Eagles Preseason: Loss, Defensive Hope
Eagles Backups Fall to Ravens 24-7 in Preseason Opener, Depth Defenders Show Promise
The Philadelphia Eagles fell 24-7 to the Baltimore Ravens in their preseason opener Thursday night, with backups struggling to move the ball on both sides of the ball. The loss was lopsided despite most starters sitting out for both teams, according to The Olympian.
Baltimore's offense rolled up 440 net yards and 31 first downs. Philadelphia managed just 159 net yards and six first downs — a stark gap that told the story of the night.
Andy Dalton Struggles to Move Eagles Offense
Andy Dalton started at quarterback for Philadelphia. He completed just three of six pass attempts for 20 yards. His quarterback rating was a poor 57.6, according to Myrtle Beach Online. The Eagles' offense never found a rhythm with him under center.
The Eagles' lone score came late and did little to change the tone of the game. Philadelphia's backup unit was unable to string together consistent drives all night. The offense looked flat from the opening drive to the final whistle.
Ravens Backups Shine With 440 Yards Gained
Baltimore's depth players put on a strong showing. The Ravens moved the ball consistently, racking up 440 net yards and 31 first downs. That is more than double what Philadelphia produced on the night, according to The Olympian.
The Ravens' offense controlled the clock and field position for much of the game. Their backup unit gave coaches plenty to feel good about heading into the rest of the preseason. Baltimore looked several levels ahead of Philadelphia on this night.
Eagles' End Zone Proved Elusive All Night Long
The end zone was "nearly as elusive for the Philadelphia Eagles as the intrigue that surrounded the game," according to The Daily Item. That sums up a night when Philadelphia's offense rarely threatened to score. Six first downs in a full game is a troubling number for any unit.
The 17-point deficit was built on Philadelphia's inability to sustain drives. Baltimore's defense made stops when it needed to. The Eagles' backups were outclassed in nearly every phase of the game.
Silver Lining: Some Depth Defenders Showed Promise
Not everything was grim for Philadelphia. Some of the Eagles' backup defenders showed flashes of promise, according to Myrtle Beach Online. Coaches will look at that bright spot as they evaluate the roster over the coming weeks.
Preseason records rarely predict regular-season success. But the Eagles will need their backup players to grow quickly. With starters resting, this was the night for depth players to make a case — and most came up short. Philadelphia has work to do before the season begins.
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