Eagles-Ravens Preview

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• McNabb Benched In Eagles' Loss To Ravens

SCOUTING REPORT

Ravens will try to extend McNabb's strugglesRavens coach John Harbaugh takes on his mentor, Andy Reid, in what should be a tough, physical game. Can Baltimore QB Joe Flacco, facing a strong defense for the second consecutive week, handle the blitz package of Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Johnson? Will Eagles RB Brian Westbrook be the first player in 29 games to run for 100 yards on the Ravens? Expect Baltimore to pound the rock in order to take pressure off Flacco, while Philadelphia will come out passing to set up the run. And both teams will emphasize the kicking game in a matchup in which field position will be critical.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
PHI	9-6	416	289	6-2	3-4	2-4	7-5
BAL	11-5	385	244	6-2	5-3	4-2	8-4
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Philadelphia Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT McNabb 60.3 3553 22 10 Kolb 64.6 741 4 3

Baltimore Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Flacco 63.1 3613 21 12 Smith 55.6 24 0 1

Philadelphia Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD McCoy 155 637 4.1 4 Weaver 70 323 4.6 2

Baltimore Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Rice 254 1339 5.3 7 McGahe... 109 544 5.0 12

Philadelphia Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Jackso... 63 1167 18.5 9 Celek 76 971 12.8 8

Baltimore Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Mason 73 1028 14.1 7 Rice 78 702 9.0 1

Full Player Stats: Philadelphia | Baltimore

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	PHI	351.0
	BAL	324.0
Yards Passing	PHI	244.4
	BAL	175.5
Yards Rushing	PHI	106.1
	BAL	148.5
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	PHI	274.3
	BAL	261.1
Pass Yds Allowed	PHI	182.1
	BAL	179.7
Rush Yds Allowed	PHI	92.3
	BAL	81.4

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Series tied 1-1
Oct 31, 2004	PHI 15, @BAL 10

If the Philadelphia Eagles weren't aware a week ago that an NFL game could end in a tie, it's safe to say they are now. That lesson could also serve as a refresher to the franchise's brief history at M&T Bank Stadium.

Coming off the league's first tie in six years, the Eagles will look to begin climbing out of the NFC East cellar on Sunday at Baltimore, where their only previous game against the Ravens also ended in a draw.

Philadelphia (5-4-1) came into last weekend tied with Dallas for last place in perhaps the NFL's toughest division, but with a game at woeful Cincinnati, it seemed the Eagles could begin to work their way back into playoff contention.

But following 75 minutes of game action, they found themselves headed for sole possession of last place in the East after playing to a 13-13 tie with the Bengals, the fourth in franchise history and first in the NFL since Nov. 10, 2002.

"I've never been in a tie, so I don't know how this works in the standings," coach Andy Reid said. "I know it's not good enough. We need wins, and this is not a win."

Most of Reid's players hadn't been involved in a tie, either. Some, including 10-year veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb, admitted afterward they didn't even know an NFL game could end that way, unleashing a rash of criticism toward the team's highest-profile player.

"I guess we're aware of it now," said McNabb, who lost a fumble and threw three interceptions. "In college, there are multiple overtimes, and in high school and Pop Warner. I never knew in the professional ranks it would end that way."

Reid and McNabb arrived together in Philadelphia in 1999, two years after the franchise's lone road game against the Ravens (6-4) ended in a 10-10 tie.

The year before Reid and McNabb came to Philadelphia, current Ravens coach John Harbaugh was hired as the Eagles special teams coach. Harbaugh led that unit until 2007, when he was promoted to secondary coach, lasting one season before being hired by Baltimore.

"I've got a lot of great relationships there," Harbaugh said. "You're going against your brothers. ... But when the game starts, it's going to be our players playing against their players, and whoever plays the best is going to win."

One of Harbaugh's former colleagues is Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, who leads one of the most blitz-happy units in the NFL. No team has gotten to the quarterback more often than Philadelphia this season. The Eagles have 36 sacks, one fewer than they had in 2007, and got to Cincinnati's Ryan Fitzpatrick eight times last Sunday.

Johnson's unit will face another young quarterback this week, and after four straight standout performances, rookie Joe Flacco is coming off a tough outing. The Ravens had won four in a row without Flacco throwing an interception, but he tossed two last Sunday in New York as the Ravens lost 30-10 to the NFC-leading Giants.

