After struggling to move the ball all game, the Eagles had a 17-play, 59-yard drive that resulted in a field goal to take a 14-13 lead. However, a deep touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to Steve Smith put the Ravens in front, 20-14, right before the half.Here is the good and bad from today's first half in Baltimore:
What Worked
-The Eagles front seven had a good showing on the Ravens second drive, sacking Flacco and generating a lot of pressure to force a three-and-out. They impacted the game again in the second quarter when Nigel Bradham forced a fumble inside the Ravens' five-yard-line. This group has come under a lot of scrutiny lately, but they have certainly showed up to play today.
–Kenjon Barner is having a good day, especially in the return game. The running back always seems to be very effective with the ball in his hands and converted a pair of third and longs with catches on a screen passes. If he's lost for the second half, Byron Marshall will have some big shoes to fill.
-Smart play by Zach Ertz, batting the loose ball out of bounds after it was fumbled by Ryan Mathews.
What Didn't
-The game certainly didn't start the way Pederson envisioned. The Eagles offensive line is clearly a liability at this point, unable to keep Carson Wentz upright. Them being a weakness doesn't come as any sort of shock, but they have completely handicapped the offense.
-It looked like there was some confusion between Bradham and Malcolm Jenkins before the snap on the 39-yard jet sweep in the first quarter. The safety and linebacker got mixed up with the Ravens' pre-snap motion which left the hole open off the left tackle.
–Nelson Agholor had another terrible drop on a screen pass. One step forward, two steps back.
-The Eagles special teams have been so good all year, but the 34-yard return allowed after taking the lead was a slip-up the team could not afford, especially after taking a lead late in the half.
-Speaking of slip ups, Jalen Mills was playing really well on Smith and Breshad Perriman in the first half, but got flagged for pass interference and got burned for that late touchdown by Smith. Rough drive for the rookie.
Halftime Adjustment
The Eagles need to figure how to get their passing game off the ground. Wentz has been under constant pressure and hasn't had time to find his receivers down the field. Pederson needs to call more screens and pop passes in order to slow down the Ravens' pass rush and get them off of Wentz's back.
Second Half X-Factor: Ryan Mathews
The touchdown run seemed to electrify the running back and breathe new life into an offense that hadn't sustained a drive longer than 16 yards in the game. With a passing game that's struggling, the Eagles will need to stay ahead of the chains on the ground, and that starts with their bell cow Mathews.
