PHILADELPHIA - This is not the dominating Ravens defense of the Ray Lewis era. Far from it.
The Ravens team that the Eagles will face on Sunday is ranked 31st out of 32 teams in passing defense, allowing 278 yards per game. They're 24th overall on defense, allowing 356 yards per game. As a comparison, the Eagles allow 275 yards per game - total.
While it's true that the Ravens are second on defense against the run, is that because teams are having so much success passing that they don't bother try running? Or could it be because Baltimore's offense is so potent that opponents have to pass because they're falling behind?
Either way, you might have noticed that the Eagles emphasize the run game behind Saquon Barkley, who's coming off a franchise-record night in the Eagles' 37-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Barkley set single-game team records with 255 yards rushing and 302 yards from scrimmage.
Sure, the Eagles can take advantage of the Rams' pass defense, especially if DeVonta Smith returns from his hamstring injury. After all, they have A.J. Brown, who's averaging 91 yards per game receiving. But the Eagles rank 25th in passing offense, averaging 196 yards per game.
Again, is that because their run game is so good, especially with a lead, that the Eagles don't have to pass?
Either way, the Eagles will have to be effective running the ball against the Rams to win, and the Ravens' offense, led by quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, will test the Eagles' top-ranked defense.
Barkley leads the NFL with 1,392 yards rushing, but Henry, who had 140 yards rushing in the Ravens' 30-23 win over the Chargers on Monday night, is close behind with 1,325 yards. It should be noted that the Ravens have played one more game than the Eagles.
"Big, strong, fast, hard to tackle," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said about Henry. "He is as advertised when you see him in person. ... He's able to hit a home run and make you pay if not everybody is on the same page."
So it's very possible that this Eagles-Ravens matchup could be a shootout and not a defensive struggle, while Lewis no doubt shakes his head in disgust.
Here's how we see the game going:
Our prognosticators are Martin Frank (Eagles beat writer/columnist, Delawareonline.com), Greg Giesen (sports strategist, Delawareonline.com), Tom McGurk (sports editor, Courierpostonline.com), Tom Moore (sports columnist, Phillyburbs.com), Bob Jordan (sports editor, app.com), Bert Bainbridge (sports betting analyst & columnist, Northjersey.com), Tom Haines (Pennsylvania state planning), Brad Myers (high school sports writer, Delawareonline.com), Kevin Tresolini, (college sports reporter, Delawareonline.com), Michelle Ganassi (audience director & die-hard Steelers fan, Delawareonline.com), Shane Brennan (New Castle County reporter, Delawareonline.com), Tom Rimback (sports writer, Courierpostonline.com), Brandon Holveck (high school sports reporter, Delawareonline.com)
The Ravens' pass defense is so poor that A.J. Brown could put up receiving numbers similar to Barkley's rushing numbers last week against the Rams. The Eagles will need all of it to hold off Jackson, Henry and Co.
The pick: Eagles 36, Ravens 30
The Ravens have the No. 2 rush defense in the NFL so Saquon Barkley is going to have a tough time. Jalen Hurts may have to carry the Eagles and that should worry Eagles fans. If there's a bump in the road over the final six games this is it.
The pick: Ravens 27, Eagles 24
It may not be the best game of the year, but it has every chance to be the quickest game of the year. The two teams combined for just 44 passes on 128 combined offensive plays. That's 50 carries for Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley. Just as God intended.
The pick: Eagles 31, Ravens 30
Which defense does a better job, the Ravens' in thwarting Saquon Barkley or the Eagles' in slowing down Derrick Henry? That, plus whichever of these two quarterbacks - Baltimore's Lamar Jackson or Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts - makes the big plays and avoids costly mistakes, will decide this terrific showdown.
The pick: Eagles 27, Ravens 23
While Saquon Barkley has been running wild this season, it will be Jalen Hurts' turn to soar this week. Look for the Birds QB to torture the Ravens' secondary in what should be a super showdown in the Charm City.
The pick: Eagles 30, Ravens 20
Do you even need to ask? In this battle of the birds, the Eagles will soar over the Ravens. I hope it is not as close as the Steelers vs Ravens (18-16 Steelers' win) matchup this year.
The pick: Eagles 21, Ravens 3
The Eagles are on a nice 7-0 run that many of their fans probably didn't expect. But the Ravens are also on a high after winning the Harbaugh Bowl.
The pick: Ravens 28, Eagles 21
The Eagles defense ably contained slow-footed pocket QB Matthew Stafford, but can Philly's youthful unit handle the elusive Lamar Jackson? At the season's outset, I had this game checked off as an Eagles loss, but nevermore.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.