Ravens' Dominant Preseason Start
Ravens Rookies, Depth Performers Shine in Dominant 24-7 Preseason Win Over Eagles
Key Points
Philadelphia's offense struggled to sustain drives, finishing with 83 passing yards and 76 rushing yards, going 0-for-9 on third down and committing 10 penalties for 96 yards.
Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano threw for 224 yards and a touchdown, with Ja’Kobi Lane catching the 16-yard TD pass; Lane was among several rookies to contribute as Baltimore leaned on depth.
Philadelphia showed some offensive flash from Cole Payton, who accounted for 82 total yards and Philadelphia's only touchdown (a 45-yard rushing effort and a role that added a different dynamic).
Baltimore's defense dominated, holding the Eagles to zero third-down conversions and keeping Philadelphia under 100 total yards for most of the game.
The Ravens enjoyed a clear statistical edge overall, finishing with 30 first downs to Philadelphia's 6 and controlling time of possession by a wide margin.
The Baltimore Ravens crushed the Philadelphia Eagles 24-7 in the 2026 NFL preseason opener, a game that was never close. Baltimore outgained Philadelphia 440-159, racked up 30 first downs to the Eagles' 6, and held their opponents scoreless until the game was already decided, according to Yahoo Sports.
The lopsided result marked a strong debut for first-year Ravens head coach Jesse Minter. Philadelphia, meanwhile, struggled in nearly every phase — going 0-for-9 on third down and committing 10 penalties for 96 yards, per WGAL.
Ravens Rookies Shine in Minter's Coaching Debut
Jesse Minter's first game as Baltimore's head coach could not have gone much better. The Ravens controlled the ball, scored 24 unanswered points, and got strong play from their young depth players. WGAL reported that the Ravens beat the Eagles 24-0 before Philadelphia got on the board late.
Rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano led the charge, throwing for 224 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane — a third-round pick out of Southern California — caught all three of his targets for 38 yards and a score, including a 16-yard touchdown, according to CBS Sports. It was Lane's first career game action as a pro.
Ravens Defense Suffocates Eagles Offense All Night
Philadelphia's offense had almost nothing going. The Eagles finished with just 83 passing yards and 76 rushing yards. They went 0-for-9 on third down — meaning they never once converted a third-down play into a first down. Baltimore's defense was simply dominant, per Yahoo Sports.
The Ravens held Philadelphia under 100 total yards through the first three quarters. By that point, the game was already out of reach. Baltimore's 30 first downs to Philadelphia's 6 tells the full story of how one-sided the contest was, according to Yahoo Sports.
Cole Payton Provides Philadelphia's Only Real Spark
The brightest spot for the Eagles was running back Cole Payton. He racked up 82 total yards and scored Philadelphia's only touchdown on a 45-yard rushing effort. His speed and ability to make defenders miss gave the Eagles offense a different look when he was on the field.
Rookie quarterback Tanner McKee also showed some promise in limited action. But Philadelphia's drive issues — short series, quick punts, and constant penalties — made it nearly impossible to build any momentum. Ten penalties for 96 yards is a tough hole to dig out of in any game, preseason or not, per CA Yahoo Sports.
What the Blowout Means for Both Teams Going Forward
Preseason results do not count in the standings, but they do matter for roster decisions. Baltimore used this game to show off its depth. Several young players stepped up and made plays. That is exactly what a coaching staff wants to see in August, when roster cuts loom.
For Philadelphia, the evaluation process continues. The Eagles need to fix their penalty issues and find ways to sustain drives before the regular season. Baltimore's depth and defensive pressure gave them a clear preview of what teams will face this year, according to Yahoo Sports.
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