BALTIMORE – It’s hard to call a preseason game a test. The closest you can get is a duel with John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens.
Since Harbaugh took over as head coach of the Ravens in 2008, Baltimore has had a 44-14 record in practice games, including a historic 24-game winning streak that ended last year a week after the Ravens began the preseason with a win over the Eagles.
Philadelphia got as much revenge as possible in the preseason when Baltimore QB4 Emory Jones suffered a strip sack from Patrick Johnson, offering Eagles star kicker Jake Elliott a mulligan after he missed a 50-yard throw just past the right post.
The practice swing for Elliott was enough to ensure a last-minute 49-yard pass sailed through, giving the Eagles a 16-13 victory.
Here is the Eagles stock market in play:
THE BULLS
–RBs Kenny Gainwell and Will Shipley – Saquon Barkley was out, so Kenny Gainwell started and showed plenty of power on his way to 23 yards on four attempts before giving way to rookie Will Shipley, who also had a solid performance with 23 yards on seven attempts. Gainwell was also part of the new kickoff returner duo along with Isaiah Rodgers.
Shipley also came away easy on a play-action look for a 7-yard touchdown reception, despite Kenny Pickett no-selling the feint. Shipley also acted as a personal protector on a couple of Braden Mann punts and had a stop in special teams coverage. The saying “the more you can do” applies to both RBs.
-CB Quinyon Mitchell – Mitchell delivered some nice reps both inside and outside, including a PBU by intercepting a Malik Cunningham route that was nearly an interception. It’s becoming clear that Mitchell will be on the field for a lot of snaps on September 6 in Brazil against Green Bay.
-Edge Jalyx Hunting – The Eagles’ third-round pick is viewed by many as a promising prospect and shows a natural ability to attack the opposing quarterback. He was also active up front and made three tackles.
–Linebacker Nakobe Dean – Dean stays behind Devin White and Zack Baun, so that part isn’t good, but he did the most work when the red light came on, with a solid pass rush and better ability to close in coverage, including a PBU.
-Left Guard Trevor Keegan – The fifth-round rookie was mostly involved in the running game in the first half in the spaces created by the offensive line.
-Substitute for the Eagles Offensive Lineman – All of the second and third team offensive linemen had impressive performances, allowing the Eagles offense to total 146 yards on the ground, with Lew Nichols, Ty David-Proce and Kendall Milton also contributing.
S – Tristin McCollum – The backup safety provided a physical presence on defense with four tackles in the second half, some of which the Ravens will remember.
The butt push – No Jalen Hurts and no Jason Kelce? No problem. The Eagles used the tush push twice on fourth down – once each with Kenny Pickett and Tanner McKee – and converted both times. It wasn’t as easy as usual, but with Hurts in the fray, it will be.
THE BEARS
-PK Jake Elliott – It’s no time for one of the best kickers in football to panic. Still, Elliott slammed a PAT into the uprights and then a potential game-winner from 50 yards out hit the right post with 16 seconds left. That’s especially notable when Justin Tucker is on the other side.
Amazingly, on Patrick Johnson’s next play, Jones fumbled on a strip sack. Elliott calmly and perfectly connected on a 49-yard pass to win the game with no time left on the clock.
Still, this is an uninspiring performance from Elliott.
-Third-down offensive: Kellen Moore’s game plan wasn’t exactly chock full of empty-handed offense, but the Eagles couldn’t stay on the field and extend their offense, making just 1 of 6 third down attempts in the first half. Once McKee was in the game with more reserves, things got a little better.
-Downfield passing game – The Eagles’ longest pass was an 11-yard pass from McKee to Jacob Harris, not exactly an impressive start even in a dull environment with backup players. Philadelphia’s receivers at the bottom of the roster struggled to break away all night, starting with impressive rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins from Baltimore, who blocked Johnny Wilson, John Ross and Joseph Ngata on the Eagles’ first drive.
-Honesty – The Ravens announced 63,636 tickets, as all tickets are sold but maybe 35,000 came to the game.
STATIC STOCKS
Quarterback Kenny Pickett – The backup quarterback started and played the entire first half and into the third quarter, completing 14 of 22 passes for 89 yards with a touchdown. Pickett’s throws were mostly underthrows and there was nothing eye-catching, but he is an improvement over 2023 backup Marcus Mariota.
RG Mekhi Becton – With Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens all on the bench, Becton was the only “starter” on the O-line to play, albeit for a brief appearance before Tyler Steen took over. That bodes well for Becton.
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