Bird bath in Baltimore

Rising Ravens host the Edgy Eagles

Two teams in search for recovery will collide this Sunday (11/23) in Baltimore. The Ravens were treated rudely by the NY Giants and the Eagles threw up all over themselves against the Bengals. Neither can afford a loss this week.

The Ravens are trailing the Steelers now by 1 and 1/2 games after Pittsburgh pushed the Bengals over the cliff on Thursday night so they do not want to fall 2 behind but take it back to 1 game down in the AFC North.

Customarily when you preview the Ravens you usually begin by talking about the defense. But in support of the discovery of some offense in Baltimore let's go on the offensive. We will start of throwing the ball.

Joe Flacco is going to be tested this week against one of the NFL's premier sacking teams. It will be similar however to his experience with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nonetheless Joe will have his head on a swivel. On the other hand in recent years the Eagles undersized defense has had a propensity to decline as the season wears on. It is important that he makes wise but quick decisions against the blitz happy Eagles. The Eagles are also vulnerable in the middle of the field. TE Todd Heap could be a huge factor here.

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The running back trio of the Ravens will also face a solid rush defense in the Eagles interior. But teams have had success at times against them. I suspect the Ravens will keep a nice balanced attack.

Overall the Eagles are the #7 NFL defense so this will not be a cakewalk for the Ravens. It is not the Eagles defense that has let them down this year for the most part.

When the Eagles have the ball it will be the Ravens defense that will apply the hammer against the struggling Eagles. On paper you will see the Eagles ranked #6 so they can move the ball at times. Averaging 26 points also means they can score at times. However they are very erratic. Most of the time they render themselves one dimensional also. They are #4 passing and #26 rushing. That probably will spell trouble for the Eagles in Baltimore. Donovan McNabb is still a quality QB but he is clearly not what he was in his younger years. And Brian Westbrook is hampered with injuries. who knows if he even plays for sure. And when he has played recently, it hasn't been very Westbrook like.

I expect the Ravens to apply more resistance than the Eagles and pull this one out. Baltimore 19 Eagles 13. NO TIE!

RAVENS INJURIES 11/20

Jared Gaither T Shoulder Did Not Participate In Practice -- Daniel Wilcox TE Thigh Full Participation in Practice -- Tom Zbikowski S Thumb Full Participation in Practice -- Willie Anderson T Ankle Limited Participation in Practice -- Lamar Divens DT Shoulder Limited Participation in Practice -- David Hale G Thigh Limited Participation in Practice Derrick Mason WR Shoulder Limited Participation in Practice -- Ed Reed S Neck Limited Participation in Practice -- Samari Rolle CB Shoulder Limited Participation in Practice -- Terrance Copper WR Neck Out (Definitely Will Not Play)

EAGLES INJURIES 11/20

Brian Westbrook RB Knee Did Not Participate In Practice -- Sean Considine S Rib Full Participation in Practice -- Quintin Demps S Rib Full Participation in Practice -- Jon Dorenbos LS Shoulder Full Participation in Practice Kyle Eckel RB Back Full Participation in Practice -- Jon Runyan T Knee Full Participation in Practice -- Brian Dawkins S Groin Limited Participation in Practice -- Shawn Andrews G Back Out (Definitely Will Not Play)

By Andy Natalie
ProFootball-fans.com Baltimore Ravens Correspondent