Baltimore Ravens

Eagles at Ravens: Game preview, odds, prediction

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:34 a.m. ET

Fansided, James Dudko/Fansided

Preview, odds and prediction for the Baltimore Ravens game against the Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium in Week 15.

The Baltimore Ravens are favorites for their game against the suddenly free-falling Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium in Week 15. Baltimore needs this win to stay in touch with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North.

Fortunately for the Ravens, they have a defense that can feast on struggling rookie Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz. His struggles and inexperience against one of the NFL‘s most imposing front sevens is why the Ravens are 5.5-point favorites, according to Odds Shark.

The same source has the over/under at 41.5. It’s generous to opt for the over since both offenses have been struggling.

Wentz may have hit the rookie wall since a 3-0 start, but no such excuse exists for the way Joe Flacco has been playing. The veteran has been wildly erratic in recent weeks, missing open receivers and producing turnovers to increase the burden on Baltimore’s overpowering defense.

Flacco’s woes forced the Ravens into a game of catch-up against the New England Patriots in Week 14. He threw a pick and missed several clutch throws, forcing the defense to stay on the field too long.

Not surprisingly, the Ravens couldn’t chase down Tom Brady and the Pats. The 30-23 loss dropped Baltimore a game behind the Steelers. It also highlighted the main problem with this team. Namely, it’s lack of a credible running game.

Neither Terrance West nor rookie Kenneth Dixon have been able to carry the load this season. The Ravens are averaging just 86 rushing yards per game, according to Sporting Charts. They are also averaging a mere 3.7 yards per attempt.

With no support from West and Dixon, Flacco had to air it out 52 times in New England, a week after throwing 47 passes against the Miami Dolphins.

The Eagles can keep Flacco’s offense one-dimensional provided their D-line rises to the occasion. Specifically, tackle Fletcher Cox has to perform after a big game in Week 14.

Cox was in on 1.5 sacks during the loss to the Washington Redskins. The problem is Cox doesn’t always turn up for road games.

By contrast, the Ravens can always count on Timmy Jernigan and Brandon Williams to make life difficult for offenses. Their ability to create a major push inside gives edge-rushers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil easy routes to the quarterback.

The matchup between Baltimore’s defensive front and a capable Philly O-line will decide this game. If the Eagles don’t win it, Wentz won’t get on track and his offense will stay stalled.

The Ravens are also likely to still struggle for points, but Flacco should find Steve Smith and Mike Wallace often enough to build a lead Wentz won’t be able to claw back.

Pick: Ravens 24, Eagles 17