The Eagles come into their hope opener with a 1-0 record after a victory over the Cleveland Browns. If I said this last week, it might not have surprised anyone; but with time running out in the fourth quarter on Sunday, this might have shocked people. The Eagles are looking to shake off a frighteningly bad offensive performance against Cleveland in Week 1. The Ravens are not an easy matchup as they are coming off a dominating 44-13 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. The Eagles will have their hands full.
When the Eagles are on Offense:
Eagles QB Michael Vick
Michael Vick must play better for the Eagles to win. The simplicity and magnitude of that statement cannot be overstated. Vick looked like the 2005 version of himself that completed 55% of his passes, threw 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions on his way to a 73.1 QB rating. Last Sunday was simply terrible. It would be an improvement this week if we could classify his decision making as “questionable” because last week it was downright awful. Vick repeatedly threw across his body and across the middle of the field and, to no one’s surprise, was intercepted. By the end of the game, Vick was picked off four times and a fifth interception was dropped by Browns linebacker L.J.Fort. Vick ended up driving the Eagles down the field and won the game on a four yard touchdown pass to Clay Harbor. Vick ended up with two touchdowns, four interceptions and 317 yards. He must have a better day if the Eagles stand a chance against the Ravens.
Which leads to the next crucial point for the Eagles and that is making sure Vick stays in the game. There are three keys to ensuring Vick plays the whole game. First, he must make better decisions when on the run. Vick took a lot of hard hits on Sunday. He was hit 19 times which is the most a quarterback has been hit in one game since the beginning of 2010. Second, the offensive line cannot allow Vick to get hit that much. Defenders were coming in untouched and pounding Vick on Sunday. Against the nasty Ravens defense, Vick won’t survive if the offensive line allows the Ravens to get the hits that the Browns did. Lastly, and most importantly, the Eagles MUST use LeSean McCoy more. Vick threw the ball 56 times on Sunday! That is totally unacceptable when the Browns ranked 30th against the run last year and they have an electric back like Shady in the backfield. McCoy had 110 rushing yards on just 20 carries last week and only had seven rushes at halftime. Shady helps to take some pressure off of Vick and it allows Vick to go a play (or two or three!) without getting driven into the ground. The Eagles must find more balance this week against the Ravens or else Ed Reed is going to have a field day picking off Michael Vick.
The Ravens defense is a force; it has been for years and, despite missing reigning 2011 Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs, they look like they picked up right where they left off. Ray Lewis, who is still a force at age 37, had 14 tackles and a sack on Monday night. Ed Reed picked off Pro Bowler Andy Dalton and returned it for a touchdown. Their defensive line is locked down by nose tackle Haloti Ngata in the middle. Ngata, at 6’4’’ 340 lbs, clogs the middle of the field which helps slow the run game down but he can also get the QB (two sacks last week, five sacks in 2011 and 5.5 in 2010). Eagles center Jason Kelce and guards Danny Watkins and Evan Mathis are going to have their hands full with Ngata. Ngata draws double teams for obvious reasons but that also allows players to come through untouched on the blitz.
Which leads to the next crucial point for the Eagles and that is making sure Vick stays in the game. There are three keys to ensuring Vick plays the whole game. First, he must make better decisions when on the run. Vick took a lot of hard hits on Sunday. He was hit 19 times which is the most a quarterback has been hit in one game since the beginning of 2010. Second, the offensive line cannot allow Vick to get hit that much. Defenders were coming in untouched and pounding Vick on Sunday. Against the nasty Ravens defense, Vick won’t survive if the offensive line allows the Ravens to get the hits that the Browns did. Lastly, and most importantly, the Eagles MUST use LeSean McCoy more. Vick threw the ball 56 times on Sunday! That is totally unacceptable when the Browns ranked 30th against the run last year and they have an electric back like Shady in the backfield. McCoy had 110 rushing yards on just 20 carries last week and only had seven rushes at halftime. Shady helps to take some pressure off of Vick and it allows Vick to go a play (or two or three!) without getting driven into the ground. The Eagles must find more balance this week against the Ravens or else Ed Reed is going to have a field day picking off Michael Vick.
The Ravens defense is a force; it has been for years and, despite missing reigning 2011 Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs, they look like they picked up right where they left off. Ray Lewis, who is still a force at age 37, had 14 tackles and a sack on Monday night. Ed Reed picked off Pro Bowler Andy Dalton and returned it for a touchdown. Their defensive line is locked down by nose tackle Haloti Ngata in the middle. Ngata, at 6’4’’ 340 lbs, clogs the middle of the field which helps slow the run game down but he can also get the QB (two sacks last week, five sacks in 2011 and 5.5 in 2010). Eagles center Jason Kelce and guards Danny Watkins and Evan Mathis are going to have their hands full with Ngata. Ngata draws double teams for obvious reasons but that also allows players to come through untouched on the blitz.
When the Ravens are on Offense:
Ravens RB Ray Rice
The Baltimore Ravens have not been known for their high powered offense. Typically they are described as a team that wins with defense and will win games if their offense just doesn’t lose it for them. People might have to adjust their thinking this year as the offense looks to be prolific. Led by Ray Rice, the Ravens have a very balanced attack with Joe Flacco leading the aerial attack. Rice, one of the best RBs in the game, led the Ravens in rushing and receptions last year and he looks to pick up right where he left off. Against the Bengals, Rice rushed for 68 yards on just 10 rushes and two touchdowns. He also caught three passes for 25 yards.