Considering Flacco had thrown six touchdowns and compiled a 107.5 passer rating during the previous four games, Harbaugh didn't seem too concerned over a rough day against one of the league's top-rated defenses.

"He'll build from the good plays and the plays that weren't so good," Harbaugh said. "We think he's going to be a heck of a player, we're proud of him. I'm excited to see where he's going to go next week."

The Ravens, returning home after playing three in a row on the road, don't have nearly the amount of sacks (20) that the Eagles do, but they still boast one of the league's best defenses. Baltimore is among the NFL's top three teams in rushing defense (79.6 yards per game), total defense (267.9) and interceptions (15), but is coming off a rare poor performance.

The Ravens let the Giants run for 207 yards, the most allowed on the ground by Baltimore in more than 11 years.

"When you do that against our defense, you have some confidence," defensive tackle Trevor Pryce said. "It wasn't so much that they were ultra-special, but it was more that we were ultra-bad."

New York is the top rushing team in the NFL, but the Ravens shouldn't face nearly as much of a challenge against Philadelphia. Only three teams have fewer carries than the Eagles this season, and they're 26th in the league in rushing yards per game (95.3).

They ran the ball just 18 times in Cincinnati, tied for their fewest attempts this season. With no rushing attack, McNabb threw a career-high 58 passes and turned the ball over four times.

"Could we have dialed more (runs) up? Absolutely," Reid said. "We have to start off faster both in the pass and the run game. No matter what phase of the ball you are picking there, you can criticize."

The Ravens haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 29 straight games, the longest streak in the league. Eagles running back Brian Westbrook has one 100-yard game this season.

Wickersham: The future of the NFL

Seth Wickersham looks at the labor dispute that is hanging over the NFL and what the future may hold for the league.

Scouts Inc.: AFC offseason needs

You can think of this as the ultimate primer for the NFL offseason, or at least the AFC offseason: Gary Horton of Scouts Inc. breaks down all the squads in the AFC and tells you their top three needs to address, be it via the draft or free agency.

Dungy: Vick spoke of redemption during visits

When Tony Dungy visited Michael Vick in prison last year, Dungy says Vick talked about reconnecting with his kids. They met up again Saturday at the Bart Starr Award breakfast as part of Super Bowl week.

Owners talk labor situation; status quo reigns

NFL owners have met for several hours to discuss the labor situation, although it appears they are no closer to reaching an agreement with the players' union for a new collective bargaining agreement.

Eagles' Sheldon Brown Skips Workout

Cornerback Sheldon Brown was a no-show and running back Brian Westbrook was a non-participant because of injury today when the Philadelphia Eagles began eight days of workouts that, while voluntary, are generally regarded as "full-roster" in nature.

Jon Runyan contemplates future

Life is different for Jon Runyan these days, and it has nothing to do with the fact that he spent yesterday afternoon on a two-hour road trip to pick up his pet pig.

Ankle injury sidelines Westbrook

In a lighter moment at camp, the Birds' quarterback duo of Kevin Kolb and Donovan McNabb united in laughter yesterday during the almost-full-squad workout at the team's NovaCare Complex.

Jim Johnson situation a new one for Eagles

Sheldon Brown wasn't there, which is just kind of pointless. Brian Westbrook wasn't there, which is just kind of troubling.

Birds' Eye View: Donovan speaks -- sort of

With the Eagles set to open a full-squad passing camp tomorrow at the NovaCare Complex, Donovan McNabb's team of publicists sent out a release today pitching the 10-year anniversary of the quarterback's charitable foundation.

Ravens' Figurs out until training camp after surgery

The Ravens' Yamon Figurs will be sidelined for the rest of the offseason minicamps because he recently had surgery on his foot.

Troy Smith gets work as receiver

With several wide receivers excused from voluntary minicamp, backup quarterback Troy Smith made a temporary position change to wide-out, running routes and making some impressive catches Tuesday.

McGahee Heads Sparse List of Vets at OTA

The Ravens have had a solid turnout of veterans at all of their voluntary Organized Team Activities this offseason, but running back Willis McGahee was the most notable of those players that opted to attend this week.

Smith Running Routes as Receiver

On one of the final drills of todaya s OTAs, the Ravens faced fourth-and-8 at midfield, and backup quarterback Troy Smith joined a four-receiver set.

Birk Bustling in Baltimore

Matt Birk , the Ravens' newly-acquired center, brings 11 years of NFL experience, six Pro Bowl invites and a reputable charitable foundation to the team.