The Eagles (5-8) travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens (7-6).
With four straight losses and eight in their last 10 overall, the Eagles will almost surely miss the playoffs, but can play spoiler as the Ravens battle for a spot in the AFC picture.
Here are our (cough) expert predictions for the Week 15 matchup.
Reuben Frank (6-6)
Lose.
OK, I guess I have to write more than just "lose." But with this team that's all that really matters anymore. They are just not good enough to compete with a good team. The offense has scored 15 touchdowns in the last 10 games, the defense has allowed 26 or more points in five of the last six games. They've gotten progressively worse on both sides of the ball. They're giving up the third-most big plays in the NFL. They're producing the second-fewest big plays in the NFL. They have two interceptions in their last five games. They have eight sacks in their last seven games. They have four offensive touchdowns in their last three games. They haven't scored more than two TDs in a game since Week 3. They haven't scored more than one offensive TD in any first or second quarter all year.
The one thing that could keep this game close is the Ravens coming off a very physical Monday night road game in Foxboro and playing on a short week. But ultimately, I just don't think the Eagles have the firepower on either side of the ball to keep up.
Ravens 30, Eagles 13
NFL
Dave Zangaro (5-8)
The Eagles are losers of four straight, and although they played a much better game against Washington last week, this is a tough game.
The Ravens are coming off a tough and emotional loss to the Patriots and now they're desperate. They have a pretty tough defense and the Eagles might be starting a rookie out of position at right tackle against a future Hall of Famer in Terrell Suggs.
And the Eagles will also be without Darren Sproles, who is one of their biggest weapons on offense and special teams.
Oh yeah, and the Eagles are on the road, where they've picked up just one of their five wins this season.
Ravens 25, Eagles 16
Derrick Gunn (6-7)
Darren Sproles (concussion) will sit this one out. Rookie Issac Seumalo has been practicing at RT because Allen Barbre is questionable and Brandon Brooks is battling anxiety issues. RB Wendell Smallwood is done for the season,which forced the Eagles to sign Byron Marshall from the practice squad. This is a lot to ask of Carson Wentz and his patched up offense to go out and succeed against Baltimore's 4th-ranked defense that is first against the run (75.5ypg). Elvis Dumervil, Terrell Suggs, and CJ Mosely will be coming after Wentz. Jason Kelce could be overmatched again this time by 6-foot-1 335 pound nose tackle Brandon Williams.
The Eagles' pass defense has given up a league-high 50 pass plays of 20 or more yards. Joe Flacco will take a few deep shots looking for Mike Wallace or Breshad Perriman. Steve Smith, in his 16th season, may be 37 years old, but is still effective and does not shy away from going over the middle.
The Ravens' offensive line has had health issues, so the Eagles' defensive front could have a big day. Baltimore will have a chip on its shoulder after last Monday night's loss at New England. The Ravens are not a high scoring team so it should be a competitive game for the most part, but the Ravens should pull away at home,
Ravens 27, Eagles 14
Ray Didinger (6-7)
Picking Eagles games this season has been a challenge (just check the records) but this week, not so much. The Ravens are the better and healthier team, they have more incentive and they are playing at home where they have won four in a row. It is hard to imagine the Eagles, with their shortage of playmakers, having any success moving the ball against this Baltimore defense. Losing Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood takes away the possibility of a big play on special teams.
So how do the Eagles score? I don't know.
The Ravens aren't exactly a dynamic scoring machine themselves. They have scored fewer offensive touchdowns than the Eagles which is pretty amazing when you consider the Eagles haven't scored more than two offensive touchdowns in a game since Week 3 against the Steelers. The Ravens running game ranks 28th in the league and quarterback Joe Flacco is having a lackluster year. He is 25th in passer rating, (84.8) just two spots ahead of Carson Wentz. Flacco leads the league with 549 pass attempts. Yes, Marty Mornhinweg is calling the plays in Baltimore. How did you guess?
The Ravens keep their playoff hopes alive for one more week.
Ravens 21, Eagles 10
Andrew Kulp (6-7)
I'm sure the moment I start picking against the Eagles they'll turn around and win one. This week, I just can't come up with an excuse to go with them.
The Ravens have a bunch of receivers who can get vertical and hit on some big plays downfield, like any team that plays the Eagles. It's an ugly game and not particularly interesting, but what are you going to do, go outside in this weather?
Ravens 20, Eagles 17
Corey Seidman (6-7)
Just don't see a path to victory for the Eagles. The Ravens are going to make them one-dimensional early and have more talent on defense than the Eagles do on offense.
With Baltimore's strength against tight ends, at least one and probably two Eagles wide receivers, need to have a big day. Not exactly something to count on.
I do think the Eagles' defensive line will bounce back and get to Flacco a few times in addition to limiting RBs Kenneth Dixon and Terrence West, but the Ravens have one of the better pass blocking O-lines in the NFL with Marshal Yanda on one side and Ricky Wagner the other.
Ravens 24, Eagles 13
Andy Schwartz (6-7)
Just a bad matchup here in a bad location.
The 7-6 Ravens are at home making a playoff push while the Eagles are playing out the string.
The Ravens’ D is allowing just 18.2 points per game, fourth in the league. It’s good against the run and against tight ends. Not a good sign for the Eagles, who have been depending on tight ends Zach Ertz and Trey Burton of late.
Baltimore is averaging only 21.5 points a game, 21st in the league, so maybe the Eagles’ D keeps this close.
But barring big plays from the Birds’ D and/or special teams, Baltimore wins.
Ravens 26, Eagles 16