Thankful For Saquon Barkley and this Defense — Eagles Beat Ravens 24-18

After a 2-2 start to the season and heading into the bye week there was a lot of anger and nervousness in the city. The team looked like they had not shaken off the collapse of the 2023 season, and we were looking like we were headed for a middle-of-the-road season.

Since that bye week, the Eagles have run off an 8-game winning streak and look like a real Super Bowl contender. We have very few seasons as fans that can be as special as this one came to be, so cherish it Philadelphia.

The Defense Is Elite

Coming into the season the biggest question on the team was the defense. Now, they are the team’s greatest strength. Lamar Jackson had statistically been the best quarterback in the NFL so far this season, and the Eagles’ defense managed to keep him out of the end zone all game long. Jackson finished the game 23/36 for 237 yards and two touchdowns. The one touchdown game in garbage time, so for most of the game they held him to just one touchdown. The Ravens were able to move the ball at times, but the Eagles’ defense consistently managed to come up with big plays in their territory to force field goal attempts.

There is no doubt that Justin Tucker’s struggles aided this win. Tucker missed three field goals and one extra point attempt, leaving 7 points on the field. Even with those points added, the Eagles’ defense would have only allowed 19 points during non-garbage time minutes. Vic Fangio’s bend but don’t break philosophy worked to a tee today and has worked fantastically all season long.

The Eagles’ run defense did a great job against Derrick Henry as well. They held Henry to 82 yards on 19 carries, but most importantly they limited the big plays. Jalen Carter made some fantastic plays again in the backfield, and Jordan Davis stepped up in a big way. But the biggest play of the day against Henry came from Cooper DeJean. DeJean had Henry lifted up off the ground on a third down stop, which essentially ended the game. DeJean has made an incredible impact since being inserted into the starting lineup, and he was massive again tonight.

Saquon For MVP

Coming into this game the Ravens were the second-ranked defense against the run, and no player had rushed for over 100 yards against them. Until Saquon Barkley. The Ravens did a great job at stopping Barkley for the first three-quarters of the game. But, like he always does, Saquon came through in the 4th. Barkley broke the game-winning touchdown on a 25-yard run in the 4th quarter to extend the Eagles lead. Time after time Barkley has put this team on his back, and won them games. Barkley finished the game with 23 carries for 107 yards. He may not win the MVP, but he is certainly deserving of the award.

My biggest worry with this Eagles team has always been, if a team stops Saquon, can we throw to a win? Tonight tested that worry for a long time until Saquon broke his run, but it was a very slow game for the offense. There were multiple times where they went three and out in massive situations, and just couldn’t get anything going in the passing game. With DeVonta Smith out it’s obviously going to be harder to pass the ball, but this is something they will have to figure out going into the playoffs.

Super Bowl Aspirations

With this win today the Eagles will have thrusted themselves into the Super Bowl spotlight. At 10-2 and in the midst of an 8-game win streak, they look like the best team in football. They have to take advantage of this team this year. When the Eagles lost in 2022 there were a lot of people saying it’s okay because they will be back, while they may be proven right it is the wrong mentality. Saquon is having a historic year, and the Eagles have cheap elite talent on defense. These types of teams and years don’t come around that often, and the Eagles have to capitalize on it with a Lombardi Trophy.

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