If this were the regular season, it might be the game of the week, but Philadelphia Eagles vs. Baltimore Ravens should still make for a fun preseason matchup.
The Ravens are known as the best preseason team, but will they be able to pull off a win without Lamar Jackson?
Don’t miss our Eagles vs. Ravens predictions and NFL picks for Friday, August 9.
Eagles vs Ravens prediction
My best bet
Ravens moneyline (+100 at bet365)
My analysis
On paper, it might seem like the Philadelphia Eagles are the smarter play in this game. The Baltimore Ravens have already ruled Jackson out, while Philadelphia has yet to announce if Jalen Hurts will be playing in this one.
But Hurts hasn’t suited up for a preseason game since 2022 and it seems more likely than not that he won’t be playing. The last time he played in the preseason, he took a big hit on the sideline, and why would Nick Sirianni risk losing his star QB?
More important than who the Eagles start at quarterback — likely Tanner McKee — is the fact that Baltimore seems to take the preseason as seriously as the postseason. Since John Harbaugh took over as head coach in 2008, the Ravens have won 75.9% of their preseason games and rattled off 24 straight wins at one point.
Meanwhile, the Eagles are 1-6-2 in the preseason with Sirianni in charge. Yes, they’ve tied more games than they won, and one of those losses came last year against the Ravens in Baltimore.
In those nine games, Philadelphia has averaged just 16.5 points per game. And with a combination of McKee, Kenny Pickett, and Will Grier likely taking the field at quarterback, don’t expect the Eagles to explode on offense.
Assuming Hurts, Saquon Barkley, AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert don’t play, that leaves Philadelphia mighty thin on offense. Kenneth Gainwell could be the focal point, but there’s a plethora of rookies who Sirianni likely wants to get a look at, so it could be a lot of Will Shipley, Kendall Milton, Ainias Smith, and Johnny Wilson on offense.
Defensively, I can’t imagine many of the stars, or even veteran starters, will sniff the field. The Eagles defense will probably be littered with rookies and second-year players such as Moro Ojomo, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and Quinyon Mitchell.
That should give Ravens veteran QB Josh Johnson plenty of opportunity to put up points. Over the last four preseasons, Baltimore has averaged 23.6 points per game and even the backups are capable, whether it’s Johnson or rookie QB Devin Leary in there.
A combo of Justice Hill and rookie Rasheen Ali gives Baltimore an explosive running back duo and pass catchers like Tylan Wallace, rookie Devontez Walker, and tight end Charlie Kolar have enough talent to be difference-makers.
Don’t be surprised to see some splash plays from a Baltimore defense that’s got plenty of depth along with talented rookies looking to make a name for themselves.
Preseason is where the Ravens thrive.
Eagles vs Ravens odds
Eagles vs Ravens live odds
Eagles vs Ravens opening odds
- Spread: Philadelphia +3 | Baltimore -3
- Moneyline: Philadelphia +138 | Baltimore -163
- Over/Under: Over 37 | Under 37
Eagles vs Ravens betting trend to know
The Ravens have won 44 of 58 preseason games with John Harbaugh as head coach. Find more NFL betting trends for Eagles vs Ravens.
Eagles vs Ravens game info
| Location: | M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD |
| Date: | Friday, August 9, 2024 |
| Kickoff: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NFL Network |
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