15 takeaways from preseason-opening win vs. Ravens

BALTIMORE – This wasn’t exactly the start of something like a Miracle at M&T Bank Stadium, but it was pretty darn fun and special and a great way to open the preseason. The Eagles defeated the Baltimore Ravens 16-13 on Friday night on Jake Elliott’s 49-yard field goal as time expired, but that doesn’t tell the half of what transpired in the last minute of play.

To recap: The Eagles, with Tanner McKee at quarterback, moved from their 33-yard to Baltimore’s 32 in 13 plays (and two penalties) to set Elliott up for a 50-yard field goal attempt with 21 seconds remaining and score tied, 13-13. His kick hit the right upright (he had earlier hit the left upright on a PAT in the first quarter) and the game remained tied.

But Patrick Johnson came to the rescue.

On the very next snap, he strip-sacked quarterback Emory Jones for an 8-yard loss and recovered the loose ball at the Ravens’ 32-yard line and the Eagles were, amazingly, back in business. McKee gained 1 yard on the Brotherly Shove (the Eagles used it with great success throughout the game) to give Elliott another chance and he nailed the kick to give the Eagles the road victory.

“It felt great! Whooooo yeahhhh,” Johnson yelled as he came off the natural turf at M&T Bank Stadium. “It was awesome to step up.”

It sure was. The Eagles did a lot of good things to open the preseason and on a night when the starting offense warmed up and then spent the night on the sidelines and much of the projected starting defense played just one series, it just felt good. Very, very good. Some of the things that stood out on a night that started a slam-bang preseason schedule that is intended to give the Eagles their best view of the entire roster.

One thing is clear: There are going to be some very tough decisions, because this is an excellent roster, and some of the younger players – and some new veterans, as well – are showing the best versions of themselves …

1. The offense played ground-and-pound with a punishing running game that accounted for 146 yards on 38 carries. Draft pick Will Shipley gained 23 yards on 7 carries and had a 7-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown. Kendall Milton gained 39 yards on 9 carries and Tyrion Davis-Price picked up 34 yards on 6 carries. These were tough yards, inside yards, and the running back depth showed up. Kenneth Gainwell had 4 carries and 23 yards and continued his outstanding summer. Good stuff with Saquon Barkley watching from the sidelines.

2. Loved seeing rookie wide receiver Johnny Wilson do some good things early on. He had one reception for 7 yards and also did a nice job blocking on two Britain Covey bubble screens. Wilson is coming along well.

3. Covey, for his part, had a very nice game with 4 catches for 25 yards, along with a 26-yard punt return.

4. Kenny Pickett played into the third quarter at quarterback and completed 14 of 22 passes with the scoring play to Shipley. He’s going to be an outstanding backup to Jalen Hurts and if he needs to play, Pickett has all the tools to win and make big plays.

5. The new kickoff rule? Nothing to really go crazy over as both teams played it pretty straight. There were six returns on seven kickoffs – the Eagles averaged 22.3 yards on their three returns and Baltimore averaged 27 yards on three returns.