Eagles-Ravens Scouting Report

by Paul Domowitch

Recent history: The Eagles defeated the Ravens on Oct. 31, 2004 at the Linc, 15-10. The Eagles lead the series, 1-0-1.

Offense

Eagles: 363.8 yards per game (6th)

Ravens: 318.3 yards per game (19th)

Quarterback

Eagles: Donovan McNabb is going through one of those maddening periods again where he looks like he's never played before. In the last four games, he's completed just 53.8 percent of his passes and turned the ball over seven times. He's an abysmal 6-for-27 in the first quarter of those four games.

Ravens: Like Falcons rookie Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco has been aided greatly by a productive ground game that keeps pass-rush pressure off him and has given teeth to the Ravens' play-action game. Flacco is at his best in the pocket. While he has mobility, he hasn't been nearly as effective throwing from outside the pocket.

PICK: EAGLES

Running back

Eagles: Brian Westbrook is the straw that stirs the Eagles' offensive drink, and right now he's not stirring it very well. Knee and ankle injuries have affected his cutting ability. He's averaged just 3.8 yards per touch in the last three games. He has one 100-yard rushing game and one 50-yard receiving game this season.

Ravens: Ravens have three RBs – Willis McGahee, Ray Rice and 260-pound FB Le'Ron McClain – with at least 85 carries. McGahee gets the bulk of the carries when he's healthy, but that's been infrequent. Rice, a rookie, has a lot of Brian Westbrook in him. The 260-pound McClain is a beast in short-yardage situations.

PICK: RAVENS

Receiver

Eagles: This has become the quintessential spread-the-ball-around offense. The Eagles currently have no less than nine players who are on pace to catch at least 25 passes. No Andy Reid team ever has had more than six. Tight ends need to exploit the Ravens' 5-8 strong safety, Jim Leonhard.

Ravens: Derrick Mason has caught 85-plus passes in four of the last five seasons, and already has 53 this season even though he's playing with a separated shoulder. Doesn't have great speed, but is a first-down-making machine. An NFL-best 75.5 percent of his receptions (40) have moved the chains. Ravens lack a deep threat.

PICK: EAGLES

Offensive line

Eagles: This unit has done a very good job of protecting Donovan McNabb, who has only been sacked a career-best once every 25.5 attempts. But RG Shawn Andrews' absence has been felt in the run game, particularly short-yardage situations. Eagles' yards-per-carry average is down from 4.7 a year ago to 4.0.

Ravens: With the retirement of LT Jonathan Ogden, this unit looked like it might be a liability. But it has played well. Second-year man Jared Gaither has done a solid job as Ogden's replacement. The addition of former Bengal Willie Anderson has solidified the RT position, but he missed the Giants game with a knee injury.

PICK: RAVENS

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