Eagles-Ravens: 5 matchups to watch

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The Eagles (5-8) have virtually no shot of making the playoffs, but this game means an awful lot to the Ravens (7-6) who are still clearly in the AFC playoff hunt.

The Ravens will be hungry in this game coming off a tough loss to the Patriots last week, while the Eagles were beaten up last week by Washington.

At least last week, the Eagles' effort wasn't brought into question. With three weeks left in the 2016 season, it's all about pride and building for the future. That could get a boost with a win this week that would snap a four-game losing streak.

Here are five matchups to watch:

Mike Wallace vs. Leodis McKelvin
The Eagles have given up 50 pass plays of 20-plus yards this season, which ties them with the Raiders for the league lead, a dubious honor. Big plays have been a problem for the Eagles all season and McKelvin gave up a big 80-yarder to DeSean Jackson last week. Sure, McKelvin made up for it with a pick-6, but the DeSean touchdown was huge.

The downfield threat for the Ravens is Wallace, who at 30 years old has had a rejuvenating season. He has a chance to pass the 1,000-yard threshold for the third time in his career and the first time since 2011.

Isaac Seumalo vs. Terrell Suggs
Allen Barbre (hamstring) is questionable coming into this game after missing practice all week. If Barbre can't go, Seumalo will make his first career start at right tackle. He's started two games in spot duty at right guard for Brandon Brooks over the last three weeks.

The Eagles never really envisioned Seumalo playing tackle; they saw him more as an interior lineman, but injuries and a lane Johnson's suspension have forced them into this position.

On Sunday, Seumalo will just have to deal with a six-time Pro Bowler is Suggs, who has eight sacks this season.

Carson Wentz vs. Eric Weddle
Wentz had a much better game last week against Washington than in the previous few weeks, but this Ravens defense is pretty good. It'll be up to Doug Pederson to try to put him into good positions, which might mean staying committed to the run game, even if it isn't working that well.

Weddle is 31 but has four interceptions in his first season with the Ravens and has two in the last two weeks. This is a battle of inexperience vs. a savvy veteran.

Marshal Yanda vs. Fletcher Cox
For much of the 2016 season, Cox has been double and sometimes triple-teamed by opposing offenses. But Yanda has been a Pro Bowler in each of the last five years and an All-Pro in each of the last two. If any team is going to feel comfortable with a 1-on-1 battle against Cox, it'll be the Ravens.

If Cox does see 1-on-1 most of Sunday, it'll be up to him to win that battle more often than not. Against Washington, Cox picked up his first sack in two months.

Dennis Pitta vs. Malcolm Jenkins
Jenkins and the Eagles did a good job against Washington's tight ends last week, which was a good sign. Because at times this season, the Eagles have struggled against tight ends.

Pitta isn't the weapon he once was, but Joe Flacco still looks his way. Two weeks ago, he had a nine-catch, two-touchdown performance against the Dolphins.

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