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The Baltimore Ravens have to win this game, no two ways about it. Win and next week’s grudge match against Pittsburgh basically becomes a division championship game. Lose and many of the franchise’s leaders could face an uncertain future.
Bold Predictions:
- Elvis Dumervil will post two sacks
Dumervil looked much quicker off the snap last week against the Patriots, pressuring Brady several times. After playing 58-percent of defensive snaps combined over the last two weeks, Doom may finally be getting past the foot injury that has spoiled his season.
Right tackle has been a revolving door for the Eagles since Lane Johnson began serving his 10 game suspension for using preformance enhancing drugs. Rookie Halapoulivaati Vaitai took over for Johnson before a knee injury forced Alan Barbe to slide out from guard. Now Barbe is dealign with his own knee injury and has not practiced all week.
The Eagles have allowed 30 sacks this season, 12th most in the league. Carson Wentz is earning a reputation as another young quarterback who holds onto the ball too long.
- Justin Tucker will convert 5 field goals
The best kicker in the league this season nailed four field goals against both the Jaguars and Bengals, but has not made five in a game yet. Over the course of his career, he has gone 5-for-5 twice and 6-for-6 once.
The Eagles field a middle of the pack defense by most measurements. However, their red zone defense, led by Pro Bowl safety Malcolm Jenkins, is among the best in the NFL. They boast the fourth lowest red zone touchdown percentage this season.
- Kenneth Dixon will produce more than 100 total yards
Critiques have been coming at Marty Mornhinweg from all directions for his run/pass ratio last week, he will be determined to give Dixon ample opportunity. Over the last three games Dixon’s average yardage totals have been just under 80 per game.
The Eagles allow 4.1 yards per carry, a decent average. But many running backs have beaten them for big gainers, including Chris Thompson, Rex Burkhead, C.J. Prosie, Paul Perkins and Devonta Freeman, mostly on catches out of the backfield. Dixon is primed to break out against Philadelphia.