The Baltimore Ravens welcomed the Philadelphia Eagles to town on Friday night for their first game of the 2024 NFL preseason. With so few starters playing on Friday for the Ravens it gave plenty of opportunities to a lot of young potential starters as well as those fighting to make the team at the end of August.
As is normal in the preseason the game itself a defensive struggle as only one touchdown was scored in the first half which came on a Will Shipley seven-yard reception from Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett late in the first quarter. The Ravens would add two Justin Tucker field goals in the first half as the two teams were tied at six heading into halftime.
While Josh Johnson got the start for the Ravens, finishing the night 4-for-12 for 62 yards. It was sixth-round pick Devin Leary who would lead the Ravens on their only touchdown drive of the night in the second half. Down 13-6 with five minutes to play in the fourth quarter Leary led a 15-play 61-yard drive that saw Leary sneak it in from one-yard out to tie the game at 13. Leary would finish the night 6-for-10 for 37 yards, and the one rushing touchdown.
The Eagles would take over on their next possession methodically moving down the field as they looked to take as much time off the clock as they could. The Eagles were able to drain over five minutes off the clock on a 14 play drive into Ravens territory setting up for the game-winning field goal. Eagles kicker Jake Elliott, who had missed a PAT after the Eagles first touchdown, set up from 50-yards out. Elliott’s attempt would hit off the right upright keeping the game tied at 13 with just 21 seconds left to play.
The Ravens set up at their own 40-yard line substituted in undrafted rookie quarterback Emory Jones for Leary, and in his first snap in the NFL Jones dropped back to pass and was strip sacked by Eagles linebacker Patrick Johnson. The sack would give the Eagles one more shot to win the game in regulation. Elliott this time from 49-yards out would connect as time expired to give the Eagles the 16-13 victory.
With so much of the core returning for the Ravens in 2024, many of the questions are centered around the depth behind the key starters. With no Justin Madubuike the defensive line struggled to stop the Eagles running game as they ran for 146 yards and averaged nearly four yards per run. The Ravens offense as a whole was disappointing in game one, as all three quarterback struggled, as well as the running backs and wide receivers, outside of running back Owen Wright who had seven carries for 33 yards, and wide receiver Tylan Wallace who had two catches for 26 yards including a dazzling catch along the sideline.
Friday night wasn’t all negative however despite the loss. The Ravens secondary for the most part was lights out no matter who was in the game, as the group only gave up 113 yards. Another bright spot was from the group with likely the biggest question mark, the offensive line. The Ravens are looking to replace three of five spots along the offensive line, and early impressions from last night make it seem like the Ravens will be in good hands as Andrew Vorhees, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, and second-round pick Roger Rosengarten both filled in nicely and held their own.
The Ravens suffered to injuries with linebacker Chris Board who left the game with a concussion, and first-round cornerback Nate Wiggins who started the game and played into the second half before injuring his shoulder on a tackle. Wiggins was taken into the blue medical tent then into the locker room. Head coach John Harbaugh provided no update on either Board on Wiggins following the game.
The Ravens will turn their attention to the Atlanta Falcons who come to town for preseason game number two next Saturday afternoon.
Stock Up:
RB Owen Wright
G Andrew Vorhees
OT Roger Rosengarten
WR Keith Kirkwood
LB Trenton Simpson
CB Nate Wiggins
CB Bump Cooper Jr.
S Beau Brade
Stock Down:
RB Rasheen Ali
QB Josh Johnson
QB Emory Jones
OT Josh Jones
OT Julian Pearl
WR Dayton Wade
WR Malik Cunningham
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