Dec 1, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) rushes for a touchdown during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Tommy Gilligan
Led by an MVP candidate at running back and the downfall of arguably the greatest kicker in NFL history, the Eagles defeated the Baltimore Ravens 24-19 Sunday to earn their 10th win of the season.
Here's four takeaways from the eighth win in a row for the red-hot Eagles.
Not only was Eagles vs. Ravens the most anticipated game of the Sunday slate, but it was billed as a matchup between the top two contenders for Offensive Player of the Year — if not MVP — in Barkley and Henry.
Neither had a performance Sunday that will cement their candidacy for OPOY, but it was Barkley who pulled away from Henry late in the game, helping the Eagles to defeat the Ravens. His 25-yard touchdown rush with less than eight minutes left in the game allowed the Eagles to increase their lead to two possessions:
Saquon Barkley is on another level right now 🔥
pic.twitter.com/7zhzjbmrqV
Barkley finished the day with 107 rushing yards, 63 of which came in the fourth quarter. Mind you, he had -1 rushing yards in the third quarter.
Henry, meanwhile, was held to 82 yards on 19 carries. He had some nice carries Sunday, but it was hardly the latest chapter on a legendary December resume that features a ton of 150+ yard performances.
Many, myself included, believe that Tucker is the greatest kicker in NFL history. But the five-time All-Pro turned 35 in November, and appears to have hit a wall this season.
After Lamar Jackson capped off an eight-play, 82-yard drive with an beautiful touchdown pass to tight end Mark Andrews, the Ravens had a chance to take a 10-0 lead late in the first quarter. Instead, they had to settle for 9-0 because Tucker doinked the extra-point attempt off of the left upright.
To his credit, Tucker rebounded to hit a 50-yard field goal just before the end of the first half, allowing the Ravens to trim the lead the Eagles had since taken to 14-12. He wasn't able to carry that momentum into the second half, though.
The future Hall of Famer pulled a 47-yard field goal attempt to the left on the first drive of the second half for the Ravens.
John Harbaugh again turned to his kicker at the culmination of the next drive, this time asking him to kick a 53-yard field goal. He yanked it wide right:
"That is concerning as it gets later in the year if I'm a Ravens fan." - Tony Romo on Justin Tucker missing another field goal pic.twitter.com/ynU0hr422F
As noted by Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports, Tucker has now missed eight field goal attempts this season, a new career-high. Whether it's the yips, declining with age or some combination of the two, Tucker cost the Ravens seven points Sunday. And that went a long way in deciding the game.
We mentioned Carter in last week's takeaways, but obviously almost all the focus went to Barkley. So let's circle back, because the second-year defensive tackle continues to pop.
Carter is good for at least one or two plays a game where he jumps off the screen. The 23-year-old didn't take long to make that play Sunday, tackling the explosive Zay Flowers in the backfield in the first quarter on an end-around that he snuffed out immediately:
Jalen Carter is a machine 💪 pic.twitter.com/2BO3GZo0Vn
Carter finished the game with three tackles for a loss, two quarterback hits, a sack and a quarterback hit. It still feels like he's just scratching the surface, which is scary considering how dominant he looks at times.
The Eagles will return to Lincoln Financial Field to host Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers in a game where Philadelphia figures to be heavily favored.