As impressive as Rice was and as difficult as he will be to shutdown, the most eye-opening performance on Monday came from Flacco. Flacco completed over 72% of his passes and threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns. That is a QB rating of 128.4. Flacco spread the ball out among his receivers. Eight different Ravens recorded a catch with tight end Dennis Pitta leading the way with five receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown. On the outside WRs Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin compliment each other exceptionally well. Smith is a lightning quick receiver from the University of Maryland who can stretch the field while Boldin is a big strong possession receiver that has no qualms about going across the middle. The Ravens used the no-huddle offense a lot last Monday and they are expected to continue it this week against the Eagles. The no-huddle will try to knock the Eagles strong pass-rush off its game. It will be interesting to see what defensive coordinator Juan Castillo has planned. The ground game combined with the improved passing attack makes the Ravens a threat to any defense.
If there were any positives for the Eagles to take out of the game on Sunday, almost all of them would come from the defensive side of the ball. Safety Kurt Coleman and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie each recorded two interceptions. Coleman defended two passes while DRC defended four passes. DeMeco Ryans was all over the field in Week 1 as he led the team, along with Akeem Jordan and Coleman, with five solo tackles a piece. The Eagles defense played well as even rookie Fletcher Cox and Jason Babin each recorded a sack on Browns QB Brandon Weeden. The defense played well, holding the Browns to just nine points off three Phil Dawson field goals, but the Ravens offense is much more explosive than the Browns.
As impressive as Rice was and as difficult as he will be to shutdown, the most eye-opening performance on Monday came from Flacco. Flacco completed over 72% of his passes and threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns. That is a QB rating of 128.4. Flacco spread the ball out among his receivers. Eight different Ravens recorded a catch with tight end Dennis Pitta leading the way with five receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown. On the outside WRs Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin compliment each other exceptionally well. Smith is a lightning quick receiver from the University of Maryland who can stretch the field while Boldin is a big strong possession receiver that has no qualms about going across the middle. The Ravens used the no-huddle offense a lot last Monday and they are expected to continue it this week against the Eagles. The no-huddle will try to knock the Eagles strong pass-rush off its game. It will be interesting to see what defensive coordinator Juan Castillo has planned. The ground game combined with the improved passing attack makes the Ravens a threat to any defense.
If there were any positives for the Eagles to take out of the game on Sunday, almost all of them would come from the defensive side of the ball. Safety Kurt Coleman and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie each recorded two interceptions. Coleman defended two passes while DRC defended four passes. DeMeco Ryans was all over the field in Week 1 as he led the team, along with Akeem Jordan and Coleman, with five solo tackles a piece. The Eagles defense played well as even rookie Fletcher Cox and Jason Babin each recorded a sack on Browns QB Brandon Weeden. The defense played well, holding the Browns to just nine points off three Phil Dawson field goals, but the Ravens offense is much more explosive than the Browns.
Special Teams and Prediction:
Last week, we mentioned that Eagles kicker Alex Henery missed three of his eight preseason field goal attempts and that it was nothing to be alarmed about yet. I am not saying Eagles fans should be alarmed but a close eye needs to be kept on Henery, who went 1-for-2 last week in field goal attempts. Punter Chas Henry was spectacular in his six punts on Sunday. Three of the six punts went 60 yards or further and the only punt less than 50 yards was put at the Browns 13 yard line.
As for the Ravens, kicker Justin Tucker went 3-for-3 in field goal attempts and 2-for-2 from 40 yards or further. The Ravens offense was very efficient so punter Sam Koch only got two opportunities to punt (50 yards and 37 yards).
Overall, I think this is going to be a knockdown, drag-out game. I feel like last week’s poor performance was a wake up call for the Eagles offense and coaches. I expect a significantly better performance this week and I think that it is very possible the Eagles win the game but, more realistically, I think the Ravens are too strong on defense for the Eagles to sustain drives and not turn the ball over. It is not far-fetched to think Joe Flacco gets knocked back down a few notches playing against the Eagles secondary. But, in the end, I think Alex Henery misses another field goal which forces the Eagles to go for a touchdown on the final drive and it doesn’t happen.
Prediction:
Ravens: 23
Eagles: 17
-Steve Dolan
Follow Steve on Twitter @SDolan3
Follow Whiz Wit on Twitter @WhizWitSports
As for the Ravens, kicker Justin Tucker went 3-for-3 in field goal attempts and 2-for-2 from 40 yards or further. The Ravens offense was very efficient so punter Sam Koch only got two opportunities to punt (50 yards and 37 yards).
Overall, I think this is going to be a knockdown, drag-out game. I feel like last week’s poor performance was a wake up call for the Eagles offense and coaches. I expect a significantly better performance this week and I think that it is very possible the Eagles win the game but, more realistically, I think the Ravens are too strong on defense for the Eagles to sustain drives and not turn the ball over. It is not far-fetched to think Joe Flacco gets knocked back down a few notches playing against the Eagles secondary. But, in the end, I think Alex Henery misses another field goal which forces the Eagles to go for a touchdown on the final drive and it doesn’t happen.
Prediction:
Ravens: 23
Eagles: 17
-Steve Dolan
Follow Steve on Twitter @SDolan3
Follow Whiz Wit on Twitter @WhizWitSports
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