BALTIMORE — The skies cleared and the sun came out in time for the game, but the Eagles still reversed course and benched their starters in the season opener against the Ravens, even though they had originally planned to use them.
Three defensive players did not play – cornerback Darius Slay, defensive end Josh Sweat and safety CJ Gardner-Johnson, who sustained a shoulder injury that he is currently working on.
Kenny Pickett started at quarterback and played a series into the third quarter. He completed 14 of 82 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown pass. Tanner McKee was the backup and completed 6 of 16 passes for 39 yards.
Patrick Johnson was the hero, making a strip sack and recovering the fumble on the first play after Jake Elliot slammed one into the right post from 50 yards with 16 seconds left.
After Johnson’s heroic effort, Elliott got a second chance and converted from 49 yards as time expired, giving the Eagles a 16-13 victory.
There was more good than bad for the Eagles, so I’ll list six things I liked and five I didn’t like.
Here are 6 things I liked:
Monster rides. The Eagles’ two scoring drives were marathons. The first, initiated by Kenny Pickett, covered 75 yards in 8:50 minutes and 15 plays. The second line executed this well. From right to left, it was Darian Kinnard, Trevor Keegan, Toth, Tyler Steen and Fred Johnson. The line imposed its will on the running game during the march, using three different monster 15 plays that lasted 8:50 minutes and covered 75 yards. The Eagles used three running backs on the drive – Kenny Gainwell, Shipley and Lew Nichols.
Nine of the 15 plays were runs, gaining 36 yards. The longest gain was a 9-yard throw from Kenny Pickett to John Ross.
On the second touchdown drive, this time initiated by Tanner McKee, the offense used 17 plays to cover 74 yards in 7:31 minutes and convert three of four third downs. Tyron Davis-Price and Nichols ran well behind a third-team line that consisted, from left to right, of Max Scharping, Nick Gates, Dylan McMahon, Matt Hennessy and Kinnard. Nichols finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.
Both offensive lines seemed to play well, which is an encouraging sign.
Jeremiah Trotter, Jr. The rookie linebacker ran with Nakobe Dean for the second team and recorded a sack for zero yards that required a tight tackle that, had Trotter not made the play, would have resulted in a first down. Instead, the Ravens were forced to punt.
Brotherly nudge. It’s alive and well. The Eagles have won 2 of 2 and we have your CEO coach Nick Sirianni to thank for that.
Early in the game, facing a fourth-and-1 attempt at his own 34-yard line, Pickett buried his head in the pile and followed Brett Toth, Tyler Steen and Trevor Keegan for a two-yard gain. However, on the next play, the attack was thwarted when Steen was whistled for holding and the Eagles were unable to gain a first down and were forced to punt.
The Eagles did it again on fourth and 1 with 2:45 minutes left in the fourth quarter on their 48-yard line. McKee took the ball, McMahon led up the middle.
Who needs Jason Kelce or Jalen Hurts?
Will Shipley. The rookie running back scored the Eagles’ only touchdown of the first half by charging out of the backfield and taking an easy 7-yard toss from Kenny Pickett. He also made a special teams tackle, covered a punt well and was adequate in pass defense.
Great Britain, Covey. There’s no doubt that Covey can be useful in the passing game. He caught all four of his passes for 25 yards. He also showed why he’s one of the game’s best punt returners by taking a ball back for 27 yards.
5 things I think I didn’t like:
Jake Elliott. When he had a chance to win the game with a 50-yard field goal with 16 seconds left, he slammed the ball into the right post. He also missed a PAT. Luckily, it’s the preseason. Maybe the Pro Bowl kicker got that out of his system. The kicker may have won the game from 49 yards, but how often does he get a second chance just seconds after missing what would have been the game-winning shot?
No deep shots. The Eagles offense stayed normal and didn’t use deep throws. Everything was underneath. We’ve seen the Eagles throw deep in practice, so this was probably a result of normality. Their longest completion was 11 yards.
Ainias Smith. The rookie receiver was targeted once in the pass game, and although his catch yielded seven yards and he converted a first down on third down, he dropped a punt return late in the third quarter, but fortunately the ball bounced out of bounds.
Albert Okwuegbunam. The tight end showed no sign of being part of the team, had trouble catching the ball, and caught only one pass in three attempts.
John Harbaugh. The decision to kick a field goal after reaching the three-point line to tie the score at 6-6 was ridiculous. What would that accomplish? It’s not like kicker Justin Tucker needs the work. If the Ravens don’t score, the Eagles’ second offense is at their goal line. Why not go for it? Then, instead of trying to take a two-point lead with 5:46 left in the game, Harbaugh decides to kick a PAT to tie the score at 13-13. He deserved to lose this game.
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