the passing game going, with Brown as the primary beneficiary.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Baltimore Ravens Game Thoughts
The Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens will be forever linked after they spent big money to acquire the services of Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry. In a league where teams were going away from paying the position, those two teams zigged when most other teams zagged.
Now, they are rewarded with two Offensive Player of the Year candidates. Barkley and Henry figure to factor heavily into the game plan on Sunday, but they might find trouble getting things going.
Both teams rank in the top seven in run defense. With the game having the highest projected point total on the slate this week, the public does not think they will have those problems.
The other option is a duel between Jackson and Hurts through the air. So, no matter what happens, this game will be must-watch television. Hurts and company are currently the underdogs heading into Baltimore.
The line is set right, and it will come down to two kickers who have had their ups and downs this season. The kickers will decide this crucial matchup in a battle between top offenses and defenses. In a game of back and forths, Jake Elliott will hit a 56-yard field goal to seal the victory as time expires.
Philadelphia Eagles 30, Baltimore Ravens 27
