Eagles-Ravens scouting report

If it weren't for last week's games, Sunday's matchup between the Eagles and Ravens would have had a different feel.

The Eagles slipped by the Browns, 17-16, in the opener behind the strength of their much-maligned defense and not the high-octane offense of the last several seasons.

For the Ravens, their defense was dominating as usual, but the big story to emerge from Monday night's 44-13 victory over the Bengals was a Joe Flacco-led passing offense that looked as efficient as ever.

A game once billed as the Eagles' aerial attack vs. Baltimore's stout defense could turn on its head if season openers are any barometer.

And yet, we're talking about Cleveland's offense and Cincinnati's defense. Only so much should be taken from one game. It wouldn't surprise in the least if the Eagles' offensive playmakers — Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy — and the Ravens' defensive stalwarts — Ray Lewis and Ed Reed — had the greatest impact on Sunday's result.

Here's how the teams match up:

When the Eagles run

Eagles running backs logged 23 carries against the Browns, which is a decent number but not enough considering the offense had 88 plays. There should be more balance this week, but don't expect a 50-50 or even a 60-40 split out of Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg. The situation behind LeSean McCoy is a little cloudy with Dion Lewis coming back from a hamstring injury and Bryce Brown still green in the picking-up-the-rush department. When the Eagles did run last week, the offensive line opened some gaping holes for McCoy, who ran 20 times for 110 yards. Center Jason Kelce and left guard Evan Mathis will have their hands full with Haloti Ngata, a four-time all pro defensive end in the Ravens' base 3-4 defense. A slimmed-down Lewis remains a tackling machine even at 37. Jameel McClain, of George Washington High, partners with Lewis at inside linebacker on run downs.

Edge: EVEN

When the Eagles pass

Vick's four-interception disaster against the Browns has been dissected like a lab frog. Of his 56 pass attempts, 10 were atrocious. That's nine too many. Expect to see a little more of the short, timing-based throws Reid-Mornhinweg dialed up for Vick last October at Washington after the quarterback tossed four picks at Buffalo. The Ravens defense has always been on the more aggressive side and new coordinator Dean Pees appears to have maintained that philosophy. He blitzed Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton 16 times. Vick continues to have trouble recognizing weakside corner blitzes. He'll also have to contend with Reed's reading his eyes. Lewis may be the heart and soul of the Ravens D, but Reed is the brains. The safety set an NFL record for interception return yards during his 34-yard return for a touchdown last week. The Eagles' battered receiving corp - Jeremy Maclin is questionable and Jackson has a sore hamstring - will have its hands full with cornerbacks Lardarius Webb and Cary Williams.

Edge: RAVENS

When the Ravens run

Ray Rice wasn't needed much last week, which is scary. The Ravens running back, maybe the most versatile offensive player in the NFL, had only 10 carries for 68 yards. He also caught three passes for 25 yards. Last season he led the league in yards from scrimmage (1,364 rushing and 704 receiving). The Ravens use Rice in a variety of ways. As a rusher, some of his best carries come with fullback Vonta Leach leading the way. The Eagles struggled with elite-level tailbacks last season. Linebacker DeMeco Ryans led a unit that held Browns rookie Trent Richardson to 39 yards on 19 carries. Richardson is not in the same class as Rice - at least not yet. And the Eagles linebackers won't be able to cheat with Flacco and not Brandon Weeden under center. A positive sign up front was the run-stopping effort of defensive end Jason Babin.

Edge: RAVENS

When the Ravens pass

Flacco ran the no-huddle on 21 of 58 snaps last week. To combat it, the Eagles defense won't huddle either and will have all defenders look to the sideline for signals instead of waiting for Ryans to call the play. Flacco and the Ravens passing game, once a liability, got off to a good start. He completed 22 of 29 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns. Second-year wide receiver Torrey Smith has the jets to stretch the field. The Eagles have talked about allowing their corners to follow one receiver this season. Could the equally-as-fast Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie shadow Smith? Receiver Anquan Boldin was Flacco's favorite target last year. He is as effective in the slot as he is outside. If Boldin (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) goes inside, will 5-9 rookie Brandon Boykin take him in the nickel defense or will this be one of those times we see the 6-2 Nnamdi Asomugha move into the slot? The Eagles have a few favorable matchups on the line. Rookie right tackle Kelechi Osemele will have to contend with Babin. Michael Oher, of The Blind Side movie fame, replaced veteran Bryant McKinnie at left tackle this week and will have Trent Cole in his mug.

Edge: EAGLES

Special teams

The Ravens released AFC championship game goat Billy Cundiff in August, seven months after he missed a 32-yard field goal that would have sent the game into overtime. He was beat out by rookie Justin Tucker, who made all three of his field goal attempts, including a 46-yarder, against the Bengals. The jury is still out on Alex Henery and whether he can make a pressure kick. The Eagles kicker missed a 45-yarder in Cleveland. He has missed four field goals in his short career. Three have come in the fourth quarter. Eagles punter Chas Henry had the best game of his two-year career, averaging 55 yards on six kicks last week. Both teams have above-average cover units.

Edge: EVEN

Intangibles

The Eagles are 21/2-point favorites, but the line has little to do with how both teams are playing. The Ravens have a short turnaround after opening Monday night and have to drive up I-95 to face an opponent that has something to prove. Expect a much sharper performance from Reid's group as he faces one of his former assistants in Ravens coach John Harbaugh.

Edge: EAGLES

Contact Jeff McLane at 215-854-4745, jmclane@phillynews.com or on Twitter @Jeff_McLane.