The Birds got their first win in Baltimore and eighth straight on the season.
The Eagles entered Sunday’s contest in Baltimore as a 2.5-point road underdog against the Ravens for what many considered their biggest test of the season. Even with most national ‘experts’ doubting them, they passed this test with flying colors earning a 24-19 win in which they held the #1 scoring offense in the league to just 12 points outside of a late garbage time touchdown.
The defense was incredible on Sunday in Baltimore. The Ravens’ offense, led by league-MVP Lamar Jackson, was the number one offense in the league entering Sunday and the Eagles’ defense held them to just 19 points. The rookie secondary complement of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean was electrifying, making plays all over the field. Also, rookie corner DeJean did this to all-pro running back Derrick Henry who has 3 inches and 50 pounds on him.
Linebacker Zack Baun continues to pay above his pedigree and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio moving him from edge to inside linebacker continues to be one of the best moves of the season. Fangio coming over from the Dolphins this offseason has completely turned around this unit and it’s playing like the best defense in the league and nearing historic levels.
Running back Saquon Barkley had another fantastic game on Sunday and this time against the best rushing defense in the league. Barkley eclipsed the century mark yet again and continued to put his stamp on the MVP race with a 25-yard touchdown scamper in the 4th quarter to put the game all but out of reach. Barkeley is on pace to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season record of 2,105 rush yards set in 1984.
Jalen Hurt was efficient at quarterback on Sunday and did what he needed to lead his team to victory. Hurts was 11 of 19 for 118 yards with one touchdown via the air and another via the ground. Head coach Nick Sirianni was adamant to give Hurts his flowers following the Birds’ eighth straight win.
“You’ll say ‘Well, game manager,’ That’s all BS,” said Sirianni. “Jalen played an awesome game. His stats are going to say, ‘We didn’t throw it a lot.’ We were 11 of 19. He had 118 yards, but that guy made runs when he needed to make runs. He made good checks. He managed the game in a four-minute [offense] to take the clock down to use as much time as he can.”
In a game full of positives, the Eagles’ first-quarter offense continues to be a weird negative. It’s almost like the team waits until the first quarter is over to wake up and start scoring points. In this game, they went scoreless in the first quarter and spotted the Ravens a 9-0 lead. It hasn’t hurt them much yet, but it’s something to monitor as the playoffs inch closer.
The Eagles will look to keep the good times rolling as they face off against the lowly Carolina Panthers next Sunday at the Linc. The Eagles have opened as an early 12-point favorite against the Panthers with kickoff set for 1:00 PM in Philadelphia.
