Just two weeks into the NFL season, and the Philadelphia Eagles face a task that could shape the course of their season. The Baltimore Ravens head to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles in their home opener.
Where to Watch/Listen:
- TV: CBS
- Radio: 94WIP
- DirecTV: 712
- Sirius: 128
Injury Report:
Philadelphia
OUT
WR Riley Cooper (collarbone)
QUESTIONABLE
WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring), WR Jeremy Maclin (hip), CB Curtis Marsh (hamstring)
PROBABLE
S Colt Anderson (knee), WR Jason Avant (wrist), S Kurt Coleman (facial lacerations)
Baltimore
OUT
T Jah Reid (calf)
QUESTIONABLE
LB Paul Kruger (back), DE Pernell McPhee (knee)
PROBABLE
C Matt Birk (thigh), S Ed Reed (thigh)
After last week's dismal perfomrnace, the Eagles desperately want to put that game in their rear view mirror. They narrowly escaped Cleveland with a win, beating the lowly Browns 17-16, thanks to a 91 yard drive executed by Michael Vick.
That was one of the few bright spots of his day. Vick was 29/56 for 307 yards, but had twice as many Interceptions (4), as touchdowns (2). Philadelphia stayed away from the run until late in the game, and LeSean McCoy showed why he was deserving of the $45 million contract extension he was given. After fumbling his first touch, McCoy ended the day with 110 yards on 20 carries. For Philadelphia to even have a chance on Sunday, they will need a more balanced offensive attack. Baltimore allowed 129 yards on 28 carries on the ground, allowing the Bengals to average 4.6 yards a carry. It is cliche to say the run opens up the pass game, but it is certainly the truth. The Eagles love to utilize the play action, but the only way to effectively use it is to establish a ground game.
Philadelphia re-signed WR Mardy Gilyard this week with injuries to both DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Although listed as Questionable, both are expected to play. Maclin had 7 catches for 96 yards and a TD, while DeSean Jackson had 4 catches for 77 yards.
On the other side of the football, the Eagles run defense did a stupdenous job shutting down elusive rookie Running Back Trent Richardson. On 19 carries, Richardson ran for just 39 yards, and was stuffed at the line of scrimmage all day long. However, Philadelphia will have a much tougher task in dealing with Baltimore's Ray Rice. The Rutgers product is quite the dual threat, and he showed that during the bright lights of Monday Night Football. He had 68 yards on 10 carries, and caught 3 passes for 25 yards. In charge of keeping Rice intact will be MLB DeMeco Ryans. After a lackluster Preseason, the newly acquired Linebacker made the concern about his play disappear. He led the team with 5 tackles, and broke up multiple passes.
On the Ravens side of the ball, they are led by Audobon, New Jersey native Joe Flacco. In the season opener, the fourth year Quarterback was almost perfect. He was 21/29 for 299 yards and 2 Touchdowns, earning him a rating of 128.4. The Eagles secondary will have to deal with speedsters Jacoby Jones and Torrey Smith, as well as veteran Wideout Anquan Boldin. However, Cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Nickelback Brandon Boykin are certainly up to the task. Rodgers-Cromartie had to Interceptions, and Boykin and Asomugha were able to help stall the Browns pass game. Second year Wide Receiver Torrey Smith is Flacco's deep threat, and Eagles safety Kurt Coleman will certainly find himself busy once again. Like Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Coleman had two picks as well.
But the biggest threat the Eagles will have to deal with isn't a player, but rather their offensive scheme. John Harbaugh's Ravens run a no huddle offense, and have it down almost to a T. A team prone to mental mistakes, the Eagles need to be prepared for quick and frequent substitutions throughout the game.
In what will be a tight NFC East race, the Eagles need every win they can get. With a win in the home opener, Philadelphia could set the tone for the rest of the season.
Jake Pavorsky is a contributor to Eagledelphia. You can follow him on Twitter @JakePavorsky.
