As though it were etched in the stars by the gods, we are gifted the matchup of two titans among men, each driven to carve their name in history where records are set and legends are forged. Eagles vs Ravens. Saquon Barkley vs Derrick Henry. A match-up of, at first glance, two very similar teams.
The Tentpole
I’m watching this Monday nighter hoping Henry’s cool streak continues so Barkley can start to get some separation in the rushing numbers on the season. And then the second half happens. So we’re going into this weekend’s matchup with the one and two leading rushers in the league on opposite sides. According to Pro Football Reference, less than 70 yards separates them, and the Eagles vs Ravens game script will likely dictate that the player on the winning team comes out of this leading the league in rushing yards.
Henry is gonna get his. They’ll feed him the rock in bunches to try and tenderize the bird’s D line. He’s just built differently and whoever was giving Demarco Murray touches at his expense for two years should have their head examined. They’re at home and the crowd will feed off of every run greater than three yards.
The Eagles are a running team that happens to have top-tier wide receivers to keep the defense from stacking the box. No more half-measures. Run the fucking ball. Don’t gimme this “but muh fantasy team has AJ Brown” bullshit. You chose poorly. Howie bought the ticket and now we get to ride the train. To those of you clamoring about if Barkley’s legs can hold up at this pace and over the next 3 years, nightmares of a dead-legged Demarco Murray in 2015…
Fuck that guy, fuck Chip Kelly. I can’t believe you shipped Shady off after a career year. I just bought his fucking jersey you assholes. Those Bills years shoulda’ been ours.
Ehem, so uh, I expect both teams to run the ball and the announcers will butter them up like a Thanksgiving biscuit. Fattie. We’re getting Nantz/Romo and say what you will about that candy-ass Cowboy, I like the way he calls a game.
Eagles vs Ravens: The A24 Studio Darling
Eagles vs Ravens. This is quite possibly a Super Bowl preview. I’m not saying the Birds are a lock to make the big game, but the last three weeks have gone a long way to making me believe the first 4 weeks were an artifact of the Eagles starters not getting any meaningful playing time in the preseason. I’d feel better about it if the Lions could drop another game in the conference, and that’s likely with games against the Packers, Niners, and Vikings still on the schedule. The Steelers are a paper tiger and I see the Ravens overtaking them in the standings with or without beating them heads up. The Ravens are the top offense and the run game tends to travel well if they don’t have home field.
For the record: The smooth-brained part of me wants an Eagles rematch with the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
The Underrated Arthouse Piece That Wins a Minor Oscar
Defense will decide this Eagles vs Ravens game and the Birds’ young D has come on strong in the last few weeks. The loss of Graham will sting but Sweat is the unsung hero of that D line with twice as many sacks (7). Baltimore has a strong linebacking core and a team sack total of 39. Eagles aren’t far behind at 33 with a game in hand.
Ultimately it’s going to come down to passing defense and the Eagles’ young guns are something to behold. Ravens are doo doo against the pass. This sets up Hurts for a 3-passing TD game and Quinyonomo Bay gets his first pick on the season off Lamar in the red zone late in the game to take the wind out of their sails.
I buried the lead, it’s a passing game.
Let us know who you think will come out on top after the Eagles vs Ravens game in rushing yards for the season below! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
