Domowitch's Eagles-Ravens Scouting Report

Recent history: The Eagles defeated the Ravens at the Linc, 24-23, on Sept. 16, 2012. The Eagles lead the series, which began in 1997, 2-1-1.

WHEN EAGLES RUN THE BALL

Injuries have stretched the Eagles thin on both the offensive line and the backfield. Allen Barbre, who slid over from LG to RT to replace injured rookie Halapoulivaati Vaitai, reinjured his hamstring last week, though he is expected to play. RG Brandon Brooks has missed two of the last three games with an anxiety-related illness. RB Wendell Smallwood was placed on IR with a knee injury, and Darren Sproles spent the week in concussion protocol. If Sproles can't play, the Eagles' three RBs will be Ryan Mathews, Kenjon Barner (just 24 carries), and Byron Marshall, who was signed off the practice squad earlier this week. That isn't a good situation given the fact that the Ravens own the league's top-ranked run defense. They've held opponents to 75.5 rushing yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry. They have given up just 21 runs of 10 yards or more.

EDGE: Ravens

WHEN EAGLES PASS THE BALL

Because of their knack for digging an early hole and the inconsistency of the run game, Carson Wentz is throwing the ball far more than the coaching staff intended. In the last two weeks he's attempted 106 passes. Over the last seven games, he's averaging 44.7 attempts per game. Just two offensive linemen - C Jason Kelce and LT Jason Peters - have started all 13 games. Wentz has countered the lack of protection by getting the ball out quickly. Against Washington last week, 24 of his 32 completions came on passes that traveled 10 yards or less. He is leaning heavily on TEs Zach Ertz and Trey Burton and slot receiver Jordan Matthews. They combined for 25 catches last week and had 15 of the team's 18 passing first downs. The Ravens are tied for second in interceptions with 15. Wentz has thrown 11 in the last eight games. Pass-rushing OLBs Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil will be problems.

EDGE: Ravens

WHEN THE RAVENS RUN THE BALL

The Ravens' ground game has not been very productive. They are 28th in rushing yards per game (86.0) and 27th in yards per carry (3.7). They have averaged just 23.2 rushing attempts per game, which is the fourth fewest carries in the league. In the last four games, they've averaged just 20 runs per game, including 14 in Monday night's loss to the Patriots. They have just 64 rushing first downs, which is the fourth fewest in the league. They have run the ball on just 13 of 43 third downs of three yards or less. RB Terrance West has had just three games with 80 or more rushing yards, including 87 on 23 carries vs. the Giants and 95 on 11 carries vs. the Redskins. While they are middle of the pack in both rushing yards allowed per game (101.4) and opponent rush average (4.1), the Eagles have, for the most part, done a good job against the run. But they have been vulnerable to big plays.

EDGE: Eagles

WHEN THE RAVENS PASS THE BALL

Joe Flacco's overall numbers this season aren't very good. He has a plus-5 touchdown-to-interception differential, is 25th in passing (84.8) and 29th in yards per attempt (6.52). But in the two games since Flacco complained to offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg about the offense being too conservative, the passing game has been much better. Flacco had season highs in completion percentage (76.6) and yards per attempt (8.11) two weeks ago in a win over the Dolphins, and completed 71.2 percent of his throws in Monday night's seven-point loss to the Patriots. Flacco completed passes to 11 different receivers vs. NE. The Eagles need to get pressure on Flacco, but that won't be easy. He's been sacked just seven times in the last five games. The Eagles had success blitzing Kirk Cousins last week, but Flacco has a solid line and is very good against the blitz.

EDGE: Ravens

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Eagles lost ultra-dependable long-snapper Jon Dorenbos last week to a wrist injury and replaced him with Rick Lovato. They also lost their primary KR, Wendell Smallwood (knee). Smallwood will be replaced by RB Kenjon Barner, who had a 61-yard return two weeks ago. Barner also would handle punts if Darren Sproles, who spent the week in concussion protocol, is unable to go. PK Caleb Sturgis has made 28 of 33 FG attempts. The Eagles are first in the league in average drive start after kickoffs (27.9) and opponent average drive start after kickoffs (22.3). The Ravens' Justin Tucker is 9-for-9 from 50-plus yards this season. He had a streak of 35 straight field goals without a miss snapped last week when the Patriots blocked a 34-yard attempt. The Ravens released veteran return man Devin Hester this week. He'll be replaced by inexperienced Michael Campanaro.

EDGE: Eagles

INTANGIBLES

The Eagles have not had much luck on the road, losing six of their seven games away from the Linc. The Ravens are 5-2 at home. This game means nothing to the Eagles and everything to the Ravens, who are just a game behind the Steelers in the AFC North.

EDGE: Ravens

Domo's prediction: Ravens 24, Eagles 10

KEY MATCHUPS

1. Eagles RT Allen Barbre or Isaac Seumalo vs. Ravens OLB Elvis Dumervil: Barbre will start, hamstring permitting. Dumervil will be a handful for him, whether Barbre is healthy or not. ADVANTAGE: Ravens

2. Eagles SWR Jordan Matthews vs. Ravens NCB Jerraud Powers: Carson Wentz will lean heavily on Matthews and his tight ends. Powers is a tenacious corner, but is giving away five inches to Matthews. ADVANTAGE: Eagles

3. Eagles S Malcolm Jenkins vs. Ravens TE Dennis Pitta: Pitta has a team-high 65 receptions. Jenkins did a good job last week against Redskins TEs Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis. ADVANTAGE: Eagles

Hot and Not

HOT

Eagles: TE Zach Ertz. Had 10 catches for 112 yards in loss to Redskins.

Ravens: QB Joe Flacco. Has six TD passes and a 73.7 completion percentage in the last two games.

NOT

Eagles: DE Connor Barwin. Has one sack and one hurry in the last six games.

Ravens: OLB Elvis Dumervil. Missed five games with a foot injury. Has just one sack.

@Pdomo Blog: philly.com/Eaglesblog