Ravens Opponent Profile: Philadelphia Eagles Head To M&T Bank Stadium On Four-Game Losing Streak
By Daniel Benjamin
With the loss to the Patriots in Week 14, the Ravens fell out of first place in the AFC North. Baltimore is now a game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) with a 7-6 record. They are also currently sitting in eighth place in the conference, a game out of the sixth and final playoff spot.
The Ravens and Eagles are meeting for just the fifth time ever on Sunday; their last meeting took place on Sept. 16, 2012. Philadelphia leads the all-time series 2-1-1, but the Ravens have outscored the Eagles 79-56.
Eagles record: 5-8
Philadelphia has lost four straight games. The Eagles are coming off a 27-22 loss to the Washington Redskins in which they turned the ball over twice and reached the end zone just once in four trips into the red zone.
Philadelphia has been outscored by 48 points during their recent losing streak, although they still have a +18 scoring differential for the season. The Eagles are 1-6 on the road this season with their lone win away from Lincoln Financial coming in Week 2 in Chicago.
Eagles on offense
Philadelphia has struggled on offense since Week 4. The Eagles offense managed just 383 yards and 16 points against the Redskins, despite running 76 plays—which was 30 more plays than Washington ran. Quarterback Carson Wentz completed 32-of-46 (69.1 percent) of his passes for 314 yards along with one touchdown and one interception.
Wentz has had an up-and-down rookie season. He has attempted the sixth-most passes in the league (498) and is third in completions (317). The QB is only 18th in yards per game with 247.3 YPG and has thrown 12 interceptions (seven of those interceptions have come in the last four games.)
Wentz has thrown for over 300 yards in consecutive games for the first time in his career as he accumulated 308 yards in the air the previous week against Cincinnati. He has four, 300-yard games on the season.
Philadelphia is 15th in the league in rushing, averaging 108.6 yards per game. Ryan Mathews leads the team with 487 yards and seven touchdowns on 117 attempts. Darren Sproles has produced 766 total yards from scrimmage with 366 yards on the ground. Rookie Wendell Smallwood has 312 yards on 77 attempts, but was placed on injured reserve on Monday.
Wide receiver Jordan Matthews leads the Eagles with 65 receptions for 765 yards and three touchdowns. Tight end Zach Ertz is also a big part of the team's offense, hauling in 57 catches for 564 yards along with two touchdowns.
Eagles on defense
The Eagles have surrendered the 12th-fewest points a game at 20.9. However, they have permitted at least 26 points in six of their last seven match-ups. The Eagles are also 12th in total yards allowed (344.5), 13th in passing defense (243.2) and 15th against the run (101.4).
Philadelphia's defense has forced 19 turnovers and has scored two touchdowns. Linebacker Nigel Bradham tops the team with 81 tackles, which includes eight for losses.
The Eagles have recorded 28 sacks on the season. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox has 5.5 sacks while defensive end Brandon Graham has five sacks and Connor Barwin has four.
Players to watch: RB Darren Sproles and RB Ryan Mathews
Sproles is the most dangerous weapon that the Eagles have; the running back can beat teams a variety of ways, including running the ball and catching the pigskin out of the backfield. Sproles is fourth in the league with 13.2 yards per punt return. His longest return of the season is 66 yards, which occurred against the Giants on Dec. 6. While Sproles has not recorded a special teams touchdown this season, he has nine for his career—seven on punt returns and two kick returns.
Sproles is currently questionable for the game against the Ravens as he is in the NFL's concussion protocol, which means Ryan Mathews should see the bulk of the carries in week 15. Mathews rushed 15 times for 60 yards against Washington in week 14, but faces a tough Ravens' defense Sunday, which could spell trouble for the Eagles' running game.
Outlook
This should be a very good match-up for the Ravens as they may have their entire starting lineup intact with the expected return of offensive lineman Alex Lewis. Baltimore should be able to get pressure on Wentz as the Eagles offensive line has given up 30 sacks.
Baltimore's biggest concern is special teams, following the release of return specialist Devin Hester. In addition, Philadelphia has returned two kicks for touchdowns.
The Ravens have won four straight at home and are 5-2 at M&T Bank Stadium.
