The Philadelphia Eagles traveled to the Baltimore Ravens with a strong record but arguably a poor reputation.
The Ravens have competed in the AFC for years, from quarterback Lamar Jackson being a two-time MVP to their defense being so good last year that the coordinator is now the head coach.
Add in the punishment of running back Derrick Henry, and several times this season, it seemed fair to ask: Who can stop the Ravens?
On Sunday, with a 24-19 victory, an intimidatingly complete Eagles team did just that.
A defense that has steadily returned to form under coordinator Vic Fangio has slowed Jackson and Henry alike, holding the Ravens to their second-lowest scoring output of the year.
An offense that piled on the Los Angeles Rams last week showed it can do a lot more than beat teams on the playoff-bubble and spiral.
With dual threat Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley’s 117 scrimmage yards, the Eagles improved to 10-2 with a 2.5-game lead in the NFC East.
The Ravens lost 8-5, falling two and a half games behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, and facing bigger questions not about their offensive consistency but about their kicker.
Yes, Justin Tucker’s 13-year career modeled historical accuracy. But with Tucker missing two field goals and an extra-point attempt, those seven points echoed in a game five loss for Baltimore.
Harbaugh says he has no plans to move on from Justin Tucker. “I don’t think it would be wise.”
— Jeff Zrebic (@JeffZrebic) December 2, 2024
The Ravens may have bigger questions than the outcome of a game that bends their road to wild-card status.
The Eagles, after their seventh straight win, kept answering them.
The Ravens got hot early but couldn’t hold up against a strong Eagles D
The Ravens started quickly before faltering.
After managing just one first down before the Eagles punted, the Ravens took advantage to score first. Jackson dropped back, scrambled left, slipped out of a defender’s hands and threw to Jay Flowers down the left sideline for a 40-yard gain that reflected Flowers’ commitment to keeping the scramble play alive. The second-year receiver’s route was to the right side of the field — but he crossed left as Jackson continued, the pair connecting on the key play to set up Tucker’s 34-yard field goal.
The Ravens ran explosive plays again on their next drive. Jackson returned to Flowers, this time 20 yards up the middle of the field while Henry weaved and muscled his way 19 yards up the left side. Two plays later, Jackson threaded a 14-yard touchdown to tight end Mark Andrews. Tucker’s extra-point attempt hit the left upright, but the Ravens quickly got the ball back after linebacker Roquan Smith forced the Eagles’ Jalen Harts into a three-and-out.
The Eagles wouldn’t visit the red zone until halfway through the second quarter, when a balanced drive by five contributors ended with a run-pass option. Hurts hit a 3-yard dump to Dallas Goedert that the tight end took the distance for a 17-yard touchdown.
In a game between teams whose success leans heavily on offseason running back acquisitions, the football gods expressed their gratitude for the irony of each team’s first touchdown as a tight end.
Not to mention the Eagles’ ensuing touchdown drive, a run-heavy series, relied much more on Hurts’ legs than Barkley’s. It was Hurts who scrambled 9 yards to the 1-yard line, and then it was Hurts who scored on a Tisch push — stretching his arm for the end zone after recovering a bad snap that nearly ruined their chance.
Tucker’s 50-yard field goal with 3 seconds left in the second cut the Ravens’ deficit to 14-12 entering halftime. But after a 10-play, 41-drive interception by Eagles breakout linebacker Jack Bown, Tucker missed a 47-yard attempt.
The third quarter featured more defense than offense. But by the fourth, Barkley found his stride and punished the Ravens accordingly.
Barkley hit his gap to go 14 yards up the left side of the field before Hurts took the next defender 11 yards up the middle. Was the Ravens’ defensive line wearing down, or perhaps a swivel-savvy quarterback and running back alike could punish them on the run?
Barkley exploded to the right side, ducking away from the tackle, until he reached the end zone 25 yards downfield.
The Eagles, with a successful extra-point attempt, extended their lead to nine points.
After Philadelphia’s defense forced a turnover on downs, the Eagles drove back down the field and set up a 39-yard field-goal attempt on Barkley’s heavy feed.
The Ravens initially appeared to block Eagles kicker Jake Elliott’s punt attempt with 1:15 to play. But the umpire ruled the Ravens were offside and the Eagles got another chance.
Elliott was better than 35.
The Ravens cobbled together a last-chance drive, a 39-yard Jackson scramble to set up an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Isaiah. Tucker made his extra-point attempt. But the Ravens failed to recover their onside kick, cutting their bid short.
Jackson completed 23 of 36 passes for 237 yards and 79 rushing yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns. Henry totaled 111 yards from scrimmage on 22 touches.
Bown led all defenders with 13 tackles, half a sack and one forced fumble.
