Our game-by-game preview of the Eagles' 2016 NFL schedule continues with Philadelphia's Week 15 opponent: the Baltimore Ravens. (Click here for the Week 1 - Week 2 - Week 3 - BYE - Week 5 - Week 6 - Week 7 - Week 8 - Week 9 - Week 10 - Week 11 - Week 12 - Week 13 - previews.)
The Ravens are the last non-NFC East team the Eagles will play this season. Note that Philadelphia will host home games against their division rivals in Week 14, 16, and 17.
Baltimore had a rough campaign last year. The Ravens went 5-11, which marked the first season in John Harbaugh's head coaching tenure where his team finished with a losing record. Part of the Ravens' misfortune was due to circumstance. They had to play five of their first seven games on the road. Baltimore had to play on back-to-back trips way out west twice within a span of a little over one month. Matters were only made worse when the Ravens got bit bad by the injury bug. Baltimore eventually lost starting quarterback Joe Flacco to a season-ending injury.
Despite their misfortune, the Ravens only lost two games by more than one possession. Both of those losses took place late in the season while Flacco was out. They were against playoffs teams: the Seahawks and the Chiefs.
It's hard to imagine the Ravens will have so much bad luck again this year. Baltimore is primed to bounce back in 2016. This game should be a tough one for the Eagles.
Here’s a more in-depth look at the Ravens from our SB Nation writers over at Baltimore Beatdown.
Notable free agent additions:
Eric Weddle DB, Mike Wallace WR, Benjamin Watson TE
Notable free agent departures:
Kelechi Osemele OG, Matt Schaub QB, Courtney Upshaw OLB,
Trades:
None
Draft picks expected to contribute as rookies:
1st round (6th overall) OT Ronnie Stanley - With Eugene Monroe was cut it is clear the Ravens have complete faith for the young gun to become a blindside blocker
2nd round (42nd overall) LB Kamalei Correa - Some uncertainty where Correa will be playing, as the Ravens are testing the speedy LB at inside & outside positions. Nonetheless expect Correa to be a rotational necessity
4th round (134th overall) RB Kenneth Dixon - The tailback from La. Tech is expected to become the starter by mid-season by some pundits. Will be interesting come later down the road, with Justin Forsett & Javorius Allen ahead in the Depth Chart currently.
6th round (182nd overall) ST/PR/KR Keenan Reynolds - The former Navy QB is transitioning towards a receiving role, but for the first time in Ravens history the depth chart is more stout. Expect Reynolds to fight for Special Teams and PR/KR snaps.
Biggest offseason addition:
Eric Weddle - No doubt the highly intelligent and skilled safety is the biggest addition. Once Reed left the back end of the defense seems in disarray. Expect him to ground the secondary and make the Ravens defense great again!
Biggest storyline heading into training camp:
Health - Baltimore suffered loses to starting OLB, QB, RB, WR, WR, TE, LT and many second string role players.
Under-the-radar storyline heading into training camp:
Dennis Pitta return - The reason for calling this under-the-radar is we've heard this story twice. It's less notable now.
Notable injuries heading into training camp:
LOL. . . - Joe Flacco ACL & MCL, Steve Smith Sr. Achilles, Terrell Suggs Achilles, Jimmy Smith screw removal, Dennis Pitta dislocated hip, Breshad Perriman ACL minor tear, Crockett Gillmore shoulder surgery